# Fulminant respiratory failure due to severe pneumothorax after re-do coronary artery bypass grafting treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

## TL;DR

A 79-year-old man with severe lung complications after heart surgery was successfully treated with a specific type of life support.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without femoral cannulation for postoperative respiratory failure.

## Key findings

- Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was effective in treating massive pneumothorax after redo heart surgery.
- Early rehabilitation was possible due to the treatment approach used.
- The method avoided femoral cannulation, which is a novel application in this clinical scenario.

## Abstract

This case report details the management of a 79-year-old man who developed massive postoperative pneumothorax following redo coronary artery bypass grafting due to severe lung adhesions. We successfully treated the patient using veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation without femoral cannulation, allowing for early rehabilitation initiation. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a reasonable option for cases of severe respiratory failure due to pneumothorax with lung destruction caused by re-sternotomy during re-do cardiac surgery.