Bhubaneswar: In a groundbreaking achievement, AIIMS Bhubaneswar successfully revived the heart of a 24-year-old Army jawan after nearly 1.5 hours of cardiac inactivity using an advanced Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR) procedure. This marks the first successful execution of eCPR in Odisha, showcasing the institution’s commitment to cutting-edge healthcare.
The Life-Saving Effort
The soldier, who was critically ill due to heart failure, arrived at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on October 1. Shortly after, he suffered a cardiac arrest, and 40 minutes of conventional CPR failed to restore cardiac activity. Faced with the choice of declaring death or attempting the highly advanced eCPR procedure, the team chose innovation.
Under the leadership of Dr. Srikant Behera, Intensivist and ECMO specialist, the team initiated Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy 80 minutes after cardiac arrest. Remarkably, after 40 minutes of eCPR, the patient’s heart resumed beating, albeit irregularly. Over the next 30 hours, his heart function significantly improved, and he was successfully weaned off ECMO after 96 hours.
Multidisciplinary Expertise at Work
The procedure involved a highly coordinated effort by a multidisciplinary team, including:
- Dr. Krishna Mohan Gulla
- Dr. Sandip Kumar Panda
- Dr. Siddharth Sathia
- Dr. Sangeeta Sahoo
- Dr. Manas R. Panigrahi
Contributions from specialists in MICU and nursing officers also played a vital role in managing life-threatening complications.
A Milestone in Medical History
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, lauded the team, stating, “This success reflects our commitment to integrating advanced technology with medical science to save lives.”
Dr. Behera highlighted the significance of eCPR, noting, “While technically challenging, this procedure redefines possibilities in treating cardiac arrests considered untreatable.”
Family’s Gratitude
The survivor’s mother expressed profound gratitude, calling the team’s efforts a “miracle” that gave her son a second chance at life.
A Landmark for Odisha
This landmark success cements AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s position as a leader in medical innovation and brings hope for the future of advanced cardiac care in India. Medical Superintendent Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida also congratulated the team for their outstanding achievement.
