Marking a significant advancement in critical care services for the region, Manipal Hospital Vijayawada has launched ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) services—an advanced life-support therapy designed for patients experiencing severe cardiac or respiratory failure. This strategic addition enhances the hospital’s ability to manage high-risk cases where ventilators and medications alone prove insufficient.

ECMO is a highly specialised heart-lung bypass system that temporarily assumes the function of a patient’s heart and lungs, giving these vital organs the necessary time to rest and recover. The treatment is commonly used in life-threatening conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and critical complications following cardiac surgeries.

Speaking on its clinical significance, Dr. Srinivas Rao T, Consultant – ICU and Critical Care, said,

“ECMO has proven to be a life-saving intervention for patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and in critical cases following cardiac surgery. Looking ahead, ECMO is expected to play a crucial role in normothermic regional perfusion — a technique used to preserve organs prior to harvesting for organ transplantation. In this evolving field, Hybrid ECMO is emerging as a promising innovation, combining the benefits of various ECMO modalities to optimise organ preservation and support advanced critical care.”

Offering further insights into the technology, Dr. V Dinesh Kumar Gontla, Consultant – Critical Care, explained,

“ECMO has two major parts – the oxygenator and the pump. While the oxygenator emulates the lungs’ blood-purifying functions, the pump is responsible for the heart’s pumping action. With these dual functions, the ECMO acts either as ‘A bridge to recovery’ in patients recovering from acute respiratory or cardiac failure conditions, and ‘A bridge to transplant’ in patients with advanced respiratory or cardiac failure who are undergoing lung or heart transplant.”

Depending on the medical need, ECMO is administered in two main forms:

• VV-ECMO (Veno-Venous): Targets respiratory support, ideal for ARDS, severe pneumonia, and complications from COVID-19.
• VA-ECMO (Veno-Arterial): Provides both cardiac and pulmonary support, often used in cases of cardiac arrest or major heart failure.

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Although ECMO offers life-saving potential, its implementation is technically complex and requires the precision of a dedicated multidisciplinary team. Dr. Srinivas Rao emphasised the need for skilled coordination between cardiac surgeons, intensivists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, perfusionists, and trained ICU nurses and technicians to ensure successful outcomes.

The launch of ECMO services reinforces Manipal Hospital Vijayawada’s commitment to advancing critical care in Andhra Pradesh and surrounding regions. Backed by the robust network of Manipal Hospitals, one of India’s leading healthcare providers, the hospital is well-positioned to deliver high-quality, affordable, and technology-driven care.

With a Pan-India presence of 37 hospitals across 19 cities, over 10,500 beds, and a healthcare workforce comprising 5,600+ doctors and 18,600+ employees, Manipal Hospitals serves over 7 million patients annually. The network’s focus spans multispecialty, tertiary, and out-of-hospital care, supported by global clinical standards. It holds multiple accreditations, including NABH, NABL, ER, Blood Bank, and AAHRPP, and has consistently been recognised in consumer surveys as India’s most respected and patient-recommended healthcare brand.

By introducing ECMO at its Vijayawada facility, Manipal Hospitals continues to align its mission of pioneering medical excellence with its goal of expanding access to critical care innovations across the country.

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