On 1/5, Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Van Quang, Head of the Intensive Care and Anti-poisoning Department at Children's Hospital 1, reported that the patient was admitted to the emergency room with blue lips, an irregular heartbeat, and a life-threatening episode of ventricular tachycardia.

According to family members, one day prior, the child experienced only a mild fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. By the next morning, her symptoms worsened, with the onset of palpitations and a pounding heart, prompting her family to rush her to the hospital.

Doctors diagnosed fulminant myocarditis. They quickly initiated respiratory support and administered antiarrhythmic medication. Cardiologists implanted a temporary pacemaker to stabilize her heart rate before transferring her to the Intensive Care Department. However, her condition continued to decline. Her heart contracted very weakly, and continuous ventricular arrhythmias led to cardiovascular collapse, with a high risk of cardiac arrest.

A red alert was immediately activated. The resuscitation team raced against time to deploy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to replace her heart and lung function, sustaining her life. Simultaneously, doctors applied hypothermia and continuous hemodiafiltration to protect her brain and limit multi-organ damage.

After about 20 minutes, the cyanosis improved, and the patient gradually regained a healthy color. However, for the next one week, her heart continued to beat weakly and irregularly, requiring complete dependence on ECMO, cardiotonic drugs, and antiarrhythmics.

Doctors from the Intensive Care and Anti-poisoning Department perform ECMO on the patient. *Photo: Provided by doctor.*

After nearly 11 days of intensive treatment, her heart and organ functions gradually recovered. The patient was weaned off ECMO on 21/4, then off the ventilator, becoming fully conscious with no lasting effects. One week later, she was discharged, bringing joy to her family and the medical team.

Acute myocarditis is commonly caused by viruses, most frequently Coxsackie B. In its early stages, the illness can be mistaken for the flu, presenting with mild fever, fatigue, cough, runny nose, or digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting. However, as the disease progresses, children may develop chest pain, difficulty breathing, cyanosis, cold extremities, arrhythmias, or even cardiovascular collapse. Without timely detection and treatment, the mortality risk is very high.

According to Associate Professor Quang, for severe cases, the mortality rate can reach 30-40%. Previously, fulminant myocarditis had a nearly 100% fatality rate. The advancement of ECMO technology now provides a lifeline for many critically ill pediatric patients.

Le Phuong