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Successful Recovery of a 40-Year-Old Male Patient with ECMO Treatment

A 40-year-old male patient working in an oil factory in Bhiwani presented to our hospital with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and breathing difficulty. He was in altered sensorium and required oxygen support. The patient’s condition worsened quickly — he became extremely sick and was struggling to breathe & was not maintaining his vital parameters.

Before reaching us, he received treatment at multiple hospitals and was referred to our center for advanced critical care management due to poor response to conventional measures.

Critical Diagnosis and Immediate Management

On admission, the patient was suspected of Celphos poisoning, presenting with cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury (AKI) & Pulmonary edema. Our general physician evaluated the case immediately. Gastric lavage was done to clear any remaining poison.

Due to poor GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) and severe respiratory distress, the patient was intubated and put on ventilator support. Ryle’s tube and Foley catheter were inserted, and a central line was put in view of continuing inotropic support & administration of medication at regular intervals.

A 2D ECHO revealed:

  • Dilated LA & LV
  • Global LV hypokinesia
  • Severe LV systolic dysfunction
  • LVEF: 15-20%

The patient was in cardiogenic shock with extremely low BP, moderate aortic regurgitation, and severe ARDS. Multidisciplinary references including CTVS Surgeon, Cardiac Anesthetist, Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Pulmonologist, and Intensivist were taken.

How ECMO Saved the Patient’s Life

Due to severe cardiac and respiratory failure, ECMO therapy (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) was recommended and initiated on 03/07/2025 and continued till 08/07/2025.

How ECMO Works:

ECMO acts like an artificial heart-lung machine, pumping the patient’s blood through an external circuit that adds oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, and pumps it back into the body — giving the heart and lungs time to rest and heal.

For this patient, ECMO worked as a life-saving therapy. His organs began recovering within minutes of starting ECMO support, and his oxygen levels and organ function improved significantly.

Additional Critical Care Support

Due to severe lactic acidosis, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) was initiated on 04/07/2025 & withdrawn on 06/07/2025.

The patient developed bicytopenia, for which blood and blood products were transfused. He needed inotropic support (Inj. Norad, adrenaline), IV antibiotics, antiemetics, nebulization, calcium gluconate & PPIs. Other supportive medications were given as per our ICU protocols.

Imaging and Monitoring:

  • USG W/A: Grade I Fatty Liver
  • X-ray Chest and HRCT: Ground glass opacities, inter/intralobular septal thickening, consolidation patches — features suggesting severe lung infection.
  • ABG analysis: Regular monitoring of blood gases.

The patient responded well — ventilator was weaned off and he was extubated on 09/07/2025, Hb O2 support for next 1 day (24hrs).

Recovery and Discharge

Over the next days, the patient’s vitals got stabilized, Inotropic support was tapered off. Invasive lines were removed. He was shifted to private room for further recovery.

In view of suicidal tendencies, a psychiatrist’s opinion & guidance was included. Intensive chest and limb physiotherapy, deep breathing exercises, and spirometry were continued daily. The patient gradually resumed good oral intake and all tubes and catheters were removed.

At discharge, he was hemodynamically and neurologically stable, maintaining oxygen saturation at room air, with stable vitals. The patient was sent home on prescribed medications with strict follow-up instructions.

When is ECMO Used?

  • ECMO is a life-saving treatment used in:
  • Severe heart or lung failure
  • As a bridge to heart/lung surgery or transplant
  • Post massive heart attacks or high-risk cardiac procedures | Cardiogenic Shock
  • Severe lung infections like H1N1 (Swine Flu) or Dengue fever | ARDS | COVID

There are two types:

  • VA-ECMO: Supports both heart and lungs (connected to vein and artery)
  • VV-ECMO: Supports only the lungs (connected to veins)

ECMO Success Rates

Studies show that ECMO can have up to a 70% success rate, depending on the severity of the patient’s condition when treatment begins.

This case is an example of how timely ECMO therapy, advanced ICU care, and multidisciplinary treatment can save lives even in critical poisoning and severe organ failure

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  • Sarvesh Health City Site No. 1, Sector 14, Hisar – 125001 (Haryana)
  • +91 6901 626262
  • +91 6901 636363

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DR. PRAJAKTA S PARCHAKE

INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN

Looking for expert care? Consult Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Prajakta S Parchake for accurate diagnosis & holistic treatment. Book your visit today!