Many patients affected by influenza A (H1N1) present with or develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In some severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is given for the treatment of refractory hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia that occurs despite mechanical ventilation and rescue ARDS therapies.We present the case of a 38-year-old woman who at the 25th week of gestation developed A (H1N1) flu and fulminant respiratory failure. For this reason, the patient was transferred to our institute in October 2009 as a potential candidate for ECMO rescue treatment.At admission and immediately after ECMO placement, fetal monitoring was done, with reassuring results. A comprehensive microbiological and virological screening confirmed H1N1 infection.
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