Drowning remains a significant global health concern, claiming over 300,000
lives annually, with a disproportionate impact on young individuals in low-and
middle-income countries. Conventional mechanical ventilation, while common,
falls short in addressing the hypoxemia and hypercapnia often observed in severe
near-drowning cases. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
(vvECMO) emerges as a critical intervention for cardiopulmonary failure postdrowning.
This case report delves into the pivotal role of ischemia–reperfusion
injury (IRI) in a near-drowning-related pathology. Following the initial insult,
reoxygenation exacerbates the inflammatory cascade, resulting in a surge of
pro-inflammatory mediators. In this context, CytoSorb®, a hemoadsorption
cartridge, demonstrates promise by effectively removing these mediators from
circulation. This report outlines its application in a critically ill adolescent patient
who experienced near-drowning, presenting a compelling case for CytoSorb as
an adjunctive therapy in managing IRI-induced hyperinflammation.
