Her heart stopped several times: How ECMO helped bring Mrs. Baker-Simpson back

Antoineta Baker-Simpson’s journey toward recovery began with the faintest flutter of her eyelids. After multiple days on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) device, which provides full heart-lung support, her family witnessed this small but miraculous sign. Then, her hand squeezed back against theirs. Against all odds, Mrs. Baker-Simpson showed signs of improvement.

This moment was the result of a coordinated effort by the critical care team at East Jefferson General Hospital, part of LCMC Health, showcasing the impact of advanced medical technology and decisive, compassionate care. Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s story is not just about survival and her steadfast faith but also a recognition of the hospital’s innovative approach to life-saving heart care.

Her daughters’ heroic effort

A proud New Orleans native and member of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Nandi, Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s emergency situation began while visiting family in her hometown for a funeral. While preparing for the day, she stepped out of the shower, felt a sudden wave of dizziness, and collapsed.

Her daughter, Ashantaé, immediately called 911. Guided by the operator, her other daughter, Imani, began performing CPR on her ailing mother.

“Imani didn’t stop,” Mrs. Baker-Simpson was told. “She kept going, even as the paramedics were coming through the door, until they told her they had it.” Ashantaé and Imani’s quick thinking and determination, along with the operator’s clear directions, kept her mother alive during those critical moments.

Her daughter recalled losing count after more than 30 emergency codes were called for her mother, 20 of which occurred before she even arrived at East Jefferson General Hospital. Facing such dire circumstances, 51-year-old Mrs. Baker-Simpson was rushed to the Emergency Department at East Jefferson General Hospital, where doctors identified that she had gone into cardiac arrest multiple times. With her condition worsening, the cardiology team turned to ECMO as her best chance for survival, initiating a treatment that would temporarily help stabilize her.

How ECMO became Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s lifeline

For Mrs. Baker-Simpson, ECMO was considered the final option to save her life. Her diagnosis, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – sometimes referred to as “broken heart syndrome” – was linked to intense emotional stress, which triggered her cardiac crisis.

Upon arrival, she required immediate intubation. Tests revealed a type of severe heart attack known as STEMI, which occurs when a major artery is blocked. However, in her case, the heart attack was provoked by severe spasm of major coronary (heart) vessels leading to episodes of super-fast arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation) and rapid loss of her heart’s ability to pump blood.

ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a life-saving technology used when a patient’s heart and lungs can no longer function effectively on their own. The treatment involves placing large tubes in the patient’s major blood vessels. These tubes direct blood to an external machine that removes carbon dioxide, oxygenates the blood, and then pumps it back into the body, temporarily replacing the function of the heart and lungs. This process allows the heart and lungs to rest and recover while other underlying conditions are treated.

With ECMO taking over her body’s most vital functions, Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s care team had the time and resources to provide life-saving treatments. Initially, doctors believed she could remain on the ECMO machine for only five days. Fortunately, her heart began to recover, and she woke up on day three, marking the start of her journey toward healing.

Once Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s heart began to recover, her care team gradually weaned her off the ECMO machine, signaling a significant turning point in her recovery. However, her journey was far from over. Transitioning off ECMO required close monitoring and ongoing support to stabilize her condition and ensure her heart and lungs could resume functioning independently. From there, the focus shifted to addressing the lingering effects of her cardiac crisis and rebuilding her strength after days of immobility and intensive care.

Regaining strength in partnership with her dedicated care team

Recovering from the physical toll of ECMO and multiple cardiac arrests required immense determination. After days of being intubated and immobilized, Mrs. Baker-Simpson began the challenging process of regaining her strength. With focused physical, occupational, and speech therapy, she steadily rebuilt her endurance and mobility.

Now back home, she continues to focus on her recovery, attending regular therapy sessions and using a hospital-provided device to monitor her heart’s activity. These tools, combined with her dedication to following her care plan, enable her progress to remain on track and allow her care team to intervene quickly if necessary.

This experience has reshaped her perspective on life. While the physical recovery has been demanding, the emotional healing has proven equally significant. She now focuses more on the importance of managing stress and processing emotions, recognizing that her health depends on nurturing both her body and mind.

Gratitude for the care she received runs deep. Her recovery was supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including ECMO technicians, critical care nurses, rehabilitation experts, and social workers. Each member played a vital role in meeting her needs and ensuring her path to healing.

This care team included Sasa Vukelic, MD, PhD, an advanced heart failure and heart transplant cardiologist and ECMO director who initiated her ECMO care; Ala M. Mohsen, MD, an interventional cardiologist who placed the ECMO; Cristina Sanina, MD, a structural-interventional cardiologist and critical care cardiology unit physician who managed her care and discharge; Tod C. Engelhardt, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon who removed her from ECMO; Asif Anwar, MD, a cardiologist and her admitting physician; and Bassam Wanna, MD, a cardiology electrophysiologist who placed her defibrillator.

As part of her ongoing recovery, Antoineta plans to return to East Jefferson General Hospital during an upcoming follow-up appointment to personally thank the staff who cared for her. She also intends to deliver handwritten notes of gratitude to everyone who contributed to her recovery – a gesture reflecting the profound impact of their care.

Mrs. Baker-Simpson’s case demonstrated how ECMO, along with skilled care teams and family support, can stabilize patients experiencing severe cardiac crises. To learn more about the emergency care and specialized heart services available at East Jefferson General Hospital, including ECMO capabilities, visit www.ejgh.org.