First Heart Transplant at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital
A successful heart transplant that lasted 10 hours and involved nearly 100 healthcare professionals took place at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital.
On the night of August 24, into the early hours of August 25, 2024, the hospital performed its first heart transplant for a 37-year-old patient, L.A.H., from Gia Lai Province. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of the hospital, said that L.A.H. was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and had very poor heart function. Without a timely transplant, he would not have survived much longer. The patient was registered with the National Organ Coordination Center, and fortunately, on the morning of August 24, they received notification of a suitable heart from Saint Paul General Hospital in Hanoi.
The journey of the donated heart began in the operating room at Saint Paul Hospital in Hanoi at 8pm on August 24 and garnered nationwide attention. The heart was protected by hundreds of medical staff and coordinated by various agencies during its journey to Ho Chi Minh City that very night.
The surgery lasted five hours, starting with an incision to implant the heart into the patient at midnight on August 24 and concluding at 3am on August 25. Everyone involved maintained intense focus, with every minute - and even every second - carefully calculated. After the transplant, L.A.H. was monitored and cared for under strict sterile conditions by doctors and nurses in the Intensive Care Unit. “This is a very special situation. Our family is incredibly grateful to the entire medical team for their professionalism and dedication in treating my brother. The hospital handled everything very quickly and thoughtfully. We are truly moved and thankful to everyone who helped my brother get this second chance at life,” L.A.H.’s brother emotionally said.
As of now, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital has performed one heart transplant, 53 liver transplants, and 48 kidney transplants.
The first heart transplant at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital represents a miraculous journey that showcases compassion and love for humanity while demonstrating the skills and expertise of Vietnam's medical team./.
- By Vu Hai Son Translated by Hong Hanh