ECMO Support in HIV/AIDS with Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia: A Case Report and Short Review

Abstract Background We report a case of a patient with novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) was successfully treated with veno-venous (V-V) ECMO owing to refractory hypoxemia and pneumomediastinum, and eventually discharged. In addition to the case report, several previous reports were reviewed for the discussion of some key therapies. Case report: A 30-year-old male patient was admitted to the our hospital presented with the shortness of breath. The patient showed a deteriorated oxygenation due to increasing pulmonary infiltrates and development of pneumomediastinum, necessitating ECMO. The diagnosis of ARDS, HIV, PJP was made. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) was provided for the treatment of PJP. After 7 days of ECMO therapy, the patient was successfully decannulated and eventually discharged. Conclusions ECMO may benefit adult patients with HIV/AIDS and refractory hypoxemia due to severe PCP. Post-ECMO antiretroviral therapy could improve outcomes.