UK (Commonwealth Union)_ An Indian-American student pursuing his studies in London has been inspired to choose a career in medicine following the remarkable efforts of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals, who successfully resuscitated him and saved his life when his heart stopped six times. Atul Rao, originally from Seattle and a student at Baylor University in Texas, encountered a life-threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism, wherein a blood clot in his lungs obstructed blood flow to his heart, causing cardiac arrest. Rushed to London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Hammersmith Hospital, scans revealed that the clots in his lungs were hindering blood circulation.
Recently, Rao, accompanied by his parents, returned to the hospital to express his heartfelt gratitude. Prior to this harrowing experience, Rao had contemplated his career path, pondering whether to pursue medicine or venture into business. However, his near-death encounter had a profound impact on him, prompting a resolute decision. Rao expressed his newfound purpose during the visit, stating, “Before this happened, I was starting to wonder if I was doing the right thing doing medicine and whether I should be going into business instead. But the minute I woke up, I knew. I want to use my time in a productive way. I want to use my second chance at life by helping others.”
Currently in the final year of his pre-med degree, which will pave the way for his further studies in medicine, Rao’s ordeal unfolded on July 27 when he was found collapsed by fellow students. Quick actions from his peers, along with chest compressions (CPR) administered by an Imperial College London security guard, preceded the arrival of London Ambulance Service crews. Nick Sillett, a paramedic with the ambulance service, recalled the grim circumstances at the time of the incident, underscoring the miraculous turnaround since then. Nick Sillett, the ambulance service’s paramedic, said, “The last time I saw Atul I didn’t think he was going to survive. To meet him again and speak with his parents after giving them such terrible news was a very special moment in my 18 years in this job”.
The medical staff at Hammersmith Hospital worked tirelessly to keep Atul alive, and he was transported to St. Thomas’ Hospital the following day in case he required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support—a life-saving system that can temporarily replace the functions of the heart and lungs. Fortunately, the clot-dissolving medications had begun to take effect, and other life support devices enabled his recovery without the need for ECMO. Dr. Louit Thakuria, a critical care consultant at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s Hammersmith Hospital, emphasized the collective effort that contributed to Atul’s remarkable journey to recovery. According to Dr Louit Thakuria, “This was a real team effort and so many people helped ensure Atul was able to be here. It’s a privilege to be a part of that and hear that you have helped make such a positive impact”.
Atul’s father, Ajay, who works for a software company in the US, expressed his profound gratitude to the healthcare institutions in London, describing them as places of worship for his family. He recounted the anguish he felt during his flight to London, aware that critical decisions were being made about his son’s life. Mother Srividhya, a mathematics professor in Seattle, praised the dedicated medical teams and their compassionate care, highlighting the transformative impact this experience has had on her son’s life and their perspective on the world. Atul’s recovery serves as a powerful testament to the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals and the enduring spirit of hope and gratitude.
