Man's Heart Stops for Eight Minutes; Delhi Hospital Team Brings Him Back

At Yatharth Hospital in Model Town, New Delhi, medical staff faced a race against time when a 72-year-old man arrived with a completely stopped heart and no detectable pulse. What unfolded over the next hours demonstrated why physicians emphasize the "golden period"—those initial minutes following cardiac arrest that can mean the difference between life and death.

The patient, who had been managing asthma, experienced a sudden and severe breathing crisis early one morning. His family first sought help at a nearby clinic, where he received oxygen and nebulization treatment. When his deterioration continued, they made the urgent decision to transport him to Yatharth Hospital.

The situation had become dire by the time he arrived. He was not breathing, his heart had stopped, and his blood oxygen levels had plummeted. An 11-member medical team, headed by Dr. Anil Gomber, Senior Director of Internal Medicine and Diabetology, sprang into action immediately, initiating CPR and advanced life support measures.

"When the patient reached the hospital, there was no pulse and his condition was extremely critical," Dr. Gomber explained. "According to the family, he had not been breathing and had no detectable pulse for nearly 7–8 minutes. Our team immediately started CPR and advanced life support."

The medical team understood that these opening minutes were crucial. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed during this window maintains circulation and oxygen delivery to the brain and heart, substantially improving survival odds. For nearly four hours, the team maintained continuous emergency care and close observation until the patient's condition stabilized.

The patient remained connected to a ventilator for approximately two and a half days before showing steady improvement. He eventually moved to a standard hospital room and has since returned home with normal oxygen saturation levels.

His son recounted the frightening sequence of events. Symptoms began around 3:00 a.m., with severe breathing difficulty intensifying by 8:00 a.m. After the initial clinic visit proved insufficient, they rushed toward Yatharth Hospital. "On the way, my father stopped breathing," the son recalled. "When we reached the hospital and saw his condition, we had almost lost hope because there was no pulse and he was not breathing. However, due to the relentless efforts of the doctors and medical team, my father is healthy today."

Dr. Gomber emphasized the decisive role of timing and coordination: "CPR administered at the right time can play a decisive role in saving a patient's life. Through teamwork, rapid medical response, and continuous monitoring, we were able to bring the patient to a safe recovery."

The family has expressed deep gratitude for what they describe as a second chance at life, crediting the hospital's emergency protocols, critical care infrastructure, and swift intervention. They have also urged the public to recognize the life-saving potential of CPR and the importance of acting decisively during medical emergencies.