Veno-venous or veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for massive pulmonary embolism: a case report

With regard to the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) with circulatory and respiratory collapse and thrombolytic contraindications, current guidelines and researches usually give the priority to veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO). However, the objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the effective use of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) in a 35-year-old pregnant woman with MPE complicated by hemorrhage, persistent hypoxia and multiple cardiac arrests.