Chennai: Chennai emerged as a global hub for critical care medicine as it hosted the 12th Annual International South West Asia and Africa Chapter of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation (SWAAC ELSO) Conference, along with the 15th Annual National ECMO Society of India (ESOI) Conference, from February 7th and 8th, 2026, at Radisson Blu GRT.
The prestigious conference was organised by Dr K. Madhan Kumar, Director – ECMO & VAD, Senior
Consultant – Cardiothoracic, ECMO, VAD & Transplant Surgeon, and Dr Indira Jayakumar, Senior Consultant and Lead Paediatric Intensivist, along with Kauvery Hospital, and brought together some of the world’s leading experts in critical care, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, paediatrics, anaesthesiology, pulmonology, nursing, and perfusion technology.
Over 700 delegates from India and several other countries participated in the event, highlighting Chennai’s growing stature as a centre of excellence in advanced life-support medicine.
The conference focused on the expanding role of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in
managing patients with severe heart and lung failure. Over the past 15 years, ECMO has transformed intensive and emergency care, offering hope and improved survival in conditions once considered uniformly fatal.
This evolution was reflected in the conference sessions, where speakers shared real-world clinical experiences, emerging challenges, and evolving best practices in adult and paediatric ECMO care.
The scientific programme featured a strong blend of international and national faculty, including senior leaders from the global ELSO community. In addition to keynote lectures and panel discussions, participants engaged in hands-on workshops on ECMO cannulation, advanced VA and VV ECMO, ECPR, and paediatric ECMO, enabling practical, skill-based learning.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr K. Madhan Kumar said, “ECMO is no longer a last-resort therapy – it is
becoming an integral part of modern critical care. Our aim through this conference was to share knowledge, standardise practices, and empower healthcare professionals to deliver timely and effective ECMO support, especially in complex cardiac and pulmonary failures where all other modalities couldn’t help.” He added, “Hosting this international conference in Chennai reflects the city’s growing leadership in advanced critical care and transplant medicine.”
Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital, remarked, “At Kauvery Hospital, we believe that world-class healthcare is built on strong clinical expertise, continuous learning, and global collaboration. Supporting and hosting this conference aligns with our vision of making advanced life-saving technologies accessible to patients across the region.” He further said, “We are proud of our ECMO team for their dedication and excellence. Conferences like this strengthen our healthcare ecosystem and ultimately benefit patients who need the most advanced critical care.”
SWAAC ELSO, in collaboration with ESOI, continues to play a vital role in promoting the safe and effective use of ECMO, including in resource-limited settings. The conference further advanced this mission by fostering collaboration, research, and knowledge-sharing across countries.
The SWAAC ELSO & ESOI Conference 2026 concluded on a high note, leaving participants with enhanced clinical insights, stronger professional networks, and a renewed commitment to improving survival and quality of life for critically ill patients worldwide.