The Journey of bringing the donor’s heart to Hue Central Hospital. Photo: Hue Central Hospital

Previously on January 26, after receiving information of organ donor from the National Center for Organ Transplantation that there was a brain dead patient at Viet Duc Hospital; Prof. Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital promptly dispatched a team of doctors to Hanoi, bringing along a blood sample to assess the compatibility of donor organs with recipient in Hue.

At 2 a.m., on January 27, when the results showed that the cross-match reaction was compatible with recipient of heart transplant in Hue, doctors and patients were extremely happy, preparing for the next step of the journey.

At 8 a.m., January 27, the surgical team started taking organs. At 11:20 a.m., the heart was removed from the donor's body and transported to Noi Bai airport, departed at 12:30 a.m., and scheduled to land at 13:50 at Da Nang airport. 

Doctors performing heart transplant for the patient in Hue Central Hospital. Photo: Hue Central Hospital

With the effective coordination of the authorities, Vietnam Airlines, the direct support of the National Center for Organ Transplant and Viet Duc Hospital in the removal of organs performed by Hue Central Hospital; the donated heart was successfully transported to Hue Central Hospital's Cardiologic Operation Room at 4:20 p.m., and placed in the recipient's chest at 4:40 p.m.

Here, it was overwhelmed with joy when the heart was beating in the chest of the recipient at 18:15 on January 27, leaders of the National Center for Organ Transplant, leaders of Hue Central Hospital, especially the team of surgeons were relieved to share their happiness after many efforts against the distance and time to save the patient’s life.

This is a gift of the new year with a tremendous meaning, as the patient was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy for 13 years, and in end-stage heart failure; severely low VG function with EF: 14%, PAPs: 65mmHg ... The patient's life would be ended if there was no heart transplant. By 7 a.m., on January 28, the patient had intubation removed, all parameters were good and stable.

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