[phamilton4]

Why doesn't anyone question the ECMO machines? I'm definitely no doctor, but as a software engineer if my system failed 30-40% of the time I'd stop using it.

Last I read they have 30-40% instance of internal bleeding with many other TERRIBLE things as a side effect of all the blood thinners and other pharmaceuticals needed to use the machine.

I really find it hard to believe that COVID caused the PE, hemorrhage, etc. that ultimately put an end to that young man's life.

Read about it here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/1...

[timr]

"Why doesn't anyone question the ECMO machines? I'm definitely no doctor, but as a software engineer if my system failed 30-40% of the time I'd stop using it."

ECMO is a hail-mary treatment for people who would almost certainly die otherwise. A 40% chance of death is better than a 99% chance of death.

What you're saying here actually happened with ventilators (though ventilators are nowhere nearly as invasive or complex as ECMO).