Miraculous Recovery after Life-Saving ECMO Therapy at DMC&H

Ludhiana, October 08, 2025: In a remarkable display of medical excellence and teamwork, doctors at Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana, successfully treated and discharged a critically ill patient who had suffered from severe myocarditis and required VA ECMO (Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) support for survival.
The patient, a 27-year-old doctor by profession, was admitted in a private hospital in a state of cardiogenic shock, with his heart unable to pump blood effectively due to inflammation of the heart muscle — a rare but potentially fatal condition known as fulminant myocarditis. His kidney and liver was also affected due to heart condition.  Despite maximum medical therapy, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly even with all possible support to heart, kidney and lungs with a bleak chance of survival.
Since patient was not in a condition to shift to DMC&H, a team led by Dr. Vivek Gupta, Consultant, Cardiac anaesthesia & Intensive Care, went there and initiated VA ECMO — an advanced heart-lung support system that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs, allowing them to rest and recover and shifted the patient to Hero DMC Heart Institute. “The patient was in severe cardiac failure and his chances of survival were extremely slim without ECMO support. VA ECMO provided support to his heart to give time to recover while maintaining blood flow to vital organs,” said Dr. Gupta, ECMO specialist at DMC&H.
It took around two weeks of intensive care management with waxing waning course, gradual improvement in cardiac function was observed, and ECMO support was successfully weaned off. Following continued recovery and cardiac rehabilitation, the patient has been discharged home in stable condition to the delight of his family and the treating team.
Bipin Gupta Secretary DMC&H Managing Society congratulated the team and reinforced the commitment for providing quality health care in the region. He also reiterated the need of creating awareness both in health care professionals and public regarding these advanced therapies which can help to save many more lives. Mukesh Verma Treasurer DMC& H Managing Society said the ECMO retrieval services will help many patients who cannot be shifted to DMC&H due to their critical condition.
“It’s truly heartwarming to see a life saved through the combined effort of technology, expertise, and teamwork,” remarked Dr. GS Wander Principal & Senior Cardiologist at DMC&H Ludhiana.
Dr Bishav Mohan Chief Cardiologist & Coordinator HDHI said the case highlights the growing role of advanced life support therapies like ECMO in managing critical cardiac and respiratory failures. The Hero DMC Heart Institute continues to be a leading centre in North India for ECMO and other extracorporeal therapies including advanced critical care services.
Dr Sarju Ralhan said transporting a critical patient with multiple supports and especially ECMO is quite challenging which our team did successfully.