Patient Defeats COVID19 with ECMO support from Doctors

Abhishek Ray was admitted at Medica Superspecialty Hospital with history of fever for a week on 25/5/2020. He was subsequently tested COVID 19 positive. After admission, his oxygenation status deteriorated and he was put on ventilator on 27/5/2020. Despite putting him on ventilation with 100% oxygen, his oxygen level continued to decline to 44% with the rising carbon dioxide.

The next day on 28/5/2020, Veno Venous ECMO was instituted as a rescue mechanism for improving the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in his blood. Haemodialysis was also started as renal replacement therapy. Patient also developed COVID encephalopathy.

Tracheostomy was done on 54 year old, Abhishek on 3/6/2020. On gradual improvement of his lung function, ECMO was weaned off on 8/6/2020 after 12 long days of ECMO run. Ventilation was continued till his pulmonary function improved significantly. Tracheostomy was decannulated on 23/6/2020.

Speaking on the treatment, Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman, Medica Superspecialty Hospital, said, “ECMO support in severe COVID pneumonia has proved its definite role in Europe and North America in more than thousand cases where all the ventilatory measures fail. In Eastern India ECMO Team of Medica is providing this noble support in severe COVID patients. Abhishek’s recovery from COVID 19 with ECMO support will definitely show an enlightening way forward in severe COVID management.”

Gradually Abhishek’s family too were put on quarantine for 14 days, and they were updated about his status via video call between family and team of doctors. Abhishek comes from an area close to Ballygunge and has a dairy business. He has no clue how he got infected. Luckily his family comprising of his aged mother, his wife, son and daughter in law, who were luckily not affected.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Alok Roy, Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals said, “the times are difficult for each one of us, and in the midst of such surroundings, when we see that critical COVID patients are getting cured and going home, it gives us immense hope that this phase too shall pass.”

After a month stay at Medica, Abhishek was discharged on 25/6/2020. His kidney function has improved and he was very happy, while he left for his home.