What's happened
Dr. Robert Bartlett, a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan and widely regarded as the father of ECMO, died at age 86. His work in developing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has saved over 100,000 lives worldwide. He passed after a long illness.
What's behind the headline?
Dr. Bartlett's death marks the loss of a pivotal figure in medical innovation. ECMO's role in saving lives will continue to expand, especially as organ shortages persist. His work exemplifies how technological advances can transform critical care, offering hope for patients with otherwise fatal conditions. The ongoing global adoption of ECMO underscores its importance, and Bartlett's legacy will influence future developments in life-support technology. His contributions will likely lead to further innovations in emergency and transplant medicine, ensuring his impact endures.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights Dr. Bartlett's pioneering role and the global impact of ECMO, noting over 260,000 lives saved. AP News emphasizes his death at age 86 after a long illness and details his foundational work and the widespread use of ECMO. The Independent underscores his early innovations and the ongoing organ shortage, contextualizing his contributions within the broader landscape of critical care advancements.
How we got here
Dr. Bartlett's development of ECMO revolutionized critical care by providing a machine that supports heart and lung function. His innovation has been used in over 260,000 cases globally, aiding patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure, including those awaiting transplants. His registry, founded in 1985, tracks ECMO use and outcomes worldwide.
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