Severe bronchospasm during cardiopulmonary bypass is an unusual but
potentially fatal event. No literature has previously reported such an
event observed during surgery for type A aortic dissection. Herein, we
report on a case of severe bronchospasm following cardiopulmonary bypass
during aortic surgery for type A aortic dissection. Bronchospasm did not
respond to any conventional therapy, necessitating extracorporeal
membrane oxygenation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation thus serves as
an alternative and effective therapy for refractory bronchospasm.