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Doctors revive a 62-year-old who had received multiple shocks to treat his condition

Doctors revive a 62-year-old who had received multiple shocks to treat his condition

A 62-year-old man was revived at S.L Raheja Hospital after experiencing multiple episodes of Ventricular Arrhythmias.

Written by Editorial Team |Published : April 20, 2018 12:18 PM IST

A 62yr old man was rushed in to the emergency room at S.L Raheja Hospital after experiencing multiple episodes of Ventricular Arrhythmias, commonly cited as abnormal or quick heart beats in the lower chamber of the heart. He was brought in after unsuccessful treatment at another hospital where he had received multiple shocks to correct his condition, which had left him with superficial burns.

Doctors evaluated the patient on various parameters, where he was found to be in a condition called as Sympathetic Storming (here the patient show bizarre heart rhythm with very low or absent blood pressure reading, continuously) warranting continuous shocks to keep him alive. A 2D Echo revealed Ischemic Heart Disease and Hypertension, which the patient was unaware of. His consciousness levels kept fluctuating; the repeated low blood pressure had also pushed him into Kidney failure. With the previously failed treatment, his condition was deteriorating quickly; this potentially could trigger respiratory, cardiac and renal failure.

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Doctors at the hospital quickly progressed into the treatment, counselled the family, subsequently his two sons consented for the patient to be induced into coma, while continuing Hemodialysis (Kidney dialysis machine). On further evaluation of the 2D Echo, a previous heart attack scar was noticed which could be the reason for the bizarre rhythm. It was assumed that the patient would have had heart attacks in the past, manifesting as chest pains, which he probably would have ignored.

The patient was kept under observation at the ICU and pulled out of Coma after a week of treatment. His recuperation began and his condition became stable; importantly, the irregularities with the heart had ceased. No brain damage was reported, in spite of having received multiple shocks.

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Speaking about the case, Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Head of Intensive Care Unit at the hospital said, 'The patient was brought in a critical condition due to the shock treatment. His bizarre heart rhythm warranted continuous shocks to be administered to him, despite that, the abnormal rhythm reverted within few minutes. We evaluated his condition, counselled the family and proceeded to induce the patient into Coma, where the patient is taken into a very deep state of unconsciousness temporarily, with controlled anaesthetic drug delivery.'

Speaking on the post-op treatment, Dr Saseedharan said, 'He rapidly got out of the induced Coma, was stabilized and was subsequently placed on drugs to stabilise the heart, which had begun pumping efficiently. Once he got off the ventilator, we placed an Automated Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD), which picks up any bizarre rhythm and delivers a shock to the heart to treat further attacks. It is to be kept life-long and changed after 6- 10yrs. Later, as the batteries wear off, they may need replacement. He had recovered well and is now completely out of danger'.

The patient was later shifted to the ward for complete treatment and after 50 days at the hospital, he has been discharged. He has been advised to take complete rest and follow-up with the Cardiologist. Continuing on the nature of such cases, Dr Saseedharan adds, 'Cases like these are classic examples of ignoring certain signs your body throws at you. This patient would have had some uneasiness, or some cardiac symptoms which would have been ignored as a muscle pain etc. It is imperative to go for a check-up once in at least three months so that underlying diseases can be identified, especially after the age of 30. Self-medication and self- diagnosis is a complete no-no'.

Source: Press release