New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) An 84-year-old man was saved by doctors at a city-based hospital after he suffered repeated cardiac arrests and underwent emergency angioplasty along with implantation of a leadless pacemaker, the hospital said.
The patient was rushed to the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital after he developed nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and increasing drowsiness late at night. He had no known prior major medical history.
By the time he reached the emergency department in the early hours of April 2, he was gasping for breath, had no detectable pulse or blood pressure and was on the verge of complete cardiovascular collapse, the hospital said.
An ECG revealed a dangerously slow heart rhythm accompanied by cardiac arrest. Under the leadership of Dr Rajeev Kumar Rajput, senior consultant, Cardiology, the emergency and cardiology teams initiated prolonged CPR, administered emergency medications and inserted a temporary pacemaker, the statement by the hospital said.
Despite these interventions, he remained in cardiogenic shock and required an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) to support circulation.
Following emergency procedures, he was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), under the care of Dr Nikhil Modi, where he received ventilatory support, medications and intensive care, the statement said.
Although his condition gradually stabilised, Rajput and his team identified severe damage to the heart's electrical conduction system, leaving his heart rate at nearly 30 beats per minute.
Even after recovering from the immediate cardiac emergency, he remained dependent on pacing support.
Considering his advanced age, recent critical illness and infection risk, a leadless pacemaker was implanted. The procedure was successful and he gradually recovered before being discharged in stable condition on April 16.
"Cases like these remind us that medicine is often about recognising what is not obvious, " Rajput said. In older patients, serious heart conditions can present in unexpected ways and every minute matters, he said.
"What stayed with us was not just the complexity of the situation, but watching someone fight through repeated setbacks and gradually return to stability. Seeing patients recover after such critical moments is what makes these journeys meaningful for the entire care team," he said.
Dr Nikhil Modi, senior consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital added, "Cardiac emergencies in elderly patients do not always present with typical symptoms and can evolve rapidly within a short period of time. Early recognition and timely medical attention often play an important role in improving outcomes."