Author/Authors :
Shin, Beomsu Department of Critical Care Medicine - Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Cho, Yang Hyun Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Choi, Jin-Ho Department of Medicine - Samsung Medical Center - Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine - Seoul, Korea , Yang, Jeong Hoon Department of Critical Care Medicine - Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine - Seoul, Korea
Abstract :
Spinal cord infarction is an uncommon, but serious disorder characterized by severe motor
impairment and bladder and bowel dysfunction. Spinal cord infarction is likely caused by hypoperfusion at the thoraco-lumbar spinal cord due to diverse reasons. An 81-year-old woman
without motor or neurologic dysfunction presented with cardiogenic shock due to acute
myocardial infarction. We performed veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA
ECMO) to maintain adequate organ perfusion. Lower limb weakness was noted on day 1 of
ECMO support. Although the symptom persisted, we could not carry out further evaluation
because of her hemodynamic instability. After removal of ECMO, spinal magnetic resonance
imaging was performed and showed a signal abnormality extending from the level of T5 to
the conus medullaris. The patient underwent conservative management, but eventually experienced limb paralysis. Herein, we report a case of spinal cord infarction in a patient with
myocardial infarction during VA ECMO support.
