ECMO | San Diego County News Center

person stands next to paramedic in a hallway

Local Mom Who Survived Cardiac Arrest for 86 Minutes Celebrates One Year Anniversary

May 9, 2025 | 2:37 PM

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A year ago, Michelle Alvarado faced death, only to be saved by an extraordinary medical procedure. Recently, she celebrated that one-year anniversary with Nick Black, the National City Fire Department paramedic who made the right call at the right time and helped save her life.

Health

group of firefighters and medical team stand in front of fire engine

04:58

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Took Local Mom’s Life – An Emergency Medical Team Brought Her Back

Jul. 22, 2024 | 10:16 AM

Reading Time: < 1 minute

ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a medical procedure for critical care patients with life-threatening heart or lung failure. Last July, the County launched a new pilot program that uses ECMO in a new way. It is now saving the lives of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital and who would have otherwise died.