11-year-old girl saved by ECPR after cardiac arrest: Know about this procedure

11-year-old girl saved by ECPR after cardiac arrest: Know about this procedure

An 11-year-old girl was given ECPR after suffering a severe cardiac arrest. After being misdiagnosed twice from chest pain, the young patient received ECPR or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation which stabalised her condition.

This advanced medical procedure is used in extreme cases when the heart stops beating, involving the use of ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) to provide vital support to patients.

The girl initially received medication for a presumed stomach issue at two separate emergency rooms. However, upon her arrival at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, New Delhi, a quick ECG (electrocardiogram) revealed alarming results.

Despite initially appearing stable, an echocardiogram soon showed that her heart was functioning at only 25% of its normal capacity. As her condition deteriorated rapidly with severe heart rhythm problems, the medical team administered medication to control the arrhythmia.

Unfortunately, her condition continued to worsen, and by the afternoon, her blood pressure was dangerously low, signaling imminent heart failure.

In a decisive move, the medical team prepared for ECMO, a life-saving machine that can temporarily take over the functions of the heart and lungs, allowing them to rest and heal. She was placed on ECMO just in time, as she was close to cardiac arrest.

Remarkably, after seven days on ECMO, the young girl's heart recovered, allowing her to leave the hospital with her heart functioning normally. Subsequent tests revealed that a viral infection had caused her heart problem, a condition known as viral myocarditis.

ALL ABOUT ECPR

ECPR, or extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an advanced medical technique used in extreme cases when the heart stops beating.It is a type of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) that involves passing the patient's blood through a machine to oxygenate it.

This procedure involves the use of ECMO to provide critical support to patients whose hearts and lungs need time to rest and recover.

By temporarily taking over these vital functions, e-CPR can save lives when conventional resuscitation methods are insufficient.