AirLife Denver hosts an annual EMS conference with current educational topics especially for our hospital and EMS partners.
Friends of AirLife is a community nonprofit organization committed to remembering those who lost their lives in the line of duty, by offering ongoing continuing education for the betterment of current and future EMS and Air Medical providers. Friends of AirLife hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Get more information about Friends of AirLife and their notable events.
Pandemic on Pump: ECMO in the Era of COVID
Saturday, September 12 — 9:00am - 12:00pm via Webex
Conference agenda
9:00am - 9:10am – Opening Remarks and Introduction of Speakers
Mark Maertins, MD, Erica Douglass, MD or Kalen Abbott, MD
AirLife Denver
9:10am - 10:15am – Introduction to ECMO and Utilization in the COVID Era
Michael Firstenberg, MD, FAIM, FACC
Chair, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, The Medical Center of Aurora
Dr. Firstenberg will provide an introduction to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) including the benefit of this therapy to patients with critical cardiac and/or respiratory illness. He will specifically profile the potential benefits of using this therapy on patients with cardiac and or respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Dr. Firstenberg has been integral to the implementation of ECMO therapy with COVID-19 patients at The Medical Center of Aurora.
10:15am - 10:45am – AirLife Denver COVID Transport Case Review
Rick Wold, RN, Kalen Abbott, Michael Firstenberg, MD
AirLife Denver
We will profile an AirLife ground transport from Sky Ridge Medical Center to The Medical Center of Aurora for ECMO therapy. This patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 and had reached the maximum limits of critical care therapy at Sky Ridge which included the implementation of inhaled nitric oxide. The transport team will provide an account of the transport, including both clinical and logistical challenges. Dr. Firstenberg will outline the course of successful treatment at The Medical Center of Aurora, which culminated in a successful recovery and discharge to home.
10:45am - 11:45am – Mobile ECMO Cannulation in the Field
Jon Marinaro, MD
Chief of Critical Care at University of New Mexico Hospital
Dr. Marinaro will discuss how he is taking ECMO out of the hospital and into the EMS system in Albuquerque, New Mexico to treat cardiac collapse in the field. He will discuss the implications of COVID-19 on this practice and how it impacts the ability to provide field and remote cannulation of ECMO outside of the hospital environment.
11:45am - 12:00pm – Closing Remarks and Questions