Doctors Prepare to Take Burcham Off His Respirator
Murray P. Haydon began his second month on a respirator Thursday while doctors began weaning the latest mechanical heart patient, Jack C. Burcham, from his respirator.
Burcham’s condition was reported to be improving. Doctors turned up the rate of his Jarvik-7 heart from 50 to 60 beats per minute and began weaning him from the respirator that has helped him breathe since his implant Sunday.
Haydon, 58, a retired Louisville auto worker, was attached to a respirator March 18 because of troubled breathing, which later was blamed on a lung complication related to his numerous blood transfusions.
Burcham, a 62-year-old retired train engineer from Le Roy, Ill., was awake and alert Thursday and was visited by relatives. His kidney functions have improved, Humana Hospital Audubon spokeswoman Donna Hazle said.
The chest bleeding that prompted corrective surgery Monday “appears to have stopped,” Hazle said.
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