On the evening of February 23, West China Hospital received an order from the National Health Commission to transfer 2 ECMO devices urgently to Wuhan according to the requirements of the Central Leading Group of COVID-19 Prevention and Control, with its aim to cure severe COVID-19 patients in Wuhan at a higher cure rate while reducing the mortality rate. After receiving the order, Vice President Huang Jin of WCH, made arrangements immediately to stand ready for the coordination with the Equipment and Materials Department and ECMO-related departments in WCH.

Then, the 3rd Aid Medical Team of WCH working in the East Branch of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University also required for one ECMO device due to the large number of critically ill patients in their wards. So, WCH transferred one more device from the Infection ICU on February 26, which will be put into use after assembly and testing. So far, WCH has allocated a total of 3 ECMO devices to Wuhan.

ECMO is a modified artificial cardiopulmonary machine, whose core parts include membrane oxygenator and blood pump, playing the role of artificial lung and artificial heart respectively. It can provide long-term cardiopulmonary support for patients with severe heart and lung failure and gain time to rescue them. ECMO is currently a core support for severe heart and lung failure, so it is also known as the “last straw” for critically ill patients.