Man revived after heart stopped for 16 minutes

Paramedics revive patient who had been swimming at a hotel

Ma r i a m M. A l S e r k a l

Aman had a near brush with death when his heart stopped for 16 minutes and was revived by paramedics on the way to hospital.

An official at the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) said that a 38-year-old Indian man suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest while he was at the swimming pool of a hotel in Al Rafaa area.

“When paramedics arrived, they found the victim face down without a pulse and he was not breathing. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed that the heart was not beating and there was a flat line on the monitor,” said Dr Fahad Al Zarouni, head of regulation of ambulance services at Dubai Ambulance Services.

“The readings indicated that he was dead, but paramedics followed standard procedures and carried out first aid, that included performing chest compressions, as well as providing oxygen and giving the patient two doses of adrenaline at 1mg each to stimulate the heart beat,” explained Dr Al Zarouni.

According to the patient care report that was issued last Sunday, the patient’s pulse returned after 12 minutes of performing CPR (car-

The readings showed that he was dead but paramedics carried out first aid — chest compressions, provided oxygen — and gave two doses of adrenaline 1mg to stimulate the heart.

diopulmonary resuscitation) and was transferred to Rashid Hospital to receive medical attention.

He added that in this case, the patient had what is known in medical terms as a Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC), which can happen after cardiac arrest. Signs of ROSC include breathing, coughing and a palpable pulse.

“These types of incidents in cardiac arrest can happen and are not very rare, and the patient was expected to make a recovery,” said Dr Al Zarouni, who noted that all medical crew are trained to the highest standard in carrying out first aid and have been given extensive training on what procedures to carry out events in cases of cardiac arrest.

He added that DCAS has five first aid intensive care units with two stationed at Deira, two in Bur Dubai and one near Dubai Marina.

The incident occurred on July 22 at 10.37am and paramedics arrived at the scene within four minutes of receiving the call.