Because many patients with severe respiratory failure may be too unstable to transport, we specifically designed the Penn Lung Rescue Program to be mobile. This means that we can travel directly to other hospitals to initiate ECMO and then safely return with the patient to Penn Medicine.
What is ECMO?
ECMO is a mechanical device that temporarily replaces the work and function of injured lungs.
The system is similar to cardio-pulmonary bypass during heart surgery. Blood is drained from the body using a catheter placed in a central vein. A mechanical pump draws blood from the vein into the circuit. The blood then flows through a device called a membrane oxygenator. This oxygenator removes carbon dioxide and supplies oxygen to the blood just as healthy lungs would. The blood is then pumped back into the body through a second catheter. For respiratory support (veno-venous ECMO), blood is returned to a central vein or for cardiac support (veno-arterial ECMO), blood is returned to a central artery.
What is the goal of ECMO?
Penn Lung Rescue's strategy is to use veno-venous ECMO to provide a bridge to recovery for patients with reversible lung failure. In some cases, we may need to cure an infection; in others we need to remove a blood clot. The goal is to stabilize the patients long enough to fix the problem that caused their illness and minimize trauma to healthy lung tissue so they can have a meaningful recovery.
Patient Selection Criteria for Penn Lung Rescue
Penn Lung Rescue uses ECMO to support patients with severe but potentially reversible respiratory failure, such as acute respiratory distress system from flu, pneumonia, drowning, or pancreatitis.
VV ECMO Selection Inclusion Criteria
- Severe, reversible lung disease
- PaO2 < 80 on 100% FiO2 or pH < 7.2 with hypercarbia unresponsive to conventional management
- No contraindications to heparinisation
- Mechanical ventilation for ≤ 10 days
- Age ≤ 70
- BMI ≤ 45
VV ECMO Selection Inclusion Criteria for patients with COVID-19
- Mechanical ventilation for ≤ 7 days
- Age ≤ 50
- BMI ≤ 35
- No renal failure
- No pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum
Are there other programs like Penn Lung Rescue?
ECMO is a relatively common therapy, but Penn Lung Rescue is the only program in the region that has the ability to come to a local hospital and initiate ECMO prior to transportation back to Penn Medicine. This is an enormous benefit for patients who have become so sick that transporting them without ECMO could be dangerous. There are other programs like ours in the United States, but the closest to our area is in New York City.
Penn Lung Rescue Team
- Jacob Gutsche, MD, co-medical director
- William Vernick, MD, co-medical director
- Wilson Szeto, MD, co-medical director
- Emily MacKay, MD
- Asad Usman, MD, MPH
- Audrey Spelde, MD
ELSO Excellence in Life Support Award
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Presbyterian Medical Center was awarded the Gold Level Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). The ELSO Excellence in Life Support Award recognizes extracorporeal life support programs worldwide that demonstrate an exception commitment to evidence based processes and quality measures, staff training and continuing education, patient satisfaction, and ongoing clinical care.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Presbyterian Medical Center demonstrated extraordinary achievement in the following three categories:
- Excellence in promoting the mission, activities, and vision of ELSO;
- Excellence in patient care by using the highest quality measures, processes, and structures based upon evident;
- Excellence in training, education, collaboration, and communication supporting ELSO guidelines that contributes to a health environment for patients, families, and staff.
Contact Us to Make a Patient Referral
Penn Lung Rescue is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us through the Penn Transfer Center at (877) 937-7366 and ask for Penn Lung Rescue.
News Media Links About Penn Lung Rescue