VietNamNet Bridge – Her heart almost ceased activity completely for 12 hours, the patient was close to death but she was lucky to escape the hands of death miraculously.

When she was hospitalized, the patient's heart almost stopped. This state occurred for 12 consecutive hours before the patient was supported by the cardiopulmonary system outside the body in the bed for emergencies (Photo provided by a physician).

This lucky patient is being treated at the Department of Positive Health Recuperation of the Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital.

The patient is Nguyen Thi Thao, 27, from Thanh Ha District, Hai Duong Province. On December 20, 2012, Thao had a cough, fever, shortness of breath and chest pain. After being treated in a local hospital for two days, her dyspnea increased, Thao was transferred to the provincial hospital with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction or myocarditis.

Thao was transferred to Bach Mai Hospital in a state of alertness, body fatigue and shortness of breath. The doctors could not measure her blood pressure because of arrhythmia.

Immediately, doctors placed an emergency pacemaker in the heart chambers and endotracheal intubation for respiratory support.

Thao during the surgery and emergency (Picture provided by a physician).

When doctors could control the heart rate, they found that myocardial contractility was too weak to propel blood into the circulatory system, leading to shock.

The doctors were considering cardiopulmonary support in bed and immediately transfer Thao to the intensive care ward.

When being transferred to the medical intensive care ward, Thao was fully ventilated and suffered from cardiac arrhythmias, her blood pressure could not measured although she was maintained with four kinds of antiarrhythmic drugs for the heart with the maximum dose.

The tests showed that she was in multi-organ failure due to the organs not being perfused with blood because of the heart shock, and the patient would certainly die.

The doctors immediately started the cardiopulmonary system outside the body in bed (called ECMO).

"Normally, without this this system, the patient's heart and lungs will be processed in order to continue operations. But that will make the patient’s heart, lungs overloaded, because these organs are "sick." But with this system, the patient's heart and lungs can "rest" completely,” a doctor said.

The system will mix oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide, and then inject blood into the vascular system (actually do the work of the heart and lungs), bringing blood and oxygen throughout the body.

“In parallel with the operation of this system, doctors searched for and treated the cause of disease. The system only stops when the patient's heart and lungs are healthy and capable of independent operation again", said Dr. Nguyen Gia Binh, head of the intensive care ward of Bach Mai Hospital.

Back from the dead




On the 6th day after being rescued by the ECMO system, Thao could breathe normally.

After 2 weeks of treatment and close monitoring, Thao was completely healthy, could breathe and walk without any support.

Getting rid of the "hand of death," but to the date of discharge, Thao still did not believe in her luck.

Dr. Pham The Thach said that the ECMO technique has been applied by the Bach Mai hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Vietnam, from 2009. So far, six patients have been rescued by this technique.

"This technology will open the hope to save the lives of many patients with severe heart or lung diseases", Dr. Thach said.

Cam Quyen