Near-Death Rescue: Hospital Saves 20-Year-Old After Severed Artery, Cardiac Arrest

In a remarkable display of medical expertise and swift action, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has successfully saved the life of a 20-year-old man who suffered a catastrophic injury, including a severed left subclavian artery and cardiac arrest. The patient, identified as T.X.T., was rushed to the emergency room following a severe accident that left him with multiple chest traumas and profuse bleeding.

“

The patient had multiple wounds on his chest, the most serious being a wound at the base of the left neck that was bleeding profusely.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Vy, a leading thoracic and vascular surgeon at the hospital, the patient's condition was extremely critical upon arrival. With unmeasurable blood pressure and signs of severe hemorrhagic shock, the situation rapidly deteriorated as the patient experienced cardiac arrest. The emergency team immediately initiated emergency blood transfusions and performed 20 minutes of external chest compressions to maintain circulation until the patient could be moved to the operating room.

“

The patient's blood pressure could not be measured, with signs of very severe hemorrhagic shock.

The surgical team, along with anesthesiologists and resuscitation specialists, worked tirelessly. Within an hour of admission, the patient was undergoing surgery while continuing to receive blood transfusions and intensive resuscitation. Dr. Vy highlighted the severity of the injury, noting that approximately 1.5 liters of blood had entered the left chest cavity, with an estimated additional 1.5 liters lost externally. Such a massive hemorrhage posed an extremely high risk of mortality without immediate intervention.

“

This is a very severe injury with a severed left subclavian artery – a large blood vessel near the heart. The amount of blood flowing freely into the left chest cavity was about 1.5 liters, while an estimated more than 1.5 liters of blood continued to escape through the wound. This is an injury with a very high risk of death if not treated within an extremely short time.

This successful outcome is a testament to the seamless collaboration between the emergency department, surgical teams, anesthesiology, and the blood bank. Director Dr. Vo Duc Chien praised the hospital's specialized emergency care capabilities and rapid response. The case not only signifies the saving of a life against overwhelming odds but also underscores the professional skill, urgent coordination, and resilience of the medical staff at Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in handling the most critical situations. This success also reflects the hospital's commitment to integrating experienced medical professionals from both clinical practice and academia, enhancing both specialized training and patient treatment quality.

“

After 5 days of intensive treatment and monitoring, the patient has fully recovered and was discharged in stable health.