Arizona doctor realizes remarkable recovery from COVID-19 after last resort ECMO intervention

Phoenix – Doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center recently said they treated men with COVID-19. The man is described as one of the most ill patients in the United States. After more than two months at the hospital, the patient returned to their family on May 15.

Karl Vidal, 46, is a family doctor, husband, and three fathers. Now he can add COVID-19 (New Coronavirus Infection) (# If there is no character limit, add parentheses when first appearing List survivors.

The doctor didn’t think he was going to make it. He was on medical treatment with a last resort called ECMO (External Membrane Oxygenation). Karl went against the odds.

“I have no previous medical conditions and the virus has killed me,” he said.

Arizona Coronavirus: Updated Case Count

Vidal was healthy before catching COVID-19. He says he had succumbed to the virus and was hospitalized within a few days. He was transferred to because his condition deteriorated Saint Joseph Hospital ECMO treatment is performed.

“Approximately half of patients who receive an ECMO will not survive. Only put patients in Ecmo if their chance of survival is near zero. Dr. Ross Bremner, Executive Director of Norton Chest Research Institute, St. Joseph.

Brenner said his condition worsened while Karl was at the ECMO. His left lung was saturated with blood, he was bleeding into his airways and air was leaking from his lungs.

Map: Arizona Coronavirus Cases by Zip Code

Karl spent 55 days in the hospital. For 34 days, he wore a ventilator, fell into a medically induced coma, and spent 16 days at ECMO.

Karl is not only emotionally overwhelmed by his recovery, but also overwhelmed by his doctor.

“It gives us meaning to everything we do, it exposes ourselves and our family … it’s all worth it,” Bremner said. ..

Karl spent some time in rehab, learning to walk, talk, and live again. On Friday he finally returned to his family home.

“I’ve always been involved in competition, living tomorrow’s life and not focusing on what’s in front of me. I don’t know when the final day will come. Most important thing to me Is a family and friend, let people know things you don’t talk to and love often, “Karl said.

Carl has survived the longest period of time at the Arizona ECMO. His recent X-ray of his lungs says he expects complete recovery with almost no damage from COVID-19.

Details of COVID-19

Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Of course, these are similar to common colds and flu.

A common cold is expected to begin with sore throat, tingling, coughing, runny nose, and / or stuffy nose. Influenza symptoms are more severe, usually sudden, and may include high fever.

The symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. According to the World Health Organization, they usually include fever, dry cough, and noticeable shortness of breath. A few cases develop pneumonia, which is of particular concern to the elderly and people with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Relation: Flu, cold, or COVID-19? Various viruses show similar symptoms

Currently, there is one major difference between influenza and coronavirus. There are vaccines that help prevent the flu, and it’s not too late to get the flu. You can’t prevent getting a coronavirus, but you may be in a better position to fight it.

To protect yourself, wash your hands thoroughly and keep it away from your face. Also, do not stand near crowds or people.

And if you find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms, don’t go to your doctor’s office directly. Authorities argue that it only puts more people at risk. Call ahead and ask where you need to be.

Continued coverage

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