Best ECMO Doctors in India

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Amit Mittal is a cardiologist working at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi with experience of over 23 years in Interventional Cardiology.
  • He is good to consult for Angiogram, Angioplasty, and Bypass Surgery. Dr. Mittal has performed over 15,000 cardiac procedures till now. He offers services like EPS and RFA procedures, pacemaker implantation, ECG, complex surgery of heart valve replacement, and angina treatment, to name a few.
  • Apart from that, Dr. Mittal won a Gold medal in MBBS 1st y and for the highest marks in obstetrics and gynecology. He published many papers in national and international medical journals and chapters in textbooks.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Bhaba Nanda Das is a well-known cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon and has performed the first Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) on a beating heart in India.
  • He has performed over 20,000 cardiac surgeries and does more than 800 cardiac surgeries annually.
  • With a keen interest in cardiovascular and thoracic procedures, Dr. Das is the first cardiac surgeon to use all arterial grafts for multiple coronary revascularizations. He was also the first to use coronary sinus in Fontan’s circulation.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. T S Kler is undoubtedly one of the best vascular surgeons not only in India but also abroad. He has performed more than 25,000 Surgeries in his life which makes him stand where he is.
  • He is a pioneer in electrophysiology & he established the first dedicated Electrophysiology department in India at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.
  • Dr. T S Kler initiated a radio Frequency Ablations programme at Escorts in 1993, one of the first of its kind in India. He was the first doctor in India to implant an ICD, CRT-P & CRT-D.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Ajay Kaul is a leading name in the field of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery in India with over 3 decades of experience.
  • He specializes in Coronary Bypass surgery and is one of the best with the highest number of total arterial coronary bypass surgery (4000+) by using two internal mammary arteries from the chest and without any cuts on arms and legs.
  • He is also an expert in minimally invasive cardiac surgeries (MICS) and has performed more than 4000 MICS which is the highest by any cardiac surgeon in India.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Balbir Singh is a reputed cardiologist with over 32 years of experience,  considered a veteran in his field, both nationally and internationally.
  • He has also pioneered several minimally invasive cardiology surgical techniques in India and has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shree Award for his exceptional performance.
  • “LIMCA” Book of Records also highlighted Dr. Balbir Singh’s contribution to the medical field in the Indian Electrophysiology Journal.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Ashok Seth is one of the most well-known Interventional Cardiologists in India honored with both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
  • He has more than 3 decades of experience in interventional cardiology and has performed over 20, 000 angioplasties and 50,000 angiograms till date.
  • Dr. Seth holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, London, and Edinburgh along with several other degrees to his name.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Praveer Aggarwal is a nationally acclaimed and highly professional Interventional Cardiologist.
  • His specialization lies in the treatment of blockages of the coronary and peripheral arteries and is an expert in Rotational and Directional atherectomy, intravascular ultrasound, pressure wire, and the use of Drug Eluting Stents.
  • Along with his team at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Dr. Aggarwal performs close to 2000 angiographies and over 2000 coronary interventions including coronary angioplasties every year.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Manjinder Sandhu is a leading interventional cardiologist based in Gurugram who holds an extensive experience of over 27 years in the field.
  • His primary interest lies in Complex Coronary Interventions, Trans-radial Interventions, and Balloon Valvuloplasty, and has performed a large number of such procedures in his career mainly while serving in the Army Medical Corps.
  • Dr. Sandhu has been teaching and training postgraduate students in Cardiology and Medicine and has been a guide to several successful cardiologists in India.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Subhas Chandra is a leading Interventional Cardiologist who holds close to 20 years of experience and specializes in coronary interventions, endovascular interventions, device implantation, and structural heart diseases.
  • He has performed more than 25,000 coronary interventions (complex angioplasty and rotablation), 4000+ for structural heart diseases, and has done more than 3000 permanent pacemaker implants.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Y Vijayachandra Reddy is an interventional cardiologist with 25+ years of experience.
  • Dr. Reddy’s work experience includes more than 7000 PCIs, 30000 invasive procedures, 550 PCIs in cardiogenic shock, 700 Cardiac devices, 400 PTMCs, and several EVAR and TEVAR procedures.
  • His expertise lies in pacemaker implantations, pediatric interventions, ICDs, CRTs, endovascular repairs, and more.

Best ECMO Hospitals in India

Fortis Escorts Hospital, New Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Over the last 33 years, the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has set new standards in cardiac treatment with groundbreaking research. It is now known around the world as a centre of expertise for Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.
  • The hospital has cutting-edge laboratories that perform a wide range of diagnostic tests in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Microbiology.
  • Fortis Escorts Heart Institute boasts a diverse group of bright and experienced doctors who are backed up by a team of highly qualified, experienced, and devoted support professionals as well as cutting-edge equipment such as the recently installed Dual CT Scan.
  • Approximately 200 cardiac doctors and 1600 personnel currently collaborate to manage over 14,500 admissions and 7,200 emergency situations each year. The hospital now has a 310-bed infrastructure, as well as five cath labs and a slew of other world-class amenities.

Rela Hospital, Chennai

Hospital Highlights:

  • RIMC is a multi-specialty hospital in a sprawling area of ​​36 acres located in Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
  • The facility has 450 beds including 130 critical care beds, 9 operating rooms, modern reference laboratories and radiology services, and is conveniently located near road, rail and air transportation.
  • RIMC is led and managed by world-renowned physicians committed to healthcare.
  • RIMC offers the broadest range of clinical care, education, and research. The hospital offers state-of-the-art technology and modern treatment facilities designed to provide health care at an affordable cost.
  • Rela Institute is driven by patient needs, comfort and confidence.

CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad

Hospital Highlights:

  • CARE Hospitals were established in the year 2000, by CARE Group.
  • The multispecialty hospital has 435 beds, including 120 critical care beds, with an annual inflow of 180000 outpatients and 16,000 in-patients.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Nephrology, and Urology.
  • The hospital has the first dual source, 128 slice CT scanner (for high precision cardiac imaging) – the first of its kind in south India.
  • The hospital offers a wide range of accommodation facilities for the convenience of its varied patient base, ranging from general wards to super deluxe rooms.

Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hiranandani hospital was established in 2007.
  • The hospital is an advanced tertiary care, multi-specialty hospital equipped with 149 beds.
  • The hospital is equipped with a super ICU to provide emergency medical care to critically ill patients.
  • The hospital is NABH accredited.
  • The critical care facility in the hospital is augmented with the state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate speedier diagnosis and efficient monitoring.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, orthopedic science, pediatric science, neurology, diabetic care, urology, nephrology, ENT, obstetrics, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, neuro and spine care.

Fortis Hospital, Anandpur, Kolkata

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata is a world-class super-speciality equipped with the latest technologies in the medical world.
  • The hospital is NABH accredited.
  • This state-of-the-art facility specializes in cardiology and cardiac surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency care and critical care.
  • The hospital, governed by integrated Building Management System (IBMS), has a pneumatic chute system, for quick vertical and horizontal transportation between floors, facilitating speedy transfer of patient specimens, documents, reports, and medicines to the concerned departments.
  • The hospital also has a nephrology department with over 28 advanced dialysis units.

Fortis Hospital Banerghatta, Bengaluru

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
  • The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
  • The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
  • The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).

Fortis Hospital, Malar, Chennai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
  • The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
  • The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
  • The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.

Gleneagles Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Gleneagles Global Hospital The 450-bed facility comprises of 17-stories, housing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and advanced medical care facilities.
  • The hospital offers end-to-end clinical, surgical, and diagnostic services. It is equipped with a team of eminent medical professionals aided by qualified nurses and medical staff
  • The Hospital offers advanced Endoscopic procedures, Hepatobiliary and Liver Surgeries, Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic surgery.
  • The hospital is a center of excellence for Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement surgery.

Jaypee Hospital, Noida

Hospital Highlights:

  • Jaypee Hospital is the flagship hospital of the Jaypee Group.
  • This hospital has commissioned 525 beds in the first phase and has been planned and designed as a 1200 bedded multi-specialty facility.
  • It holds the accreditation of the NABH and NABL.
  • The hospital has state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies and modern equipment like 64 Slice PET CT, Dual Head 6 Slice SPECT CT, Gamma Camera, and Da Vinci Robotic Surgery for comprehensive robotic surgical solutions.
  • It has special Centers dedicated to the major specialties to provide hassle-free and high-quality clinical care.

Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, is a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, which is a part of Manipal Hospitals Group.
  • The hospital aims to provide the best treatment on par with international standards at a fraction of the cost.
  • Equipped with 380 beds, the hospital is also one of the new age hospitals which are equipped fully with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology as well as the latest and advanced clinical practices. The hospital also has 13 modular Operation theatres with 118 beds which are solely meant for critical care.
  • The hospital comprises internationally acclaimed doctors and highly professional and experienced hospital and medical staff who are able to provide preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services all under one roof.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation involves pumping the blood outside from your body into a heart-lung machine. The machine removes carbon dioxide and pumps back oxygen-filled blood into your body tissues. The flow of the blood is from the right side of your heart to the membrane oxygenator of the heart-lung machine that rewards and sends it back to your body. The procedure allows the organs to rest and heal while the blood bypasses your heart and your lungs. Usually used in infants with critical disorders of the heart and the lungs, you may also find its use for some other infections.

The method involves the use of a membrane oxygenator (acting as an artificial lung) that oxygenates the blood. It supplies oxygen to the blood and returns it to your body by combining with a warmer and a filter. Used for providing oxygenation while your doctor treats the disorder, it also benefits adults and older children.

Types and parts of ECMO

ECMO is of two types:

  • Veno-venous ECMO (VV ECMO)- It takes blood from the veins and returns the blood to the vein. This type of ECMO finds its application in supporting lung function.
  • Veno-arterial ECMO (VA ECMO)- It takes up the blood from one of the veins and returns the blood back to the artery. It supports the lungs as well as your heart. Being more invasive than veno-venous ECMO, there might be a need to close off the carotid artery (carotid artery is the main artery that extends from the heart to the brain).

 

Parts of ECMO include:

  • Cannulae- They are large tubes (catheters) that your doctor will insert into your blood vessels for taking up and returning the blood back to the body.
  • Membrane oxygenator- Used for oxygenating the blood, it is an artificial lung.
  • Warmer and filter- Its purpose is to warm and filter your blood before the cannulae or catheters return the blood back to your body.

 

The cannulae take up blood with less oxygen from your body and send it to the oxygenator during ECMO. The membrane oxygenator will then pump oxygen into your blood and send this oxygenated blood through the warmer & filter to finally return the blood to your body.

Reasons for ECMO

ECMO is for the people suffering from critically ill conditions of the heart and the lungs or recovering from a heart transplant and when other life support procedures didn’t work. If you are suffering from serious but reversible lung or heart disorders, then your doctor will place you on ECMO. For the newborns, it is beneficial as it allows their heart and lungs to develop. There is a substantial increase in the survival rates with ECMO. It helps your body by providing oxygen to your body tissues. You may need to go for ECMO during conditions enlisted here.

For infants:

  • ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (if there is a defect in the diaphragm)
  • Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure present in the lungs)
  • Respiratory failure
  • Sepsis (an infection that can be life-threatening)
  • Pneumonia

 

For older children:

  • Severe pneumonia
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Toxic materials present in the lungs because of aspiration
  • Infections
  • Trauma
  • Asthma
  • Congenital heart defects

 

For adults:

  • Decompensated cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
  • Severe hypothermia (low body temperature)
  • Acute myocardial infection (heart attack)
  • Carcinogenic shock (shock caused when the heart is unable to pump enough blood)
  • Myocarditis (presence of inflammation in the muscles of the heart)
  • Post-transplant complications
  • Pulmonary embolism (blockage in the pulmonary artery of the lungs)
  • Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
  • Influenza (flu)

Preparation for ECMO

Your doctor will first check you before placing you on ECMO. He or she will perform a cranial ultrasound of your brain to ensure that there’s no bleeding. It will also determine if your heart is working. You might need to undergo a chest x-ray daily while on ECMO. Your doctor will prepare the equipment after determining if you need ECMO. A trained team will perform your ECMO. The team will include respiratory therapists, ICU registered nurses, consultants & support personnel, rehab specialists, perfusionists who specialize in performing ECMO and a 24/7 transport team.

What to expect?

During ECMO

During ECMO, your doctor will first discuss all the details of the procedure with you and/or your family. Your doctor will place the cannulae in your chest, neck or groin region depending on your age after giving you general anesthesia (sleep medicine). You will be sleeping due to the sedation while being on ECMO. ECMO will perform the function of the lungs or heart. Your doctor will monitor you closely during ECMO with the help of daily X-rays. Apart from this, the doctor will also be monitoring your:

  • Blood pressure
  • Heart rate
  • Oxygen levels
  • Respiratory rate

 

With the help of a ventilator and a breathing tube, your lungs will continue to work and remove the secretions from your body. You will continuously receive all the medications through intravenous catheters including heparin. Heparin prevents the clotting of blood while it travels during ECMO as it is a blood thinner. Your doctor will place you on ECMO for a minimum of three days to even a month, depending on your condition. However, the higher you are on ECMO, the higher is the risk associated with ECMO.

After ECMO

After noticing the improvements in your condition, your doctor will slowly reduce the amount of oxygenated blood that you receive through the ECMO and then wean you off from ECMO. Once you get off from this, your doctor will place you on a ventilator for a certain period of time. However, you will still require a regular follow-up for monitoring the underlying condition.

Results of ECMO

The severity of your underlying condition will determine the outcomes at large. Depending on your condition because of which you require ECMO, your doctor will explain to you how much helpful will the procedure be for you.

Risks of ECMO

The most common risks associated with ECMO are:

  • Coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder)
  • Seizures
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Stroke (damage to the brain because of the bursting of blood vessels or blood loss)
  • Thromboembolism (blood clot)
  • Limb ischemia (loss of blood in the limbs)

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