A dramatic video footage of an internal medicine specialist performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, on a patient for nearly 30 minutes has gone viral on social media. In the undated clip, the doctor can be seen vigorously continuing chest compressions with focus and determination inside an intensive care unit (ICU), refusing to give up.

According to the post accompanying the video, the patient was eventually revived.

On social media, users were elated, describing it as a “miracle,” while many have also questioned whether survival is even medically possible after 30 minutes of cardiac arrest.

A cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops beating or beats so fast that it stops pumping blood. When your heart is not pumping blood, this puts your organs and whole body at risk of death within minutes because they need a constant supply of oxygen.

Doctors say that with the condition, most people usually collapse and do not respond. Symptoms start without warning. This is why people also call this life-threatening condition sudden cardiac arrest.

According to experts, it is possible that with a 30-minute CPR you can save someone’s life – especially in a hospital setting or under specific circumstances. Doctors say even though it is more likely that the rate of survival lowers if the duration of CPR increases, successful resuscitation after 30–60 minutes is well-documented, especially if the cause of the arrest is reversible.

"Survival is possible even after 30 minutes of CPR, provided CPR is initiated immediately after the patient collapses and is performed effectively until return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is achieved. However, if CPR is delayed by five to six minutes after collapse, patients may sustain brain injury," said Dr. Virbhan Balai, Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals. "Practically, if a patient collapses and CPR is started immediately, continued effectively for a prolonged duration until ROSC, and followed by appropriate post-resuscitation care, the survival of a patient is quite possible," he added.

A few factors that determine the outcome include:

Also read:Mammootty Opens Up on Losing Smell and Taste: Sensory Health Warning You Shouldn’t Ignore

CPR keeps oxygen-rich blood circulating when the heart has stopped. In hospital settings, especially in an ICU, it helps to:

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now