On 4/8, representatives from E Hospital reported that a 20-year-old man suddenly lost consciousness and suffered a cardiac arrest while exercising at the gym. Gym staff performed CPR and called emergency services. Paramedics arrived 15 minutes later and continued resuscitation efforts, administering three defibrillator shocks to restore his heartbeat.
The patient was transported to the emergency room in a coma with dilated pupils. After a multi-disciplinary consultation, doctors determined the cause to be a ventricular arrhythmia leading to sudden cardiac arrest. Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, which has no clear cause related to heart structure, coronary artery disease, or metabolic disorders, is more common in young men.
The hospital initiated a "code red," intubating the patient for mechanical ventilation and administering sedatives and anti-edema medication. Doctor Nguyen Thi Ly from the Intensive Care Unit assessed the patient's condition as critical, with a poor prognosis. The medical team decided to implement therapeutic hypothermia.
Therapeutic hypothermia lowers the body temperature to 32-36°C (89.6-96.8°F), reducing cellular metabolism and oxygen consumption, stabilizing nerve cell membranes, limiting cerebral edema, suppressing inflammation, and decreasing the production of free radicals. The effectiveness of this technique depends heavily on the initial first aid response. Fortunately, the patient received prompt attention, experienced a short cardiac arrest period, and underwent immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, leading to a positive prognosis.
After three days of treatment, the patient's consciousness significantly improved. He no longer required vasopressors, was breathing on his own, and had the endotracheal tube removed. He is currently under observation at the hospital.
Doctor Vu Van Ba, from the Adult Cardiology Department of the Cardiovascular Center, noted that some dangerous arrhythmias have no prior symptoms and can cause sudden cardiac arrest. These conditions include Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome, early repolarization syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. These are primarily genetic conditions, detectable only through early cardiac screening.
Doctors emphasize that sudden cardiac arrest can occur at any age and affect any gender. While exercise is essential, people should tailor their workouts to their age and health condition, avoiding overexertion. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing stress, and following a balanced diet are crucial. If chest pain persists for more than 10-15 minutes or causes difficulty breathing, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Thuy Quynh
