Man kept alive on artificial lung for two days while awaiting double lung transplant

Surgeons at Northwestern University report a 33-year-old man with severe lung damage was sustained on a temporary artificial lung for two days until donor lungs became available, and he later received a double lung transplant and has since returned to daily life.

A 33-year-old man with severe lung damage was sustained on an artificial lung system for two days while donor lungs were sought, surgeons at Northwestern University reported. The damage was reported as arising after a flu infection that progressed to acute respiratory distress and bacterial pneumonia. Surgeons removed the infected lungs and used a temporary device to maintain oxygenation and circulation until donor lungs were available. The patient later underwent a double lung transplant and surgeons say he has returned to daily life with good lung function. Key points: - Surgeons reported they removed irreversibly damaged lungs and used an artificial lung system to sustain the patient for two days while awaiting donor organs. - A double lung transplant was performed once donor lungs became available. - More than two years later, the patient is reported to be living daily life with good lung function. Summary: Surgeons say the case shows that some patients with severe acute lung damage may require double lung transplantation and that temporary artificial lung support can bridge patients until donor lungs are found. Undetermined at this time.