Technique

The Use of Extracorporeal Circulation in the Treatment of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Bronson Methodist Hospital and PSICOR, Inc, Kalamazoo, Ml

^* Direct communications to: William B. Pelley, PSICOR, Inc., 810 East Grand River, Brighton, MI 48116

Abstract

(J. Extra-Corpor. Technol. 18[4] p.225–227 Winter 1986) The use of a modified extracorporeal circuit has many uses in the treatment of several disease processes. Chief among these are partial and total support for cardiac and respiratory failure, isolated limb perfusion for the administration of chemical agents in the treatment of some forms of cancer, and in support of certain neurological procedures. Previously unreported in perfusion literature is the use of extracorporeal circulation in support of bronchopulmonary lavage as a treatment for severe pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. A 31-year-old male with this condition was successfully treated using bronchopulmonary lavage with a modified extracorporeal circuit. The technique is described.