ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine is a device that takes over some of the functions of the heart and lungs, thus providing the much-needed rest for both these vital organs. It has been seen that a malfunction of lungs is a major cause of COVID-19 fatalities. At times, patients have needed a lung transplant to stay alive. A South Korean woman aged 56 years was in a similar situation recently and was fighting for her life in Mexico. She had developed pulmonary fibrosis due to the underlying COVID-19 infection. The only way to survive was a lung transplant.
Air Ambulance to the Patient’s Rescue
Lung transplant is a major medical procedure, and naturally, the Korean woman and her family wanted to get it done in their own country. South Korea enjoys a robust healthcare system just like the United States. Moreover, it is always better to undergo a major procedure surrounded by people that one is familiar with. However, there was one problem. The woman had to be flow in this critical condition for an extended period. This is when the ECMO machine came into the picture. The air ambulance used was literally an ICU with this equipment.
The Air Ambulance Creates a Record in the Process
The US-based air ambulance Jet Rescue was tasked with this challenge. After extensive consultation with medical experts, it was deemed that the risk was worth taking to save the woman’s life. A Learjet-36 was chosen for the task. The journey was chalked out by scheduling periodic stops for oxygen and fuel refills. The air ambulance finally took off and successfully transported the patient to South Korea. During the process, the air ambulance company made a record. It now holds the distinction of being the longest medical flight with an ECMO machine onboard. The feat is quite an encouragement as this equipment can prove life-saving for patients with COVID-19 infection.
