Avoiding ECMO in a patient with "pump" lung post-cardiopulmonary bypass.

As newer anesthesia ventilators are developed their capabilities are becoming more similar to intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators. However, in situations where there is severe decrease in lung compliance, an ICU ventilator may be superior in its ability to regulate inspiratory flow improving both ventilation and oxygenation. We present a case where an ICU ventilator was brought to the operating room and used in the treatment of ARDS post-cardiopulmonary bypass and ultimately allowed us to avoid extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy.