On January 19, Da Nang Hospital confirmed that its Department of Cardiovascular Intensive Care had saved a foreign patient who was admitted in critical condition.

Kim J.H., born in 2002 and holding South Korean nationality, was transferred to the hospital with dangerously low blood pressure and severe breathing difficulties  -  clear signs of cardiogenic shock.

Following detailed clinical evaluations and laboratory tests, doctors diagnosed the patient with acute myocarditis triggered by an infection, which had escalated rapidly.

In response to the life-threatening condition, a multidisciplinary team was urgently assembled. Doctors decided to initiate extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)  -  a form of artificial heart-lung support  -  to maintain circulation, oxygenate the blood, and allow the heart time to recover.

The ECMO procedure was particularly complex due to the patient’s obesity, requiring advanced technique and precise teamwork across several specialties.

After more than six days of intensive care, the patient’s heart and lung functions began to improve significantly. He was weaned off ECMO and transitioned to regular monitoring in the ICU. At present, he is fully conscious, breathing on his own, and has been discharged in stable condition.

Doctors emphasized that young individuals should not ignore persistent symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath. These can be early indicators of serious conditions, including heart inflammation, and early intervention is key to avoiding potentially fatal complications.

Ho Giap