Successful cross-Vietnam heart transplant at University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Accordingly, the donated heart left operating room No. 2 of the Hanoi Saint Paul General Hospital at 8:00 p.m. on August 24, strictly protected and supported by hundreds of doctors, medical staff, and the coordination of many agencies and departments on the journey across Vietnam.

At 3:00 a.m. on August 25, this heart began to beat for the first time in LAH's chest at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

The time it took for Mr. T's donated heart from the time it was removed in Hanoi until it started beating again in the body of the heart transplant patient in Ho Chi Minh City was about 10 hours.

Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, shared that Mr. LAH, born in 1987, residing in Gia Lai, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, with very poor heart function and if he does not have a heart transplant in time, he will not live much longer.

The patient registered on the list of the National Organ Coordination Center, fortunately, in the early morning of August 24, we received notification that there was a suitable heart for the patient, this heart came from the Saint Paul General Hospital, Hanoi.

Upon receiving the information, the entire hospital system, involving hundreds of people, was immediately activated.

There are two things that make us very cautious. First, the patient has quite high pulmonary artery pressure, which can lead to postoperative heart failure, making the resuscitation process very difficult.

Second, the patient had Rh negative blood, a very rare case. This posed a big challenge in identifying the abnormal antibodies and preparing the appropriate blood for surgery. We promptly assigned the patient and performed the surgery successfully.

Associate Professor, Dr., Doctor Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

The surgery lasted 5 hours, from the time the skin was cut open for the heart to be transplanted into the patient's body at midnight on August 24th and ended at 3am on August 25th. Everyone was highly focused, every minute, even every second was carefully calculated.

The patient was admitted to the transplant intensive care unit.

After the surgery, the patient's hemodynamic condition was relatively stable but still needed close monitoring, especially in the first three days after surgery. Hopefully, after these three days, the patient's condition would improve.

The heart's safe journey outside the chest for 7 hours is a pride in the spirit of connecting wholeheartedly for the patient's life. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the family and the person who donated a part of their beloved body.

Sincere thanks to the leaders of the Ministry of Health, the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, Viet Duc Hospital, Saint Paul General Hospital, Vietnam Airlines, Noi Bai International Airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Hanoi City Police, Ho Chi Minh City Police for their help and creating all conditions for this heart transplant to be successful.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all colleagues who contributed to this success and congratulate the patient on receiving a new chance at life.

Associate Professor, Dr., Doctor Nguyen Hoang Bac, Director of University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Mr. LAK, brother of Mr. LAH, the heart recipient, emotionally expressed: On behalf of the family, we would like to send our deep thanks to the donor's family in Hanoi.

Our family will never forget this favor. At around 12 noon on August 24, we received a notice from the hospital that my brother needed to be in Ho Chi Minh City immediately for a heart transplant. With the intervention and help of the hospital, we were able to fly in on time.

“This is a very special situation. Our family is extremely grateful to the entire medical team for their professionalism and dedication in treating the patient. The hospital handled the situation very quickly and thoughtfully. We are truly touched and grateful to everyone who helped my brother get a second chance at life,” LAH’s brother emotionally shared.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ghep-tim-xuyen-viet-thanh-cong-tai-benh-vien-dai-hoc-y-duoc-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-post826908.html