Video of doctor thumping patient’s sinking pacemaker goes viral; netizens have too many questions – Times of India

A cardiologist has gained massive appreciation on social media for a video where he is seen reviving a collapsed patient. While some have hailed the doctor for this heroic act and timely use of medical science, some others have raised questions.

The incident happened in a clinic at Kolhapur in Maharashtra where CCTV footage has recorded the miraculous effort of Dr Arjun Adnaik, a renowned cardiologist. The video got viral after Rajya Sabha MP and BJP Spokesperson Dhananjay Mahadik shared it on Twitter. “This video shows an example of a real life hero living in our midst. Dr. Arjun Adnaik, one of the best cardiologists, from Kolhapur saving a patient’s life. I applaud such honourable and virtuous heroes,” the MP has tweeted.

The incident
As per the CCTV records, the incident happened around 2pm on September 3 in the OPD 1 of a hospital. Two people, one with a yellow T-shirt and the other one wearing a blue T-shirt are seen sitting in front of Dr Adnaik. Few other people are also seen in the room during that time.

Within a few moments, one of the men suddenly collapsed while sitting on the chair. Few seconds before collapsing he rubbed his knees and even tried to bang the table lightly.

Seeing the person collapse, the doctor immediately ran to him and started thumping his chest. In the 37-seconds long video, the doctor can be seen thumping the chest of the patient for more than 12 seconds. After recovery, the patient is seen sitting calmly on the chair and he even responds to the doctor.

People have hailed the doctor’s presence of mind.

However, many other have said the entire thing looked as if it was staged.

Read: Pain sensation in THESE 3 areas of the body could be a sign

“…but these kind of chest thumps don’t do anything”

“I am sorry but these kind of chest thumps don’t do anything. Its not CPR. And it has nothing to do with person waking up,” tweeted Dr Shariq Shamim, an Interventional Cardiologist.

Another Twitter user, Dr Milind Bhise, wrote, “It doent sims cardiac arrest, might be just fainting. It’s neither thumping nor CPR, and this was not treatment for Anything. Doctors r human, not god nor businessmen, so don’t praise too much or call robbers. Let us help how much we can.”

Another user wrote, “Never seen or heard such a CPR for Heart attack.. Dr goes back to his seat others just standing.. looks awkward”

Speaking to TOI, Dr Adnaik said he had done this several times. He also said that this is the first time it got recorded in CCTV installed in his OPD. He said people should use cardiac massage to revive a patient’s heart.

Pacemaker is a device that controls an irregular heart rhythm. It has flexible wires which are placed in the chambers of the heart. These wires deliver electrical pulses and adjust heart rate. It is required for those who have slow heart beats. It is also recommended to those in whom heart beats pause, causing fainting spells. It is also used to correct a fast beating heart.

What is CPR?

Victims of sudden cardiac arrest require CPR to prevent further damage. CPR increases the chance of survival of the patient. CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is done when the person is unconscious and is not breathing. In this mouth to mouth breathing and chest compressions are done to pump blood to the brain. It works on the principle of 30 chest compressions and 2 mouth to mouth breaths.

Steps of CPR everyone needs to know

  • Help the patient lie on back
  • Kneel beside the patient and place the heel of your hand on the centre of the chest
  • Keep your arms straight
  • Interlock your fingers and keep them tightly locked with each other
  • Keep your fingers raised and make sure they do not touch the rib cage of the bone of the patient
  • Press down on the chest; release the pressure
  • Repeat to give 30 compressions at the rate of 100 compressions per minute
  • Lift the chin of the patient; close the nostrils
  • Breathe into the patient’s mouth; stop when you see the chest rise
  • After the chest falls, repeat the breathing and compression
  • Each cycle should have 30 chest compressions, followed by two rescue breaths