Faced with this critical situation, specialists at Garrahan determined the need for assistance with ECMO, a system that temporarily replaces the function of the heart and lungs, and whose operation requires highly specialized centers and trained personnel. The coordinated operation involved intensive care teams, cardiovascular surgery, perfusionists, specialized nursing, cardiology, anesthesia, and critical transport. Buenos Aires, December 10 (NA) -- The Garrahan Hospital led an unprecedented high-complexity transfer to assist a seven-month-old baby in critical condition, transferred from the Maternal and Child Hospital of San Isidro while remaining connected to an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) system, according to the Argentine News Agency. More than 30 professionals participated in the operation, which allowed for the safe transfer to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU 35) at Garrahan, the only public center in the country capable of providing advanced vital support for pediatric patients with severe cardiorespiratory failure. The procedure was described as "one of the most complex in pediatric critical care medicine," as explained by Guillermo Moreno, Garrahan's Deputy Medical Director. "Successfully performing it demonstrates the team's preparation and commitment," he highlighted. An unprecedented operation to stabilize the patient The transfer was activated when the baby presented a severe arrhythmia that did not respond to conventional treatments, rapidly evolving into heart failure with multi-organ involvement. Coordination between the San Isidro Public Health Secretariat and the Garrahan Medical Directorate was considered key to ensuring her stability and highlights the importance of strengthening public high-complexity pediatric care networks. "This operation reflects what it means to have a solid health network when a child's life is at stake," Moreno emphasized. ECMO transports are infrequent and require specific portable equipment, advanced respiratory support, and extremely rigorous logistics that contemplate permanent communication among all involved teams. The baby remains admitted to the ICU 35 of Garrahan Hospital, where she receives specialized care. The Municipal Patrol of San Isidro and the City Police collaborated to ensure a fast corridor for the high-complexity ambulance. "Thanks to the articulation between institutions, we were able to act in time."
