Heart Machine Saves Life of H1N1 Patient

A machine called extra corporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) has been used by doctors to save the life of a critically ill patient suffering from H1N1 infection.

57-year-old retired KSRTC employee V Srinivas developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as a result of swine flu and had difficulty breathing. Use of ECMO from Narayana Hrudayalaya saved his life and he was out of danger in 15 days.

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"It is almost a miracle because the other hospital had given up hope and told us he would not survive. I heard about ECMO from another doctor and suggested that we give it a try. We are going to build a small temple in thanksgiving to god for this," said Srinivas's son Santosh V S.

Dr Binoy C, who handled the ECMO, says that countries like USA and Australia were already using the machine and that it had taken 1 year for doctors in India to follow suit.

Source-Medindia

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