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Long Island Man Survives Near-Fatal Lung Injury with Advanced ECMO Therapy at Northwell Hospital

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 12:12 GMT by Staten Island Advance

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Long Island Man Clinches Survival After Near‑Fatal Lung Injury with Advanced ECMO Therapy at Northwell Hospital

In a dramatic turn of events that underscores the life‑saving potential of modern critical‑care technology, a Long Island resident survived a near‑fatal lung injury thanks to a specialized extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program run by Northwell Health. The patient—identified as 45‑year‑old John “Jack” Anderson—saw his life literally turn around after a 12‑hour, 18‑day stay in the intensive‑care unit (ICU) at Northwell’s North Shore campus, where doctors employed the sophisticated, life‑supporting procedure to keep his body oxygenated while his lungs healed.

The Incident and Initial Hospitalization

Anderson was involved in a high‑speed, multi‑vehicle collision on a Long Island expressway in late November. He sustained a complex rib fracture, a severe pneumothorax, and extensive lung contusions. Emergency responders transported him to Northwell’s North Shore Hospital, where he was immediately intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation.

Despite aggressive ventilation strategies—including low tidal volumes and carefully titrated positive end‑expiratory pressure (PEEP)—his arterial blood gases remained dangerously abnormal. The surgical and trauma teams, led by Dr. Karen Li, chief of thoracic surgery, observed that Anderson’s oxygen saturation was failing to rise above 80 % even with maximum ventilator settings. “His lungs were essentially non‑functional,” Dr. Li explained. “We had to intervene beyond the usual measures.”

Turning to ECMO: What It Is and Why It Works

ECMO, short for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a sophisticated rescue therapy used in cases of severe cardiac or respiratory failure when conventional ventilation or cardiac support is insufficient. In the case of respiratory‑only ECMO—known as venovenous (VV) ECMO—blood is drained from a large vein, pumped through an artificial lung (the “membrane”) that removes carbon dioxide and supplies oxygen, and then returned to the venous system. The procedure effectively bypasses the lungs, allowing them to rest and heal while the body continues to receive the oxygen it needs.

Northwell’s ECMO program, directed by Dr. Matthew O’Neill, has been in operation since 2013 and is considered one of the most experienced units in the region. According to a recent Northwell Health fact sheet, the program has an 80 % success rate in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and traumatic lung injury. The program’s success is credited to a multidisciplinary team—including cardiothoracic surgeons, intensivists, perfusionists, and specialized nursing staff—who coordinate the complex logistics of ECMO therapy.

Anderson’s ECMO Course

On the morning of December 3, after consultation with the ECMO team, Anderson was cannulated in the right internal jugular vein and the femoral vein using a dual‑cannula technique. The procedure lasted roughly 45 minutes, and the patient was placed on ECMO immediately after.

Over the next 10 days, Anderson’s oxygenation improved dramatically. The ventilator settings were gradually weaned, and his lung compliance—an indicator of how easily the lungs inflate—rose steadily. “We monitored him around the clock,” said perfusionist Anna Ortiz. “The key is to keep the blood flow stable, avoid clotting, and allow the lungs to rest.”

A major hurdle in ECMO therapy is the risk of bleeding and clotting, especially when the patient is on anticoagulation to prevent thrombosis in the extracorporeal circuit. Anderson’s anticoagulation regimen was carefully balanced under the guidance of Dr. Li and Dr. O’Neill, who employed thromboelastography to monitor clotting factors in real time.

By December 12, Anderson’s arterial blood gases were within normal limits, and the team began to taper the ECMO support. After a 16‑hour trial off the ECMO circuit, the patient remained stable, and the cannulas were removed on December 13.

The Road to Recovery

Even after ECMO removal, Anderson’s recovery required a robust rehabilitation program. He spent a total of 18 days in the ICU, followed by a week in a step‑down unit where physical therapy focused on breathing exercises and gradual ambulation. Dr. Li emphasized that the early mobilization of patients on ECMO is critical to prevent muscle atrophy and reduce long‑term pulmonary sequelae.

Anderson was discharged home on December 28, with a home oxygen concentrator and a comprehensive outpatient care plan that includes regular follow‑up with the pulmonary and cardiothoracic teams. He expressed profound gratitude to the Northwell staff: “I never imagined I’d be alive after such a bad injury,” Anderson said. “The ECMO team literally saved my life.”

ECMO in the Broader Medical Landscape

The use of ECMO has seen a significant uptick in recent years, particularly in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic, which pushed the boundaries of how many patients can be supported when conventional ventilation fails. A 2024 review in The Lancet highlighted that ECMO can reduce mortality in severe ARDS from 45 % to 30 %, though it remains a resource‑intensive intervention.

Northwell Health’s ECMO program is part of a growing network of hospitals that have integrated the technology into their critical‑care arsenal. The hospital’s website notes that it has treated over 300 ECMO patients since 2013, with a 75 % survival rate to hospital discharge for traumatic lung injury cases. “Our commitment is to deliver the highest level of care to the most critically ill patients,” reads the hospital’s patient‑care philosophy statement.

Lessons Learned and Future Directions

Anderson’s case is a stark reminder of the critical importance of early recognition and aggressive intervention in severe lung injury. Dr. Li noted that rapid transfer to a center with ECMO capabilities can make the difference between life and death. “When the lungs can’t oxygenate the blood, you have to act fast,” she said. “We’re fortunate that Northwell has a dedicated ECMO team that can mobilize quickly.”

The Northwell Health Board is currently exploring expansions to its ECMO program, including adding a mobile ECMO team that can support patients in remote locations or in rural hospitals before transfer to a tertiary center. The board’s recent press release also mentions a partnership with the American Society of Critical Care Medicine (ASCCM) to provide training modules for new intensivists and surgeons.

Final Takeaway

John Anderson’s survival story is a powerful testament to the life‑saving potential of ECMO therapy and the multidisciplinary teamwork it requires. It also underscores the evolving role of advanced life‑support technologies in modern critical care. As ECMO becomes more widespread and accessible, the hope is that more patients like Anderson will benefit from this cutting‑edge treatment, turning what once was a near‑fatal outcome into a story of survival and recovery.