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| Heart transplant performed overnight |
Earlier, on June 12, Hue Central Hospital received information about organ and tissue coordination from a brain-dead donor at Thong Nhat Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City) through the National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation.
Due to an unfavorable flight schedule, the team traveled by car to Da Nang to catch the flight departing at 1:30 PM on June 13. According to the original plan, after completing the organ and tissue retrieval process, the team would return to Hue on flight VN7366 at 9:30 PM the same day. Thanks to effective coordination, the process of organ collection and preservation was shortened; all organs and tissues were loaded onto the plane at 8:46 PM and landed safely at Phu Bai Airport (Hue) at 10:28 PM.
After that, the transplant teams urgently carried out the surgeries overnight, promptly saving the patients. While simultaneously performing these critical organ transplants, the team of doctors and medical staff had to coordinate personnel and shifts to meet the required medical expertise and ensure absolute safety in every transplant procedure.
The heart was transplanted into a patient with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy, who had shown very poor response to medical treatment, with severely reduced left ventricular function with LVEF 17–21%. The patient had experienced multiple cardiac arrests, posing a serious threat to life. The heart started beating again in the recipient’s chest at 12:35 AM on June 14. Three types of inotropic (heart-supporting) drugs at moderate doses were used, and extracorporeal circulation support lasted 66 minutes.
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| The patient's mother was allowed to visit, talk to, and encourage her child |
Ms. L.T.T.Th., the mother of the pediatric patient, was moved to tears during her first visit after her child’s liver transplant surgery. She encouraged her child to eat well and exercise so they could soon reunite with their family after a long period of living in the hospital. “This is truly a miracle of life! Even in my dreams, I never imagined my child would have a new life from this point on. Her father passed away just two years ago, and I’ve been raising the children on my own - it hasn’t been easy. I never expected such a blessing from heaven, and the doctors and nurses have turned that miracle into reality. I can’t fully express my overwhelming joy and gratitude. I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to the organ donor and to the medical team who have tirelessly and compassionately cared for my child,” the mother shared with emotion.
In addition, two patients with corneal dystrophy from Quang Tri and Nghe An have also regained their sight during this transplant mission. Mr. T.N.B., 44 years old from Nghe An, shared: “I was working abroad when I discovered the disease and experienced vision loss, so I had to return to Vietnam a few months ago. Now that I have received a cornea transplant, I can go back to work and support my wife and children. One day, I will also donate my organs as a way of giving back to life.”
According to Professor Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, the person directly overseeing and coordinating the transplants: “Each organ transplant is a miraculous journey where life continues through love and compassion. What is most noble is the silent, deeply humane sacrifice of the organ donor and their family, who help write the next chapter in the miraculous recovery of patients suffering from organ failure and holding on each day in hope of another chance at life.”