Meirav Sharabi is the first patient to come to a lung transplant while conscious and physically active.
Meirav Sharabi and the medical staff at Beilinson Hospital
Meirav Sharabi, 49, a mother of nine, is the first patient in Israel to be connected to an Akmo "walk" device, thanks to which she successfully underwent a successful lung transplant at Beilinson Hospital.
About a month and a half ago, we published in "Israel Today" that for the first time a pioneering device was used that allows patients to reach a lung transplant when they are conscious and also physically active, which greatly affects the chances of success of the transplant.
Sharabi, who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis (which causes scarring in the lung tissue), waited for about a year for a lung transplant and was connected by the Beilinson medical team in a rare step and for the first time in Israel to a unique Acmo device that allows her to remain fully conscious, move, eat and talk while connected.
After a suitable donor was found for her, she underwent a successful lung transplant about two weeks ago at Beilinson Hospital.
Thanks to the connection to a mobile Acmo device, Meirav arrived at the transplant naked and unattended and breathless, a step that the medical staff who treated her assessed significantly helped the success of the complex surgery.
Dr. Yaron Barak, director of the breast transplant unit in the Beilinson Cardiac and Breast Surgery Division, said that "the decision for the company to use the mobile eco-device was pioneering in the field of transplantation in Israel, and a real line for seriously ill patients waiting for lung transplant surgery.
I have no doubt that this decision significantly affected the success of Meirav's transplant and recovery. "
Prof. Dan Aravut, director of the Beilinson Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, which performed the lung transplant, said that "the unique Acme device provides optimal treatment and is a last resort for those patients."
Meirav Sharabi said that "I was very moved by the news. For a year I have been fighting for every breath and dealing with a particularly complex reality in the corona crisis, which is even more difficult. Thanks to the unique acuum I felt I was coming for stronger and safer surgery."
"The medical staff was amazing and helped me all the way, from using the Acme device while I was talking until the day of surgery and transplant. The attitude of the staff and the atmosphere in the ward were very exciting, I felt part of a family. Today I am slowly progressing, moving hands and fingers, walking sometimes Without a treadmill and feeling very safe. "
