In a
first-of-its-kind surgery, a 64-years old Bahraini woman with end-stage lung
failure receives an implantable artificial lung as a bridge to transplant
Chennai, 25 November: Hopes of a 64-year old woman from Bahrain
were kept alive at Global Health City with an implantable artificial lung, for
the first time in India such a device had been used as a bridge to lung
transplant. By introducing this new technology to India, Global Health City
offers a glimmer of hope to thousands of patients with end-stage lung failure.
With this innovative technology, the waiting time to receive a donor lung is
extended.
Mrs. Fatima Mohammed Ahmed, underwent
a lung transplant at Global Health City 3-years ago after her lung condition
went bad due to Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
(LAM) - a rare lung disease that tends to affect women in their child-bearing
age. Post the transplant, she recovered well and returned to routine life
within 2-months.
Things had been looking good and
under control since then with regular follow-up and appropriate medication
support. Unfortunately a year ago, she developed a fungal infection in her
lungs, which led to Bronchiolotis Obliterans
Syndrome (BOS) - a fibrotic process resulting in progressive narrowing of
bronchiolar lumens and airflow obstruction, is a manifestation of chronic
allograft rejection.
Having affected by BOS, Mrs.
Fatima was prescribed with a series of medication regimes such as Anti BOS
drugs, Immuno Suppressive Medications, etc. and the condition of her lung was
closely monitored. Almost 10 months after she developed BOS and with medical
management, her lung did not show any sign of improvement.
Dr. Vijil Rahulan – Senior Consultant Pulmonologist said, “Adding
to her worries, her lung further deteriorated. She was in ventilator support
and was not an eligible candidate for immediate lung transplant. Hence, we
decided to postpone the surgery so that sufficient time is given for her to be
ready to receive donor organ. Usually, people with end-stage lung failure are
supported with a heart-lung bypass machine known as Extracorporeal Membrane
Oxygenation (ECMO) that uses a pump and oxygenator to deliver oxygen to the vital
organs. While ECMO can be successful for this purpose, it is a temporary
solution. Extended use can pose serious health risks, including permanent organ
damage and frequent bleeding; moreover it needs a continuous monitoring in
ICU.”
“In the case of Mrs. Fatima, we
had to offer the best possible support that buys her time to revive her
condition and to wait for donor lung to become available. Considering the
situation, our expert team decided to use Novalung, an Implantable Artificial
Lung device. It is a pumpless device that needs minimal monitoring in the ICU
and patient can be ambulated easily with the device in place which is not
possible with ECMO”, pointed out by Dr.
Rahul Chandola – Senior Consultant Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Govini Balasubramani – Senior
Consultant Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon said, “In India alone, about
1 lakh people were diagnosed with chronic end-stage lung diseases every year.
Most of them succumb to death within 3 to 5 years even with appropriate medical
management. Most importantly, 5 – 10% of them require immediate transplant in
order to survive. Unfortunately, only about 17 such lung transplant surgeries
were reported in India till date. The huge gap is primarily due to the non-availability
of matching organ at the right time and a very minimal number of centres
performing such a high end procedure. Novalung, as a bridge to transplant,
supports the patient’s survival by extending the waiting-period to receive a
donor organ up to 6 months.”
“I am very much thankful to the
doctors at Global Health City for offering me another chance to live my life
and to spend time with my family. When I came here with a failed lung
condition, I and my family had a very little hope. Now with the artificial lung
device implant, I am waiting to receive a donor lung and I am confident of
starting a fresh lease of life again shortly”, said by Mrs. Fatima.
Highlighting the uniqueness of
the procedure, Dr. Ashok Vardhan – Group
COO of Global Hospitals added “Over the years, Global Health City has
become a synonym to the most preferred organ transplant centre and is one of
the largest multi-organ transplant centres in India. Adding to many
first-of-its-kind transplant surgeries, today with India’s First Artificial
Lung Device implant Global Health City has once again demonstrated its constant
endeavor to offer the best possible treatment to patients by combining
contemporary technology and processes.”
Novalung – An Implantable Artificial Lung Device
It is a breathing support system
which is designed to support the exchange of gas in the lungs of the patient.
The system removes carbon dioxide from incoming blood and
Infuses oxygen into the blood thereby increasing oxygen levels. Clinical
application of this device is indicated in the situations where strict
application of lung-protective is performed and where there is insufficient
exchange of gas, in particular insufficient removal of carbon dioxide.
Global Heart & Lung Institute
As one of Global Hospital’s cornerstone
Centers of Excellence, Heart & Lung Institute is a premium, comprehensive
center providing innovative, quality care close to home. Utilizing advanced
medical and surgical equipment, the expert team of physicians and nurses
practice evidence-based medicine blended with patient-centered care. From
intervention to cardiothoracic surgery and rehabilitation, the institute’s
approach hinges on personalized care, recognizing that every patient is unique.
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