48 hours without lungs: artificial organ kept man alive until transplant
8 days ago
- #medical innovation
- #artificial lungs
- #transplant surgery
- A 33-year-old man survived for 48 hours without lungs using an external artificial-lung system.
- The artificial-lung system maintained blood flow to the heart, reducing clot risks, unlike previous devices.
- The patient had acute respiratory distress syndrome and a severe infection, leading to lung removal.
- After lung removal, the patient's condition improved rapidly, allowing a successful double lung transplant.
- The artificial-lung system could help other critically ill patients prepare for lung transplants.
- The patient showed no signs of organ rejection or lung function issues years post-transplant.