Abstract

Anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction is a medical emergency. In rare cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can complicate this disorder. This is a case report of an anaphylactoid reaction complicated with ARDS that was successfully treated using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). A 52-year-old female patient developed sudden dyspnea immediately after she received gadolinium contrast injection and 80 mg of oral propranolol. She progressed rapidly to a state of shock and her chest radiograph showed pulmonary edema. The shock and pulmonary edema did not respond to epinephrine or steroid injection. On the next day, the permeability edema worsened and laboratory test revealed extreme hemoconcentration. The oxygenation goal was not achieved with mechanical ventilation alone, thus ECMO was applied as well. The patient showed clinical improvements on the 3rd day and was weaned from ECMO on the 4th day. She was completely recovered from shock and respiratory distress by day 5. The patient was discharged from hospital without further complications.

• Keywords: anaphylaxis;respiratory distress syndrome;extracorporeal membrane oxygenation;gadolinium;propranolol;