ECMO Treatment in India

ECMO in India is used in patients recovering from lung failure, heart failure, or heart surgery. It is also used as a bridge when doctors wish to assess the state of other organs.

What Is ECMO?

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is a machine that mimics the functions of the heart and lungs. It delivers oxygen and removes carbon dioxide through the bloodstream. It is used to support the body when the lungs or heart cannot do so.

ECMO at Max Hospital, India

At Max Hospital, ECMO is used during open-heart surgeries. Our Doctors bypass the function of the organs to the machine while repairing it. The ECMO machine helps pump and oxygenate the blood outside the body, allowing the lungs and the heart to rest. The success rates of the ECMO procedure at Max Hospital, India, are remarkable. ECMO has proved to be beneficial in saving the lives of hundreds of patients. The facility has some of the best specialists and state-of-the-art technology to ensure the best treatment for patients. 

Importance of ECMO

If the patient does not receive ECMO treatment, they may suffer from brain death due to a lack of oxygen and may die if their heart and lungs stop working.

What are the types of ECMO?

There are two types of ECMO:

• VA ECMO: It is connected to both a vein and an artery. It is used when there are issues with both the lungs and the heart.
• VV ECMO: It is connected with one or many veins near the heart. It is used when only the lungs are affected.

What are the conditions that mandate the use of ECMO?

The below-given conditions require the use of ECMO.

• Pneumonia- a bacterial infection of the lungs.
• Sepsis- a bacterial infection of the blood.
• Congenital hernia of the diaphragm.
• Congenital heart conditions in children.
• End-stage cardiac or respiratory failure.
• Meconium Aspiration syndrome.

What are the symptoms in patients who need ECMO?

Patients who require ECMO therapy have the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Inability to breathe during sleep or other sleep problems
• Swelling in the legs and abdomen
• Chronic cough and wheezing
• Confusion and altered mental status
• Rapid and fast heart rate
• Lack of appetite

What are the tests that are performed before ECMO?

Doctors perform diagnostic tests before the ECMO procedure to ascertain if the problem is with the heart or the lungs.

• Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to assess the functioning of the heart.
• Electrocardiogram: This is a test to monitor the electrical activity of the heart.
• USG Head: This test is performed on young infants to rule out bleeding in the brain. The ECMO is not used in case of severe bleeding in the brain.

What are the pre-procedure preparations for ECMO?

• Connecting the patient to the ECMO device is a surgical procedure. It is performed in the ICU.
• The patient is sedated and is administered an anticoagulant to minimize clotting of the blood.
• After inserting the ECMO catheters in the blood vessels, X-rays are taken to ensure that tubes are in the right place.
• The patient is also connected to a ventilator to allow the lungs to heal.
• The patient is monitored by therapists, nurses, and the surgical team.
• The nasogastric tube is inserted to help the patient with supplemental nutrition.

What are the post-procedure precautions for ECMO?

Removing the ECMO tubes and discontinuing the patient from the machine is also a surgical procedure. Multiple tests are performed before discontinuing. It is to ensure that the heart and lungs are ready to function independently. The blood vessels will be repaired after removing the ECMO.

What is the ECMO treatment cost in India?

Medical professionals carry out ECMO treatment after considering a lot of factors. Since ECMO mimics the heart and lung functions, it requires top-notch facilities and expert assistance. As a result, these factors influence the ECMO therapy cost in India. Max Hospital, India is spearheading the advancements in healthcare facilities and is home to experienced surgeons and medical professionals. So, if you plan on considering the ECMO therapy cost in India, it will be helpful to note the points mentioned above to make an informed decision.