Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated with Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Therapy for Verapamil Toxicity, Successfully Treated with Veno-Venous ECMO

Calcium channel blocker (CCB) overdose is a potentially fatal poisoning. The use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy for CCB poisoning has emerged in the past few years. In 2017, the American College of Medical Toxicology published interim guidance for the use of ILE resuscitation in these cases. We report an uncommon complication of ILE, acute respiratory distress syndrome, treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Case report: A 40-year-old hypertensive woman presented with shock (blood pressure 62/34 mmHg, pulse 86/ min) following ingestion of 4,800 mg verapamil slow release and 1,500 mcg clonidine during a suicide attempt. She was treated with calcium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, IV high dose insulin, IV glucagon, cardiac amines and vasopressors without response (blood pressure 69/37 mmHg, pulse 78/min). ILE was initiated, and two hours later, she developed acute respiratory failure necessitating intubation and mechanical ventilation. Due to poor oxygenation (pO2 44 mmHg; FiO2 100%) emergent veno-venous ECMO was instituted. After one hour her blood pressure increased to 104/50 mmHg (pulse 80, pO2 75 mmHg), and continued so until weaning from ECMO and ventilation. Conclusion: Acute respiratory distress syndrome can be a major life threating complication following ILE; venovenous ECMO is suggested for its treatment.