45-year-old Michael Knapinski was declared dead in the emergency room but suddenly revived after his heart stopped beating for 45 minutes.
On the morning of November 7, Mr. Michael Knapinski and a friend went on a cold snow hiking trip in Mount Rainier National Forest. After that, the friend descended from the mountain and Mr. Knapinski fell and got lost all night.
On November 8, a medical helicopter found and rescued Mr. Knapinski. In the Harborview Medical Center emergency room, Mr. Knapinski was declared dead from the heart stopped beating for 45 minutes.
The direct treating doctor Jenelle Badulak said: “Mr. Knapinski died in the emergency room, we did not see any signs of survival. We tried to save the victim's life by acting on the heart and lungs. This is the most advanced form of emergency at the moment ”.
The medical team continued to perform CPR and let Mr. Knapinski use the outer membrane blood oxygenator (ECMO) machine. The device takes blood out, filters carbon dioxide, and pumps the blood back into the patient's body.
During the 45 minutes, Mr. Knapinski's heart stopped beating. The doctors tried one more time and the medical team was on duty all night by the patient's side. After two days, Mr. Knapinski miraculously woke up. Nurse Whitney Holen says the first thing Mr. Knapinski wants to do is call the family.
“He and his relatives both cried. I also shed tears, ”said nurse Holen. “Stories like this are a reminder of our daily tasks and duties. That's why we have to stay away from home and work long hours here ”.
Mr. Knapinski still has some heart and kidney problems, but doctors say the situation is quite optimistic.