Author: Zhang He from People's Daily

Translated by: Wu Xia

"This is a 64-year-old female patient, whose physical functions are gradually recovering. We will consult together today on how to carry out follow-up treatments." At 9 AM, March 16, an international consultation was carried out through 5G network in Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital. Professor Dong Jiahong, Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician and well-known bile surgery expert, Professor Wang Xinghuan, dean of Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital, Professor Yuan Yufeng, associate dean, and other Chinese and foreign respiratory and critical medical experts from Beijing Tsinghua Changgeng Hospital, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Harrison Medical center joined the consultation.

Leishenshan Hospital consultation site

Wang Xinghuan, director of the Leishenshan Hospital, said that the current global epidemic situation is not very optimistic. The source of infection, the route of transmission, and the susceptible population are very important. However, many countries have not effectively blocked it, which is worrying. In order to better study the patient's full-course treatment plan, Leishenshan Hospital conducts irregular consultations with academicians, deans, and foreign experts.

Academician Dong Jiahong and Wang Xinghuan, President of Leishenshan Hospital

"After being infected with COVID19, the patient was sent to the Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan for treatment. She was in critical condition and had difficulty breathing. The hospital immediately started ECMO for treatment. After 9 days, all indicators improved. And ECMO was removed.” Doctor Feng Ying reported the medical history of Ms. Tao, who lives in Hankou. Doctor Feng introduced the imaging findings and other information in the medical report. The patient also had high fever of 40 degrees Celsius and difficulty breathing, and was later diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia.

On February 20, the patient was transferred to the general ward of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital. Medical staff gave her a non-invasive ventilator to assist her breathing, and she was given phlegm, asthma, and anti-infective treatment. However, one week later, Ms. Tao's symptoms did not improve significantly, and her dyspnea worsened. On March 1st, she was transferred to the ICU ward for further treatment, and assisted breathing through tracheal intubation, but the oxygenation index continued to decline, and was evaluated by ICU, respiratory and critical care experts. On the afternoon of March 2nd, the doctor used ECMO for supportive treatment. ECMO was responsible for respiratory function and helped the lungs to rest and treat. On March 10, Ms. Tao's lung condition improved significantly, and ECMO was successfully withdrew.

After 2 hours of exchanges and discussions, experts fully affirmed the comprehensive treatment level of Leishenshan Hospital, combined with a detailed analysis of Ms. Tao's condition, proposed suggestions including the reduction of the type of antibiotics used, continued attention to cardiac function, and good breathing exercises.

According to Hu Bo, Executive Director of the ICU of Leishenshan Hospital, as of March 16th, the hospital has used ECMO to treat 4 critical patients with COVID19, 2 of whom have successfully removed ECMO and are in the process of rehabilitation.