Da Nang C Hospital said on Sept. 16 that it had successfully treated the tourist, identified as L.A., after he was admitted with severe gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic shock and multiple organ failure.

Shortly after flying from Macao, China, to Da Nang, the patient suddenly began vomiting large amounts of fresh blood.

When he was admitted to the hospital’s Gastroenterology Department, he was agitated, his blood pressure was falling and he showed signs of cardiovascular collapse. He was immediately transferred to the Intensive Care and Poison Control Department.

Doctors diagnosed severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, suspected to have been caused by ruptured esophageal varices amid suspected underlying cirrhosis, complicated by hemorrhagic shock and multiple organ failure.

Tests showed severe acute blood loss and decompensated metabolic acidosis, with his lactate level reaching 19 mmol/L, along with liver and kidney failure.

At one point, he fell into a coma as his blood pressure continued to fall, requiring high doses of vasopressor medication.

The intensive care team immediately began advanced resuscitation.

The patient was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation, given blood and blood products, and treated with vasopressors to maintain blood pressure and adequate blood flow to his organs.

At the same time, doctors coordinated an emergency gastrointestinal endoscopy to identify and control the source of the bleeding.

His blood gases, lactate levels, coagulation status and liver, kidney and other organ functions were closely monitored. Doctors also prepared options for organ support, including dialysis if necessary.

During the first days of treatment, the patient remained dependent on mechanical ventilation and vasopressors while his multiple organ failure evolved unpredictably. Doctors considered his risk of death high.

Adding to the difficulty, the tourist had no relatives in Vietnam and was accompanied only by a Myanmar friend. The medical team had to provide intensive treatment and support while navigating language and personal circumstances.

His condition gradually improved. His circulation stabilized, the shock was brought under control and his organ function began to recover.

After 10 days of treatment, he regained consciousness and was successfully weaned from the ventilator and extubated. His breathing and ability to carry out daily activities also gradually returned to normal.

In a letter of thanks, L.A. expressed his gratitude for the medical team’s dedicated care and the treatment he received at Da Nang C Hospital.

Doctors said the foreign tourist’s recovery from the life-threatening condition was the result of intensive resuscitation, multidisciplinary coordination and continuous care.

Ho Giap