{"id":105782,"date":"2021-05-06T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T20:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=105782"},"modified":"2025-10-23T08:25:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T12:25:26","slug":"ecmo-technology-saves-life-of-covid-patient","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2021\/05\/06\/ecmo-technology-saves-life-of-covid-patient\/","title":{"rendered":"ECMO technology saves life of COVID patient"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Alejandro<\/p>\n

The story of Alejandro Zacavelazques who was treated at Lutheran Health Hospital using the VV ECMO Veno-Venous Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation treatment.<\/p>\n

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ECMO Technology Saves Life of COVID Patient<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (May 4, 2021) \u2013 When Alejandro Zacavelazques experienced shortness of breath and weakness, he sought care at Kosciusko Community Hospital\u2019s Emergency Department, where he tested positive for COVID-19. <\/p>\n

Zacavelazques\u2019 oxygen level was so low that he required a breathing tube and was transferred to Lutheran Hospital\u2019s COVID ICU. His lung condition worsened and the breathing tube and ventilator were no longer sufficient to help him. The intensive care physicians called in the Cardiothoracic Surgery team, who placed Zacavelazques on VV ECMO (Veno-Venous Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a mechanical assistance device that provides prolonged lung support. <\/p>\n

Once Zacavelazques was COVID negative, he was transferred to Lutheran Hospital\u2019s Cardiovascular ICU. In this environment, he was able to walk with the VV ECMO machine with the assistance of nurses and physical therapists. After being supported on VV ECMO for two months, Zacavelazques was eventually weaned off the ventilator and transferred to a rehab facility. As time passed, he required less oxygen and showed progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlejandro sought help immediately and was able to get treatment early,\u201d said Hannah Copeland, MD, FACS, FACC, medical director, Heart Transplant at Lutheran Hospital.\u201cVV ECMO is a rescue therapy for lung failure that has helped patients with severe pneumonia, flu, asthma and now COVID. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to survival.\u201d <\/p>\n

Due to the lifesaving efforts of the ECMO team, Cardiothoracic Surgery, ICU doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and many other staff, Zacavelazques\u2019 condition was stabilized and organ function maintained.<\/p>\n

\u201cVV ECMO is a lifesaving option for severely ill COVID patients and can potentially help many, like Alejandro, survive severe acute respiratory distress illnesses and infections,\u201d concludes Copeland.<\/p>\n

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About Lutheran Health Network<\/strong>
\nThe foundation of Lutheran Health Network is built on an experienced team of more than 6,600 employees working together with more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers. The network\u2019s more than 100 access points in northeastern Indiana include acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, physician offices, urgent care clinics, and outpatient centers. For more, visit lutheranhealth.net<\/a>. Dupont, Lutheran, Rehabilitation, St. Joseph and The Orthopedic hospitals are owned in part by physicians.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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COVID-19 World Wide Web Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Allen County Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance and Local Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n

  • Home Care Isolation Guidances<\/a><\/li>\n
  • COVID-19 Employee Illness Recomendations<\/li>\n
  • City of Fort Wayne’s Rent and Utility Assistance Program – City’s new release<\/a><\/li>\n
  • Allen County Department of Health information and stats<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    State of Indiana Web Resources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n