The boy returned from the dead thanks to "hibernation" technique

Le Phuong• September 23, 2018 09:11

The patient suffered from 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 disturbances. The hospital's doctors raised the alarm and 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 Internal Medicine and 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's heart return. 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. On September 19, his body temperature was gradually warmed to 36 degrees, and he stopped using sedatives. The hypothermia technique, called "bear hibernation", helps freeze the cells in the body, reducing metabolism. This will help save brain cells, reducing the risk of living a vegetative life.

The patient is now recovering. Photo:HH
Dr. Huynh Van An, Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poisoning, said that after 3 days of treatment, the patient is now awake, off the ventilator, the endotracheal tube removed, and his vital signs are stable. The patient is expected to be discharged in the next few days. "The important thing is that all organ functions are stable, there are no signs of organ failure, avoiding serious sequelae later. This is a great effort by doctors and nurses from many specialties," Dr. An analyzed.

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 death due to heart disease, a personal history of severe heart rhythm disorders, 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.

Le Phuong