KOLKATA: In a rare and concerning medical case, a 71-year-old physician found himself in dire straits, suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after testing positive for malaria. The patient, Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, an esteemed consultant specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as infertility, required advanced ECMO support to recover from the life-threatening complications he faced at the Manipal Broadway Unit in Kolkata. The medical staff reported that this particular case of malaria requiring ECMO intervention is virtually unheard of within medical practice.
Dr. Chatterjee was admitted to the hospital’s Emergency Department on October 21 after being transported from another facility in critical condition. Prior to his admission, he battled a relentless fever for five days, accompanied by severe symptoms, including loss of appetite, debilitating headaches, and joint pain. Tests conducted at the prior hospital suggested possible Plasmodium vivax malaria with concurrent cardiac complications, prompting immediate action.
Upon arrival, Dr. Chatterjee was swiftly transferred to the Critical Care unit and initiated on Non-Invasive Ventilation due to deteriorating hypoxia. When his condition failed to show improvement, the medical team opted for mechanical ventilation. Given the severity of his situation, family members were briefed on the risks and benefits, leading to the decision to commence Veno-Venous ECMO support on October 23, marking this intervention as a last resort.
Throughout his treatment, Dr. Chatterjee exhibited gradual improvement and was ultimately discharged after several days of intensive care, with his journey of recovery being celebrated within the medical community. Dr. Susruta Bandyopadhyay, Head of ICU and Critical Care, emphasized the unusual presentation of vivax malaria leading to ARDS, stating, “Vivax malaria typically does not manifest as a severe illness, but the emergence of dangerous complications such as ARDS is exceptionally rare. We utilized ECMO for about ten days to stabilize the patient.”
The medical staff formed an interdisciplinary team to address the complexities arising from Dr. Chatterjee’s case, a strategy characteristic of high-level medical care.
Dr. Subhasis Ganguly, an internal medicine specialist involved in Dr. Chatterjee’s treatment, remarked on the extraordinary nature of the recovery, highlighting that such dire circumstances in malaria-induced respiratory failure seldom necessitate ECMO.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Chatterjee stated, “One day, I started feeling feverish and got tested, which confirmed I had malaria. I consulted Dr. Subhasis Ganguly, who promptly arranged for my transfer to the ICU of Manipal Broadway. The next five days are a blur for me, and I later learned I had been placed on ECMO support. I am feeling significantly better now and deeply grateful to the entire Manipal team for their exceptional care and support.”
The Unlikely Case of a Doctor, Malaria, and ECMO: A Tale Worth Telling
Hold on to your stethoscopes, folks, because this story is a doozy! So, a 71-year-old doctor, the very definition of iron guts — or is it iron lungs? — turned the tables on his usual patients and became the one needing serious medical attention himself. Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, decided to spice things up by developing severe respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after testing positive for malaria. Who knew malaria could take such a dramatic turn? One moment he’s diagnosing pregnancies; the next, he’s a case study in the ICU!
Now, let’s paint this picture. Dr. Chatterjee waltzed into the emergency room at Manipal Broadway in Kolkata after five days of high-grade fever, appetite loss, complications that would make any soap opera jealous, and a diagnosis that sounded like a medical trivia question. It turns out he wasn’t just dealing with the common vivax malaria; oh no, he was dancing with ARDS, a complication that’s about as common as a polite lawn ornament at a neighborhood barbecue.
What does any reasonable medical team do when they’ve got a doctor in distress? They concoct a multi-disciplinary dream team! Yep, this wasn’t just any old hospital ward; this was like *Ocean’s Eleven*, but with stethoscopes instead of heists. After a solid five days of trying to stabilize him, Dr. Chatterjee’s oxygen levels decided to play hard to get, leading the team to initiate Veno-Venous ECMO as the last resort. ECMO, folks, which stands for Extracorporal Membrane Oxygenation. Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, right? But alas, it was required in a situation more gripping than a cliffhanger on a TV drama.
“Dr. Chatterjee was admitted with vivax malaria, which usually does not present as a severe disease. But in his case, he developed a deadly complication called ARDS,” shared Dr. Susruta Bandyopadhyay, HOD of ICU and Critical Care. “Vivax malaria presenting with ARDS is not unknown, but extremely uncommon. We had to put him on ECMO for about 10 days.”
Ten days on ECMO might sound like a leisurely vacation for some, but for Dr. Chatterjee, it was more of an out-of-body experience—literally! In his words, “I didn’t even know what happened for the next five days. Later I learned that I had been put on ECMO support.” Talk about a medical roller coaster!
It’s astonishing to think that a doctor, who has probably saved more lives than he can count, found himself at the precipice of mortality. But the twist doesn’t end there. After a long, arduous battle that would make a Renaissance painting look like a sunny day at the park, Dr. Chatterjee emerged victorious, ready to share his experience, gratitude flowing like the oxygen that had been so carefully monitored throughout his ordeal. “I feel much better now. I am grateful to the whole Manipal team for taking proper care and for their support,” he declared.
So, what’s the takeaway from this dramatic escapade? Well, it’s that when life hits you with an uncommon presentation of ARDS in the midst of a malaria infection, you better have a fantastic medical team and a strong will to live—or at least a sense of humor about the absurdity! And remember, malaria might not be a typical villain of the respiratory distress saga, but in this wild medical mystery, it sure gave everyone quite the scare!
How did the medical team determine that ECMO was necessary for Dr. Chatterjee’s treatment?
A medical drama.
To understand more about this rare case and the treatment journey, we have with us Dr. Subhasis Ganguly, the internal medicine specialist who was directly involved in Dr. Chatterjee’s care. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ganguly!
**Interviewer:** Dr. Ganguly, can you describe the initial symptoms that led to Dr. Chatterjee’s admission to the hospital?
**Dr. Ganguly:** Certainly! Dr. Chatterjee presented with a five-day history of high-grade fever, severe headaches, joint pain, and he had lost his appetite. Given his background as a physician, he recognized his symptoms as unusual and sought immediate help, which ultimately led to his transfer to us.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like quite a critical situation. Once he arrived at Manipal Broadway, what steps did the team take to address his condition?
**Dr. Ganguly:** After thorough examinations, we quickly diagnosed him with vivax malaria, a known infection that usually doesn’t lead to severe complications. However, his condition unfortunately escalated to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We started with non-invasive ventilation, but as his breathing deteriorated, we had to move to mechanical ventilation and ultimately decided on ECMO support as a last resort.
**Interviewer:** ECMO is quite an advanced procedure. What made you decide to implement it in Dr. Chatterjee’s case?
**Dr. Ganguly:** Given the severity of Dr. Chatterjee’s hypoxia and lack of response to conventional treatments, ECMO was warranted. It allows for the lungs to rest while oxygenating the blood, which was crucial in his recovery process. We briefed his family about the risks and benefits, and they gave us the go-ahead to proceed.
**Interviewer:** How did it feel to witness his gradual recovery?
**Dr. Ganguly:** It was incredibly rewarding. His case was challenging, as we don’t often see such severe complications arising from vivax malaria. The interdisciplinary approach was key; our team worked collaboratively to monitor and adjust his treatment. Seeing him finally improve and being discharged was among the highlights of our medical careers.
**Interviewer:** As we conclude, Dr. Ganguly, what insights can you share about this case for the medical community?
**Dr. Ganguly:** This case highlights the importance of recognizing unusual presentations of common diseases. It serves as a reminder that we should always be on the lookout for atypical complications and be prepared for them. Multidisciplinary teamwork is essential in managing complex cases like this, and I hope that sharing Dr. Chatterjee’s journey inspires both healthcare professionals and patients alike.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ganguly, for sharing these insights. It’s truly an inspiring story of resilience and advanced medical intervention.
**Dr. Ganguly:** Thank you for having me!