A remarkable medical achievement took place at AIIMS Bhubaneswar when a team of specialists successfully revived a 24-year-old army jawan after his heart stopped beating for nearly 90 minutes. The life-saving procedure used was known as Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR), which marks a significant milestone in the medical history of Odisha.
The patient, identified as Subhakant Sahu, arrived at the hospital in critical condition on October 1, with no previous history of cardiac issues. Shortly after his admission, he suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite receiving 40 minutes of conventional CPR, there was no sign of cardiac activity, leaving the medical team with a critical decision: declare him dead or attempt the innovative eCPR procedure.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, part of the medical team, reported that the decision was made to initiate eCPR, led by Dr. Srikant Behera, an intensivist and adult ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) specialist. This technique involves a complex system that temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, providing vital support until the patient can regain spontaneous cardiac function.
After initiating the ECMO procedure, the team was able to witness a revival of the patient’s heart after about 90 minutes, albeit with an irregular rhythm. Over the following hours, the heart function improved significantly. Remarkably, Sahu was successfully weaned off the ECMO after 96 hours of treatment, demonstrating the efficacy of this advanced medical intervention.
Dr. Behera explained that ECMO serves as a critical life-support system for individuals whose heart and lungs are unable to sustain adequate gas exchange or blood circulation. He emphasized that eCPR, albeit technically challenging, is a promising advancement in treating cardiac arrests that have traditionally been deemed fatal.
The case is particularly notable as it represents the first instance of eCPR being employed in Odisha, reflecting the growing awareness and adoption of this life-saving technique around the world.
Currently, Sahu is fully conscious with stable vital signs, including normal blood pressure and oxygen saturation levels. His mother, Minati Sahu, expressed deep gratitude toward the medical team for their efforts in saving her son. “I cannot thank AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the treating doctors enough for giving my son a second chance in life,” she stated, highlighting the profound emotional impact of this exceptional medical outcome.
