When a heart or lung fails, the best ventilator and medicines may not be able to save a patient. Then, the last ray of hope is ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)
The expert and experienced ECMO team in Rela Hospital, Chennai led by Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan and Dr. Senthil Kumar, cardiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon respectively, take pride in saving patients with this critical intervention.
The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving procedure that takes over the function of the heart and/or lungs. This technique helps in circulating and oxygenating the blood so that the heart and lungs can get rest. ECMO has been proven to be extremely effective in severe cardiac and pulmonary failures.
Miracle of Medical Technology – Story of a Young Mother
A 32-year-old young mother with a history of two children was brought to the Rela Hospital emergency department with acute respiratory distress. She had been suffering from severe viral pneumonia which progressed to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Her condition deteriorated rapidly despite conventional ventilator support. With her saturation falling, doctors at Rela had to take the bold decision of putting her on Venovenous-ECMO (VV-ECMO), a type of lung support that provides oxygenated blood through another pathway while allowing the patient’s heart to beat normally.
“Patient’s condition was very severe, and she was at immediate risk of multiple-organ failure. The only option was VV-ECMO,” says Dr. Senthil Kumar, one of the senior doctors who handled the case.
Dr. Srinath and his team placed the catheter for VV-ECMO in the bed on the same day, allowing her lungs to rest and heal. After a week, her oxygenation improved, and her lungs started to function normally. She was successfully removed from ECMO on the tenth day. Two days later, she was back to her normal self, smiling for the first time in the ICU and asking for her children. Today, she is back home, taking care of her two lovely children with her own hands.
ECMO services at Rela Hospital – 247 Life-Saving Technology
With some of the finest cardiothoracic surgeons, medical practitioners, and technicians, Rela Hospital’s ECMO Program is among the busiest in South India. The center provides 24-hour access to high-quality Extracorporeal Life Support with a team of experienced perfusionists, critical care doctors, and ICU nurses. It offers:
• 247 ECMO initiation and retrieval services
• Bedside ECMO for life support patients
• Specialized Transport for In-Center Patients
• Transport ECMO for inter-facility transfers
• Adult and Pediatric ECMO Support
• Heart & Lung Transplantation support
• Backed by expert cardiac and thoracic surgeons for patients with severe heart and lung conditions
In critical conditions such as bridge-to-recovery and bridge-to-transplant, the intensive care specialists at Rela Hospital provide comprehensive care and treatment for patients with severe lung and heart conditions.
“ECMO is a life-saving procedure. However, it requires a coordinated team and quick decision-making,” says Dr. Srinath. Rela Hospital’s doctors have helped countless patients with bridge-to-life and bridge-to-transplant interventions.
💓 Exclusively experienced cardiac surgeons and critical care physicians.
🫁 24-hour specialized Heart & Lung Intensive Care Unit
🚑 Quick ECMO response and inter-facility transport
🤝 Comprehensive care with the help of multiple specialties such as nephrology, infectious diseases, and pulmonary care.
When every breath matters, we are here for you
🫁 ECMO Service at Rela Hospital
👨⚕️ Co-led by Dr. Srinath Vijayasekharan and Dr. Senthil Kumar
📍 Rela Institute & Medical Centre, Chromepet, Chennai
