AIIMS Bhubaneswar Saves Soldier’s Life with Advanced eCPR Procedure

Despite 40 minutes of conventional CPR, no cardiac activity was detected, leaving the team with a difficult choice: declare death or attempt the highly complex eCPR procedure.

A 24-year-old Army jawan’s life was saved at AIIMS Bhubaneswar through an advanced Extracorporeal Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR) procedure, marking a milestone in Odisha's medical history.

The treatment revived the soldier after his heart had stopped beating for an unprecedented 1.5 hours, showcasing the hospital’s dedication to medical innovation.

Dr Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, commended the team’s efforts, stating, “This achievement underscores our commitment to integrating medical science and technology to deliver pioneering healthcare. It’s a testament to our dedication to saving lives and advancing medical practices.”

The soldier, critically ill due to heart failure, was referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on October 1. Shortly after his arrival, he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Despite 40 minutes of conventional CPR, no cardiac activity was detected, leaving the team with a difficult choice: declare death or attempt the highly complex eCPR procedure.

Under the leadership of Dr Srikant Behera, Intensivist and Adult ECMO Specialist, the team initiated Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) 80 minutes post-cardiac arrest.

After 40 minutes of eCPR, the patient’s heart began beating irregularly. Over the next 30 hours, his cardiac function improved significantly, and he was successfully weaned off ECMO after 96 hours.

The recovery was supported by a multidisciplinary team, which also addressed other life-threatening complications.

The soldier’s mother expressed her deep gratitude, saying, “AIIMS Bhubaneswar has given my son a second chance at life. Their skill and compassion worked a miracle for our family.”

Dr Behera highlighted the significance of the achievement, explaining, “eCPR is a technically challenging but promising advancement for cardiac arrests traditionally deemed fatal. This success marks a transformative moment in Odisha's medical capabilities.”

The multidisciplinary team included Dr Krishna Mohan Gulla, Dr Sandip Kumar Panda, Dr Siddharth Sathia, Dr Sangeeta Sahoo, Dr Manas R. Panigrahi, and dedicated healthcare professionals from MICU and nursing.

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