A miraculous recovery thanks to lung and heart transplants.

The longest-surviving lung transplant recipient or the first person to receive both a heart and lung transplant in Vietnam—those who were once on the brink of death—can now smile, be healthy, and hold hands to express their gratitude to organ donors and medical professionals.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•23/09/2025

A miraculous recovery thanks to lung and heart transplants - Photo 1.

Ms. Q. (center) was the first person to receive a simultaneous heart-lung transplant at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital - Photo: Hospital provided.

This extraordinary encounter is not only a meeting of fortunate individuals, but also a testament to the progress of Vietnamese medicine on the world organ transplantation map.

The miraculous journey of two "reborn" lungs.

Among the lung transplant recipients from five years ago, Mr. Nguyen Van Kh. (38 years old, Hanoi ) was deeply moved to meet the doctors and nurses who had "given him a second chance at life." Before the transplant, he weighed only 40kg, relied on a ventilator, and his body was almost completely depleted of vitality due to end-stage bronchiectasis.

The 15-hour double lung transplant surgery gave him a chance to rebuild his life. Five years later, Mr. Kh. can now walk on his own, take care of himself, and do light work to help support his family.
"The day I was able to breathe on my own without a ventilator, I burst into tears. That was the moment I knew I had been born a second time," he recalled, his voice choked with emotion.

Sharing in that joy, Ms. PTH, who had a late-stage atrial septal defect with severely damaged lungs and a constantly cyanotic body due to oxygen deprivation, successfully underwent a 12-hour lung transplant surgery.

In a single surgery, the doctors simultaneously transplanted two lungs and repaired an atrial septal defect – this success paved the way for the first heart-lung transplant in Vietnam later on.

Ms. H. said she never thought she could be healthy again after 5 years. During those 5 years, there hasn't been a single moment when she hasn't felt grateful to the lung donor and the doctors and nurses. "I've been able to live and be happy with my family for all those extra years," Ms. H. shared.

To sustain their lives, both patients had to strictly adhere to their treatment regimen – from taking anti-rejection medication and attending regular check-ups to undergoing rehabilitation exercises. After returning to their daily lives, they also became active members of the Organ Transplant Patient Club – a place where they share experiences and provide encouragement to those awaiting a miracle.

The first simultaneous heart-lung transplant.

Ms. Tran Nhu Q. (38 years old) had been warned by doctors that her life was only a matter of days. She suffered from Eisenmenger syndrome, irreversible right heart failure, and severe tricuspid valve regurgitation. Every breath was a battle, and all other treatments had become meaningless.

In that moment of despair, a glimmer of hope appeared: a simultaneous heart and double lung transplant – a technique that is extremely rare even globally, with only about 100 cases performed each year.

The surgery began with the participation of dozens of doctors and medical staff from various specialties: cardiology, thoracic surgery, anesthesiology, respiratory medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation, etc. Throughout the tense 7 hours, Ms. Q.'s entire heart and both lungs were replaced with a healthy heart-lung unit from a donor.

After surgery, Ms. Q. faced a new challenge: controlling infection due to the need for high doses of immunosuppressant drugs. Doctors continuously monitored her condition, balanced her medication, and provided intensive care, combined with hemodialysis to treat kidney failure.

The moment Ms. Q. took a deep breath with her new lung, the entire medical team erupted in joy. "Being given a new lease on life is the most miraculous thing in my life. I am grateful to the organ donor for giving me this chance to live. Thank you to the doctors for not giving up. Every breath today is a priceless gift," Ms. Q. emotionally shared on the day of her discharge, after 46 days of courageous struggle.

Mr. Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, shared that the success of the simultaneous heart-lung transplant confirms that Vietnam has mastered one of the most difficult techniques in modern medicine. "This is a new door for patients with end-stage heart and lung disease, who previously could only wait for fate," he said.

A miraculous recovery thanks to lung and heart transplants - Photo 2.

Graphics: T. ĐẠT

Milestones in the organ transplant journey

Not only did Viet Duc Hospital achieve a remarkable feat with its heart-lung transplant, but it also reached the milestone of successfully performing its 100th heart transplant.

Dr. Hung shared that heart transplantation, once considered a technique only available in countries with advanced medical systems, has now become routine at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital. From the first transplant, the doctors have gone through a 13-year journey and have now reached the milestone of 100 successful heart transplants.

While it previously took the entire country more than a decade to have 100 organ donations from brain-dead individuals, in just two years, 2024-2025, Viet Duc Hospital alone has seen an additional 50 cases.

The hospital also successfully performed a heart transplant on its oldest patient (70 years old) with multiple complex underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure – conditions that are considered to have a low survival rate according to international recommendations. The youngest patient to receive a heart transplant was 7 years old.

Behind those numbers lies a dramatic shift in public awareness. Many families, amidst the pain of loss, have bravely agreed to donate their loved ones' organs, giving the gift of life to other patients.

Thanks to the increased supply of organs, the hospital has made breakthroughs. "Previously, transplants were only done from completely healthy hearts, but now doctors are transplanting from acutely failing hearts, then supporting recovery with ECMO - an artificial heart-lung technique. This significantly expands the chances of saving patients with end-stage heart failure," Mr. Hung said.

Having surpassed 100 heart transplant surgeries, Viet Duc Hospital has not only saved hundreds of patients but has also become a training and technology transfer center for major hospitals such as Cho Ray and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, bringing heart transplant techniques closer to people nationwide.

Continue writing the story of your life...

Professor Nguyen Tien Quyet - former Director of Viet Duc Hospital, who has been involved in organ transplantation since its early days (1992) - emotionally recalled: "What motivates us is the patients. I once met a 12-year-old boy with congenital biliary atresia. When he was admitted to the hospital, he said: 'Doctor, please save me, otherwise I won't survive.' It was the patient's desire to live that made us never stop."

Currently, the number of organ donors from brain-dead individuals in Vietnam has increased, but it only accounts for about 10%. Professor Quyet expressed his hope that more people will register to donate organs to give others a chance at life, helping to continue the miraculous story for other patients.

Patients who were once on the brink of life and death are now smiling brightly, breathing fully, and embarking on a new journey.

Every beating heart, every breath of today's patients is a testament to the power of modern medicine and the compassion of the community. Those who donated organs have passed away, but a part of their bodies continues to live, to love, and to write the story of life in new forms.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoi-sinh-ky-dieu-nho-ghep-phoi-ghep-tim-2025092322422012.htm