I know medical shows aren’t accurate but I’ve been watching House MD and something commonly repeated is that heart failure is always dangerous because the lack of oxygen to the brain can cause irreparable damage in a matter of minutes.
Modern medicine is so advanced, why isn’t there a way to get oxygen to the brain if the heart stops pumping? Or is it not feasible to fix the heart problem and get it pumping again if the defibrillator doesn’t work?
In: Biology
Intra-aortic balloon pumps can help increase the amount of blood pumped by the heart in those with heart failure, separate from the full support of ECMO. The problem with heart failure is that regardless of extra assistance, a failing heart will inevitably remodel itself in an attempt to improve blood flow, to the point of diminishing returns. It becomes so large and stretchy that it can no longer contract effectively, or so thick and tough that it can no longer expand effectively. You’d be surprised the number of heart transplants that are received by these patients, you can’t undo damage to the one you’re born with.
Latest Answers