Da Nang Hospital successfully saves foreign patient's life with ECMO support
DNO - The Da Nang Hospital has successfully treated a foreign patient who was admitted in critical condition with cardiogenic shock, septic shock and severe respiratory failure, thanks to the timely deployment of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation).
Patient Kim J.H., 24, a South Korean national, was transferred to the Da Nang Hospital in a state of severe respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, and drastically low blood pressure.
Based on clinical examination and specialized tests, doctors determined the patient suffered from infection-related myocarditis with rapid progression.
Following a multidisciplinary consultation, the hospital’s doctors decided to prescribe VA-ECMO to support both cardiac and pulmonary function, maintain blood circulation and oxygenation, and allow time for myocardial recovery.
The implementation posed challenges due to the patient’s obesity, but with their professional expertise, the hospital's medical team successfully performed the procedure.
During ECMO support, the patient received comprehensive intensive care, including mechanical ventilation, deep sedation, muscle relaxation, antibiotic therapy, continuous renal replacement therapy, as well as blood and platelet transfusions.
After more than six days of treatment, the patient's heart and lung functions improved significantly, meeting the criteria for ECMO weaning.
The patient continued to be monitored and received intensive care. Currently, his health condition is stable, and he is conscious, breathing independently. He has been discharged from hospital.
According to Dr. Nguyen The Minh Tung from the Department of Cardiovascular Intensive Care at the Da Nang Hospital, myocarditis can progress rapidly and become life-threatening, especially in young people.
He advised the public to seek medical attention when experiencing such symptoms as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, or fainting after fever or flu.
Patients should also rest adequately during illness, avoid strenuous activity, and proactively prevent disease through vaccination and regular health check-ups, he added.