Surviving 48 Hours Without Lungs: Successful Transplant After Life Support With Artificial Lung

Survived 48 Hours on Artificial Lung After Removal of Infected Lung, Transplant Successful
Maintaining Good Quality of Life Two Years After Surgery

A case has been reported in the United States where a patient survived for 48 hours on an external artificial lung after the removal of a non-functioning lung, ultimately undergoing a successful lung transplant. It has been reported that the patient has continued to maintain a normal daily life for two years since the surgery.

On January 29 (local time), local media outlets cited the international journal 'Med' in reporting that Professor Ankit Bharat and his research team at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine published their findings on a case in which they removed an infected lung, connected the patient to an externally developed artificial lung, maintained the patient's life, and successfully performed a lung transplant.

The patient treated by the research team was a 33-year-old man suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), whose lungs were unable to absorb sufficient oxygen due to a viral infection. Despite the use of a ventilator, the patient developed a drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, leading to pus accumulation in the lungs and septic shock. Subsequently, the patient's heart and kidney functions rapidly deteriorated, placing him in critical condition.

The medical team determined that a lung transplant was necessary, but concluded that the patient would not survive the surgery if the infected lung was left in place. Therefore, they decided to remove the infected lung and connect the patient to an external artificial lung developed by the research team to stably maintain systemic blood flow, including to the heart.

A case has emerged in the United States where a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) successfully had the infected lung removed and was kept alive by connecting to an artificial lung. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Professor Bharat explained, "Although there have been previous cases where oxygen supply was maintained with external devices after lung removal, it was difficult to consider these true 'artificial lungs' because they could not sufficiently maintain cardiac blood flow. This device, however, stabilizes blood flow and reduces the risk of blood clot formation."

Analysis of the removed lung tissue revealed extensive scarring and severe immune damage. The research team explained that the lung was in a state that could not recover on its own.

Once the infected lung was removed, the patient's condition improved rapidly. Heart and kidney function recovered, and after enduring 48 hours dependent on the artificial lung, a donor lung was secured and the transplant was successfully completed. As of two years after the surgery, the patient continues to maintain good lung function and lead a normal life.

Professor Bharat stated, "Previously, lung transplants were mainly performed for patients with cystic fibrosis or chronic lung disease, but this is the first case to show that lung transplantation can also be a life-saving option for certain severe acute respiratory distress syndrome patients."

However, the research team noted that this artificial lung procedure requires a high level of expertise and skilled medical staff, so for the time being, it will only be possible at select medical institutions. Professor Bharat added, "We have demonstrated that even in acute situations, lung transplantation can save lives. We hope that, with future commercialization of artificial lungs, more hospitals will be able to use this as a standard treatment."