Advanced ECMO Success at SMS Hospital Vadodara
Source: Kutch Newspaper
Life-Saving Breakthrough: SMS Hospital Successfully Treats 58-Year-Old Patient with ECMO Technology
The medical team at SMS Hospital, Vadodara, celebrating the successful recovery of a patient treated with ECMO support.
Article Summary & Key Highlights:
Patient Profile: A 58-year-old male admitted on August 31, 2024, with severe breathing difficulties.
Diagnosis: Dengue fever and Swine Flu positive ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), which severely damaged both lungs.
The Treatment: After the patient failed to respond to a maximum-support ventilator, the medical team successfully initiated ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) therapy.
Key Timeline: ECMO treatment began on September 2, 2024. The patient was successfully taken off ECMO on September 9, 2024, and discharged on September 16, 2024.
In a remarkable display of advanced medical care, SMS Hospital in Vadodara successfully treated and discharged a 58-year-old male patient who was facing a near-fatal respiratory crisis. The case highlights the life-saving potential of ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) technology when traditional ventilator support is no longer enough to sustain a patient.
Patient Case History and Diagnosis
The patient arrived at SMS Hospital on August 31, 2024, suffering from severe respiratory distress. Upon clinical evaluation, he tested positive for both Dengue fever and Swine Flu.
This dual infection led to a critical condition known as ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), which caused severe damage to both of his lungs. Initially, the patient was placed on a ventilator with maximum oxygen support, but his condition remained life-threatening as his lungs were unable to function sufficiently.
The Life-Saving Intervention: The ECMO Process
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the specialized medical team, including Dr. Mruyank Bhavsar (Critical Care Specialist) and Dr. Mohit Patel (Physician), counseled the patient’s family regarding the need for ECMO.
September 2, 2024: Dr. Mruyank Bhavsar, Dr. Vishal, and their team officially initiated the ECMO treatment.
The Procedure: ECMO acts as a temporary “artificial lung”. It draws deoxygenated blood out of the body, uses a specialized membrane to remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen, and then pumps the oxygenated blood back into the patient’s system.
September 9, 2024: After seven days of intense support, the patient’s lungs had recovered enough to be successfully removed from the ECMO machine.
September 16, 2024: Following a period of observation and recovery, the patient was healthy enough to be officially discharged.
Expert Medical Team and Facilities
This successful outcome was the result of a coordinated effort by the SMS Hospital Intensive Care Team, which included:
Cardiologists
Pulmonologists
Medical and Paramedical staff
The report emphasizes that SMS Hospital is uniquely equipped to handle such complex cases because it offers a fully-functional ICU with 24-hour specialist availability and bedside dialysis facilities.
Understanding ECMO: When is it used?
The article explains that ECMO is a vital tool for patients whose lungs have been heavily damaged by:
Swine Flu
COVID-19
Severe Pneumonia
By providing temporary support to the circulatory and respiratory systems, ECMO gives the patient’s natural organs the necessary time to heal from severe infections.
