Around 6:20 on 23/11, Nguyen Hoang Nam, 55, an oil and gas worker on an offshore oil rig near Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City, experienced sudden dizziness and chest pain. The onsite medical staff immediately activated the emergency rescue system. A helicopter, carrying a doctor, flew to the rig, provided first aid, and transported Nam to Vung Tau airport. From there, he was swiftly transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
Simultaneously, the medical team on the oil rig contacted FV Hospital, known for its expertise in complex cardiac cases, to prepare for the patient's arrival.
At 8:00, Master of Science, Doctor Nguyen Thanh Binh, from FV Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department, received the call from Vung Tau. He quickly discussed the patient's condition with the onsite doctor and estimated his admission time.
FV's emergency team immediately activated its urgent cardiac emergency protocol. Five specialized units were mobilized, including: emergency doctors to receive and quickly diagnose the patient; the cathlab team to prepare for intervention; an interventional cardiologist; a general cardiologist; and an ICU anesthesiologist.
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The patient received rapid intervention thanks to the pre-activated urgent cardiac emergency protocol. Photo: FV Hospital. |
The patient arrived at the hospital's emergency entrance at 11:00. Examining Nam directly, Doctor Thanh Binh diagnosed chest pain, signs of myocardial ischemia, and cold extremities. Test results confirmed an acute myocardial infarction, requiring urgent intervention.
Immediately, the patient was transferred to the cathlab, where the team of Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor Ho Minh Tuan, Head of the Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department, was ready. The entire process, from Nam's arrival at the Emergency Department to the start of the intervention, took less than 20 minutes.
Given the acute myocardial infarction, the only treatment was coronary intervention to clear the blockage. With assistance from the DSA angiography machine and modern supporting equipment, Doctor Tuan threaded a catheter from a small blood vessel in the arm to the blocked artery. "The patient's coronary lesion was located in the left main coronary artery, which is crucial for supplying blood to the heart; without immediate intervention, the mortality rate would be very high," explained Doctor Ho Minh Tuan.
After accessing the blocked blood vessel, Doctor Tuan threaded a wire and placed a stent to expand the lumen, verifying its optimal placement using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Immediately, blood flow to the heart was restored, the patient's cardiovascular indicators and blood pressure stabilized, heart function improved, and the long-term prognosis was favorable. The entire cathlab procedure took less than 40 minutes. One day later, the patient was conscious and recovering. Nam was discharged. After a one-week follow-up, he could resume exercise and daily activities.
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Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor Ho Minh Tuan examines the patient after the intervention. Photo: FV Hospital. |
"Suffering a heart attack at sea and enduring another six to seven hours of travel, I was fortunate to be saved by FV doctors. For me, this is a miracle," Nam shared.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Vietnam and worldwide, potentially causing sudden fatalities or severe disability if not detected and treated promptly. Therefore, every second counts in cardiac emergencies.
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FV's myocardial infarction emergency team is always ready. Photo: FV Hospital. |
"FV Hospital has a specialized diagnostic and activation protocol for acute myocardial infarction emergencies; patients move from the emergency entrance to the cathlab in a maximum of 30 minutes. For pre-notified transfer patients, the emergency process takes only about 15 minutes," said Master of Science, Doctor Nguyen Thanh Binh.
The Dan
* Patient's name has been changed
For more information on emergency myocardial infarction intervention at FV Hospital, readers can visit 6 Nguyen Luong Bang, Tan My ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City, or contact (028) 35 11 33 33. Emergency hotline: (028) 35 11 35 00.
