The boy returned from the dead thanks to the "hibernation" technique
The patient suffered cardiac arrest and was saved by controlled hypothermia and implantation of a defibrillator.
At 4am on September 17, a 21-year-old man living in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, suddenly fainted and then fell into a coma, and was taken to a hospital near his home. After resuscitation, his heartbeat returned, and 4 hours later, the patient was transferred to Gia Dinh People's Hospital.
The patient was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, a congenital abnormality that can cause life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. The doctors raised the alarm in the hospital, and after consultation, decided to lower the body temperature to 33 degrees Celsius to preserve brain function. At the same time, the patient was implanted with a defibrillator.
Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung, Head of the Rhythmology Unit, Department of Cardiology, said that during the implantation process, the patient suddenly suffered from ventricular fibrillation. Doctors immediately performed an external electric shock to help the patient regain his heart. After about 40 minutes, the implantation of the defibrillator was completed and went smoothly.
The boy continued to be hypothermic at 33 degrees Celsius for the next 24 hours. By September 19, his body temperature was gradually warmed to 36 degrees, and the patient stopped using sedatives. The hypothermia technique, called "bear hibernation", helps freeze cells in the body, reducing metabolism. This will help save brain cells, reducing the risk of becoming a vegetative state.
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| The patient is now recovering. Photo:HH |
The most common symptom of Brugada syndrome is fainting due to transient heart rhythm abnormalities. The most severe form can lead to cardiac arrest due to ventricular arrhythmias. Sudden death can occur if not promptly treated with electrical shock. Most patients with Brugada syndrome may have no clinical symptoms.
The syndrome can occur at any age, usually appearing in young adults. People at high risk are those with a family history of sudden cardiac death, a personal history of severe arrhythmias, or severe fainting spells.
Brugada syndrome can be hereditary. If a person has Brugada syndrome, other family members are asked to have an electrocardiogram to screen for the disease and have appropriate treatment.
