Bhubaneswar: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar saved the life of a critically ill woman using advanced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, institute official said Monday. The 53-year-old patient was admitted to AIIMS with severe pneumonia and breathing difficulties. According to doctors, her condition deteriorated leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and a severe drop in oxygen levels. Despite maximum ventilator support and other interventions, her condition continued to worsen, leaving ECMO as the only option to save her life.
ECMO Specialist and ICU Consultant Srikant Behera who led the life-saving procedure, explained, “The patient was on the brink of succumbing due to inadequate oxygenation and progressive organ failure. ECMO provided the crucial support needed for her survival.” Institute’s executive director Ashutosh Biswas praised the medical team’s extraordinary efforts, stating, “The success underscores institute’s commitment to blending advanced technology with medical science to provide unparalleled care.” “ECMO therapy has proven to be a lifesaving intervention, highlighting the importance of its awareness and availability among healthcare professionals and families,” he said. After eight critical days of ECMO therapy, the patient’s condition began to improve significantly. The recovery process continued with ongoing supportive therapy and antibiotics to combat multiple infections. Paediatric ECMO Specialist Krishna Mohan Gulla and CTVS head Satyapriya Mohanty also played pivotal roles in the successful intervention. “The case reinforces the necessity of ECMO as a critical tool in saving lives when conventional methods fail. ECMO is an extracorporeal technique that offers prolonged cardiac and respiratory support by performing the functions of a heart and lungs outside the body, allowing for vital recovery time,” Gulla said.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP