Successful treatment of pulmonary contusion following chest trauma using poly-2-methoxyethyl acrylate, a biocompatible polymer surface coating for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

CASE: We report a patient with life-threatening lung contusion who was rescued using poly-2-methoxyethyl acrylate, a biocompatible polymer surface coating for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which enabled reduction of the dose of systemic anticoagulation to prevent circuit thrombosis. OUTCOME: A 56-year-old man was transferred to our hospital due to blunt chest trauma following a 30-m fall into water. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed bilateral lung contusions with bilateral pneumothorax. Although drainage tubes were inserted and ventilation with positive-airway pressure was applied, PaO 2/FiO 2 remained <80 mmHg. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was started with heparin (5,000 units) to prevent circuit thrombosis on day 1. No significant bleeding complications or clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit were observed, with stable activated clotting time of 100-160 s without further anticoagulants.
CONCLUSION: Our case showed that poly-2-methoxyethyl acrylate-coated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be safely applied to patients with lung contusion associated with chest trauma.