Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is the recommended treatment for fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia. However, in pregnancy fetal viability during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is generally poor resulting in either therapeutic or spontaneous abortion. The present case is to our knowledge the first report on the treatment with nitric oxide to improve oxygenation in a pregnant woman with fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia. Adding 20 parts per million nitric oxide to the inspiratory gas increased arterial oxygen saturation from 75 to 88%, and it could be kept at this level. Due to a vaginal bleeding, an emergency Caesarean section was performed with successful outcome for the fetus. The mother started to improve after delivery and could be weaned from nitric oxide after 5 days. We conclude that inhalation of nitric oxide may be a good alternative to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the treatment of fulminant pulmonary failure due to varicella pneumonia in pregnancy.
