Man Survives 48 Hours Without Lungs

A pioneering medical procedure allowed a 33-year-old patient to survive for two days without lungs. The patient, critically ill with a severe lung infection, underwent an operation where his damaged lungs were removed. An artificial lung system was then employed to oxygenate his blood, a critical step in his recovery.

Dr. Ankit Bharat, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern University, led the surgical team. Their unique artificial lung design maintained a balanced and continuous blood flow to the heart. This innovative approach helped avoid potential heart attacks by minimizing the risk of blood clots, which are a common concern in such critical cases.

The patient had developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) triggered by the flu, compounded by bacterial pneumonia. His lungs, heart, and kidneys began to fail, leaving a double lung transplant as his only hope. After the infected lungs were removed and his condition stabilized, donor lungs became available, and the transplant was successfully performed.

More than two years later, the patient has fully recovered and returned to his daily life with good lung function. The findings detailing this groundbreaking case were published in the journal Med.