55-Year-Old Survives Multiple Cardiac Arrests After “Routine” Surgery Gone Wrong

New Delhi: Doctors at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh pulled off a medical miracle when they revived a 55-year-old man who had suffered multiple cardiac arrests following a minor procedure at another city-based hospital in Delhi.

Despite being given less than 5% chances of survival, the patient made a complete recovery, owing to the swift action, coordinated teamwork, and advanced cardiac support provided by the Fortis cardiology and critical-care teams.

The patient, a known diabetic, had undergone a routine procedure to remove a sebaceous cyst, a small benign lump on his back. Six hours after the surgery, he suddenly collapsed in his hospital room. His heart stopped, prompting the medical team to initiate immediate CPR and deliver multiple electric shocks to revive him.

Recognising the severity of the situation, the treating doctors reached out to Dr. Rashi Khare, Additional Director- Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. Dr. Khare rushed to the hospital, assessed the patient’s critical condition, and advised shifting the patient to Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh for advanced cardiac care.

When the patient arrived at Fortis Shalimar Bagh, he was critically ill, on ventilator and battling severe complications. Imaging revealed that his lung had collapsed, a consequence of the intense CPR he had endured.

Without wasting a moment, the medical team moved him to the Cath lab for emergency angiography, which showed restored blood flow in his coronary vessels. But despite those efforts, he suffered yet another cardiac arrest.

Facing a life-or-death moment, with mortality risk soaring extremely high -the team made a bold decision: they placed him on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This advanced life-support system temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. The ECMO therapy was initiated within an hour, and continued uninterrupted for five days, until his heart and lungs regained strength and began to function on their own.

Under the leadership of Dr. N. N. Tripathi, Head of Cardiology, Fortis Shalimar Bagh and with the seamless collaboration of Dr. Rashi Khare, Dr. Sandeep Garg (Principal Consultant & Unit Head, Pulmonology, Fortis Shalimar Bagh, alongwith the cardiac anesthesia team led by Dr. Amit Prakash and Dr. Vishal Garg, the patient began a steady recovery. His heart gradually regained strength, infections were brought under control and over time, he was successfully weaned off ECMO and ventilator

support. After several weeks of intensive monitoring, he was discharged in a stable condition and is now recuperating well at home.

“After 45 minutes of CPR and multiple cardiac arrests, his chances of survival were extremely slim. When he arrived at Fortis on life support, scans showed a collapsed lung from the resuscitation, and his heart was barely functioning,” said Dr. Rashi Khare, Additional Director of Cardiology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

“Putting him on ECMO was a decisive move — it gave his heart and lungs exactly the rest they needed. This case truly exemplifies how the right mix of timely intervention, teamwork, and advanced technology can save a life.”

Naveen Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said, “This case underscores Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh’s advanced cardiac care and the team’s ability to act decisively in critical, time-sensitive situations.

Surviving multiple cardiac arrests with complete heart and brain recovery is extremely rare, and this outcome reflects the expertise, coordination, and commitment of our medical teams. It truly demonstrates that with the right skill, speed, and collaboration, every second can make the difference between life and loss.”