Man lives despite heart stopping for 50 minutes

AHMEDABAD: In a rare incident which can almost be termed a medical miracle, a 50-year-old man survived after his heart stopped beating for nearly 50 minutes. Rajendra Patel, a businessman from Sanand, underwent a prolonged cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure, in which around 100 chest compression are given to revive a stopped heart, before undergoing an emergency angioplasty.

Interestingly, the doctors who treated Patel, coordinated the entire medical procedure through the messaging service WhatsApp and over the phone.

Recalling the incident Dr Ashish Saxena of Navajivan hospital in Sanand, who treated Patel initially, said that when the patient was taken to hospital, his heart had stopped beating. It was only after chest compressions and electric shocks for 50 minutes that his heart revived. Dr Ravi Singhvi, a cardiologist at a corporate hospital in Ghuma who was in constant touch over the phone and WhatsApp.

"I was in constant touch with Dr Saxena over the phone and WhatsApp, assisting him in the prolonged CPR. The patient even went into a coma and chances of his brain revival were lowered because blood was not reaching his brain," Dr Singhvi said.

"However, the patient's heart la ter revived and blood flow to his brain was restored, which is why he is alive today," he said. The pa tient was discharged from hospital last week.

Jaswant Patel, Rajendra Patel's brother said: "His cognitive functions aren't responding that well yet but I am hopeful that he will be fine soon with get continuous physiotherapy and proper nutrition.I am thankful to all the doctors."