Delhi man survives multiple cardiac arrests after rare life-saving intervention

Delhi: In what doctors are calling an extraordinary medical turnaround, a 55-year-old man has survived multiple cardiac arrests and is now recovering at home, weeks after being admitted to Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh in a critical state.

The patient, a known diabetic, had undergone a routine procedure to remove a small sebaceous cyst on his back at another hospital. About six hours later, he suddenly collapsed in his room and went into cardiac arrest. CPR was administered for 45 minutes, along with multiple electric shocks, but his condition remained precarious. Recognising the severity of the case, the treating team contacted Dr Rashi Khare, Additional Director of Cardiology at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, who recommended immediate transfer for advanced cardiac support.

When he arrived at Fortis, the patient was on a ventilator and battling several complications, including a collapsed lung caused by prolonged resuscitation. An emergency angiography confirmed that blood flow in his coronary vessels had been restored, but he suffered another cardiac arrest soon after.

With his survival hanging in the balance, the medical team made a decisive call to place him on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) — a life-support system that temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, allowing the organs to rest and recover. The therapy was initiated within an hour of admission and continued for five days.

A multidisciplinary group led by Dr N N Tripathi, Head of Cardiology, along with Dr Rashi Khare, pulmonologist Dr Sandeep Garg, and the cardiac anaesthesia team headed by Dr Amit Prakash and Dr Vishal Garg, oversaw his intensive care. The patient was gradually weaned off ECMO and ventilator support as his condition stabilised over the following weeks.

“After 45 minutes of CPR and multiple arrests, his chances of survival were extremely slim,” said Dr Khare. “Placing him on ECMO was a decisive step — it gave his heart and lungs the rest they needed. This case highlights the impact of timely intervention, coordinated teamwork, and advanced technology.”

Naveen Sharma, Facility Director at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, praised the medical team. “Surviving repeated cardiac arrests with full heart and brain recovery is exceptionally rare. This outcome reflects our preparedness to act swiftly in life-or-death situations. Every second mattered.”

The patient has since been discharged and is reported to be recovering steadily at home.

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