Critically-ill patients beat sepsis through advanced treatment options at Fortis Hospital Mohali

Kaithal, October 18, 2022: ( AVAJ APKI NEWS )

The Department of Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital Mohali, has given a new lease of life to two women suffering from sepsis – a life-threatening condition which occurs due to the body’s immune response to an infection. Septic infections often start in the lungs, urinary tract, skin, or gastrointestinal tract and any delay in medical treatment can prove to be fatal.

A Kaithal-based Patient (aged 28) had developed acute breathlessness, cough and fever a day after delivering a baby through the Caesarean section at a hospital. She had also developed shock and severe respiratory distress and was subsequently put on the ventilator.

Due to her critical condition, the Patient’s family brought her to Fortis Hospital Mohali. The team of doctors led by Dr Zafar Ahmad Iqbal, Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Studies, Fortis Hospital Mohali, diagnosed her with sepsis, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and left ventricular failure (failure of left side of the heart).

Dr Zafar along with the ICU and cardiac teamscollectively treated the Patient wherein an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was placed in her heart to allow the heart to pump more blood. Double Vasopressorsupport(help improve blood pressure) was also started along with administration of antibiotics.

Due to the collective efforts of Dr Zafar, ICU and cardiac teams, the Patientrecovered and was discharged after nearly four weeks. She is leading a normal life today.

In another case, a 55-year-old Patient was rushed to Fortis Mohali. She was put on the ventilator as she had Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) and severe pneumonia in her lungs–a life-threatening condition leading to respiratory failure.

To provide additional support to counter sepsis, extra corporeal membrane filtration of blood was done to remove toxins from the blood, hence decreasing the harmful effects. The team also performed Tracheostomy–inserting a tube into the windpipe to help the Patient breathe.

Following good rehabilitation at Fortis Mohali, the Patient was weaned off the ventilator and discharged after 3 weeks. She has recovered fully and is leading a normal life today.

Discussing the cases, Dr Zafar, said, “Sepsis can affect people of all age groups but particularly those above 65 years and below one year, those with a weekend immunity, those with underlying chronic diseases and those requiring prolonged hospitalization.   Many surviving patients suffer from the consequences of sepsis for the rest of their lives. Immediate medical intervention is required to save a life.”