Fort Worth – When 47‑year‑old Greg Campbell collapsed after a round of golf on Oct. 5, his friends’ swift response and the cutting‑edge ECMO program at Texas Health Fort Worth turned a tragic moment into a miracle.
Friends act fast, call 911
Campbell felt a burning sensation in his chest during his dinner and golf outing, but the pain escalated after he finished the 18 holes. Suddenly he lost consciousness and stopped breathing. His friends immediately called 911, alerted family members, and one friend began CPR at a nearby gas station while paramedics rushed to the scene.
Emergency care at a Level I Trauma Center
Paramedics transported Campbell to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, a Level I Trauma Center and certified Comprehensive Cardiac Center. Upon arrival, Campbell had already received more than 45 minutes of CPR and remained in cardiac arrest.
“Every second was critical to his survival,” said Dr. Jonathan Besas, D.O., medical director of the hospital’s ECMO program. “His sister‑in‑law advocated for transport to a facility with ECMO resources, which was crucial.”
ECMO gives doctors time to act
While CPR continued in the Emergency Department, Dr. Rahul Rasheed, D.O., a critical‑care surgeon, initiated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The procedure pumps blood through an artificial heart‑lung machine, adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide, allowing the heart and lungs to rest.
“ECMO gave the care team valuable time to restore circulation, determine why his heart stopped, and keep Mr. Campbell alive,” Rasheed explained.
Finding and fixing the blockage
Further testing revealed a complete blockage in Campbell’s right coronary artery, the vessel that supplies oxygen‑rich blood to the heart. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Brendan Reagan performed a stent procedure in the catheterization lab, restoring blood flow.
Less than 24 hours after the arrest, Campbell was breathing on his own. Five days later he returned home and celebrated his 26th wedding anniversary.
Family, faith, and community gratitude
Campbell credits his survival to his strong faith, the dedication of his loved ones, and the skilled Texas Health team. “There’s nothing special about me, but there’s something very special about God and the people who dedicate themselves to doing good work,” he said.
His sister‑in‑law, Erin Frazier, M.S.N., R.N., PCCN, CNL, a nursing supervisor at the hospital, called the experience “amazing” and said it reinforced her passion for nursing.
Why ECMO matters for Fort Worth
More than 350,000 Americans experience out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest each year, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. The availability of ECMO at Texas Health Fort Worth provides a critical lifeline for patients in dire situations, offering a chance at survival that would otherwise be slim.
“Hearing Mr. Campbell refer to the care team as ‘Team Miracle’ is a reminder of the significance of our ECMO program,” Dr. Besas added. “It provides patients in dire situations a chance at survival.”
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
