Lifesaving ECMO-CPR: A Medical Breakthrough at Kauvery Hospital

In a remarkable display of medical precision, Kauvery Hospital in Chennai has successfully utilized ECMO-CPR (Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to save the life of a 62-year-old patient. The procedure, noted for its complexity and rarity, was deemed necessary due to the patient's critical condition following a major cardiac arrest.

A rushed emergency admission revealed that the patient was suffering from a severe myocardial infarction, causing a cardiogenic shock and resulting in critically low blood pressure and perfusion issues. As attempts were made to stabilize him with standard CPR, his condition advanced to refractory cardiac arrest. This prompted Dr. R Anantharaman and Dr. S Srikumar's team to initiate ECMO-CPR, facilitating blood oxygenation and circulation while allowing crucial time for coronary intervention.

Despite encountering complications, including a ventricular tachycardia storm, the team persevered with advanced medical techniques such as radiofrequency ablation, ultimately stabilizing the patient's heart function and leading to a full recovery. Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj emphasized the need for advanced infrastructure and a well-coordinated multidisciplinary medical team to achieve such outcomes. The case underscores the potential of ECMO-CPR in improving survival rates for patients experiencing severe cardiac crises.

(With inputs from agencies.)