ECMO a show-stealer at Medex medical expo

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Medex, the global medical exhibition at Government Medical college is pulling crowds with each passing day. The exhibition, which is the first-of-its-kind in Kerala in terms of volume of exhibits and the knowledge it shares with viewers piqued the interest of many to get a first-hand experience of the items they only knew through the media.
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), the name which was on everyone’s lips during the final days of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, is one the major attractions at Medex.A modern version of the heart-lung machine, ECMO is a game changer in critical care.
The ECMO is being exhibited at the pavilion for cardiovascular thoracic surgery unit. ECMO can act as a life support for any number of days for patients with heart and lung damage.
The oxygenator of ECMO, that supports patients with lung issues, can function for 21 to 30 days. The oxygenator’s costs Rs 2 lakh. If a patient suffers from heart failure, ECMO can provide life support. ECMO can support the life of patient during heart transplant surgery. Children with congenital heart disease can be put on ECMO for survival till the time of surgery. The medical college hospital is planning to purchase the same.
The exhibition, which is organized by Kerala University of Health Science, students union and medical college hospital, will conclude on January 31. TNN