Miracle of saving a patient with cardiac arrest on the highway

While traveling on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway (through Long An Province), an American Vietnamese suddenly had difficulty breathing, turned purple, and then went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick response of the emergency response team, the patient was able to overcome the jaws of death.

On June 20, Dr. Ngo Tuan Hiep, Director of Van An General Hospital ( Long An ), shared with Thanh Nien reporters about the spectacular journey to save the life of patient R. (73 years old, Vietnamese American) who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at 6:44 p.m. on May 31, while the car was moving on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong highway.

Cardiac arrest on the highway, luckily turned at the "crossroads of life and death"

According to the patient's family, Mr. R. and his family returned from the US to his hometown in Dong Thap province to visit relatives. On the day of the incident, the whole family traveled from Dong Thap to Ho Chi Minh City when Mr. R. suddenly had difficulty breathing and turned purple all over his body. At that time, the car was traveling on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong highway, about 1.5 km from the intersection to Tan An City (Long An).

Dr. Ngo Tuan Hiep, Director of Van An General Hospital, recounts the successful emergency treatment of patient R. who suffered a cardiac arrest while traveling on the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong highway - PHOTO: BAC BINH

"The patient's daughter immediately located the nearest hospital and asked the driver to turn onto the Tan An exit. About 6 minutes later, the patient was taken to the emergency room at Van An General Hospital in a state of cardiac and respiratory arrest," said Dr. Hiep.

Immediately, the emergency team led by Dr. Hiep performed chest compressions and placed an endotracheal tube. After a few minutes of chest compressions, the patient regained his pulse and blood pressure. However, a large amount of pink fluid came out of the endotracheal tube, and the SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) was only 60-70%. Acute pulmonary edema, suspected myocardial infarction, and very weak breathing.

In that tense moment, Dr. Hiep determined that this could be a case of acute myocardial infarction causing pulmonary edema and cardiac arrest. The patient was actively suctioned, given a ventilator and given medication to treat acute pulmonary edema. These activities were carried out very smoothly. After a few minutes of intensive first aid, the SpO2 index recovered to 95%.

The leaders of Van An General Hospital commended and encouraged the team's spirit of working together smoothly in the emergency treatment of patient R. - PHOTO: TH

"We know that this is just the first step, the patient needs more intensive resuscitation. I immediately contacted Dr. Tran Hoa at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and was agreed to transfer the patient," said Dr. Hiep.

A team of three nurses from Van An General Hospital immediately got into the ambulance. One person was in charge of pumping the balloon, one person was in charge of suctioning mucus, one person was in charge of monitoring blood pressure and continuously infusing medication during the transport. Within 60 minutes, the patient was taken to the Emergency Resuscitation Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.

Harmonious combination between provincial and central hospitals

At the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. R. received intensive care treatment for 6 days, was successfully removed from the ventilator and gradually recovered. He expressed his deep gratitude to the emergency team of Van An General Hospital, Dr. Tran Hoa and the medical staff who "pulled him back from the hands of death".

Dr. Hiep said that this case survived thanks to many key factors: the calmness and determination of the family, the timely and correct response of the emergency team, the correct treatment of acute pulmonary edema, safe transportation, and effective coordination with the upper level. However, it must be admitted that the patient was extremely lucky because the survival rate for similar cases is less than 10%.

In addition, during the entire process from the time the patient was discovered to have sudden cardiac arrest on the highway until being taken to the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, any mistake in handling the patient will cause the patient to die immediately. For example, on the highway, the family decided to move straight to Ho Chi Minh City...

According to Dr. Hiep, this case is a vivid demonstration of the important role of first-line emergency care in the health system. With just a few minutes of delay or mishandling, the patient's life can be lost. At the same time, the smooth connection between provincial and central hospitals has helped increase the patient's chances of survival.

"What makes me happiest is seeing a patient with cardiac arrest recover, smile as they leave the recovery room and say thank you. For an emergency doctor, nothing is more precious than that moment," Dr. Hiep shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ky-tich-cuu-song-benh-nhan-bi-ngung-tim-tren-duong-cao-toc-185250620110457011.htm