Pathophysiology-directed therapy for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in acute myeloid leukemia with hyperleukocytosis

A 17-year-old with acute myeloid leukemia M4 and hyperleukocytosis developed fulminant hypoxemic respiratory failure at presentation. After failing to respond to conventional mechanical ventilation and leukapheresis, he was started on inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) with dramatic improvement in oxygenation. Following graduated chemotherapy, his pulmonary status again deteriorated coincident with tumor lysis. After failing to respond to increases in NO, he was placed in prone position with immediate improvement. The patient was successfully extubated. Patients with myelomonocytic leukemias are at risk for early death due to pulmonary complications. The use of adjuvant therapies directed by specific pathophysiology might decrease this risk.