Patient over 80 years old miraculously recovers after complex cardiovascular surgery

(Dan Tri) - Hospitalized in a state of severe heart failure, grade 4/4 tricuspid regurgitation causing the heart to expand twice as large as normal, combined with arrhythmia, the elderly patient thought he would have a hard time escaping death.

After a major surgery using two techniques at the same time: tricuspid valve repair and atrial fibrillation ablation, the medical team at Vinmec Times City ( Hanoi ) helped the patient recover his health spectacularly.

Rare case of "forgotten valve"

Mr. Han Phu Dung (81 years old, Quang Ninh ) has a history of more than 20 years of living with congenital heart valve prolapse, and has to depend on medication to maintain his health. Over time, the effect of the medication gradually decreased, and his condition became more and more serious. Prolonged heart failure, tricuspid valve regurgitation, atrial fibrillation complications, and a history of cerebral infarction, frequent shortness of breath, and fatigue made it impossible for the patient to continue medical treatment.

In November, Mr. Dung was hospitalized in a state of exhaustion, unable to breathe normally or move on his own, and losing the ability to hear or speak. Doctors determined that he had severe valve prolapse causing tricuspid regurgitation at a level that required emergency surgical intervention. This is a rare case, also known as the "forgotten valve", due to the lack of research and optimal treatment methods.

Surgery also poses many challenges due to the patient's advanced age and severe injury. To minimize risks, the surgery not only requires the shortest possible time, but also requires optimal techniques to ensure effectiveness and success. At the same time, the patient also needs atrial fibrillation ablation to treat the arrhythmia, eliminating the risk of recurrent cerebral infarction or stroke. This requires both surgeries to be performed in the same operation.

Dr. Dang Quang Huy, Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Center at Vinmec, said that the team of doctors applied a special technique to repair the tricuspid valve. Accordingly, the doctors reshaped the tricuspid valve, dividing it into two valve holes to restore function. This surgery was also combined with atrial fibrillation ablation - a method of treating atrial fibrillation by destroying the tissue areas in the heart that cause arrhythmia. Combining the two techniques in the same surgery helps to optimally resolve the disease.

Mr. Dung and his family discussed his health condition and surgical plan with the doctor before treatment.

Patient recovers with spectacular results

With the smooth coordination between the surgeon and the surgical team, the surgery was performed safely in the shortest possible time. After only 4 hours, both complex techniques were successfully performed, the patient was removed from the ventilator early and recovered quickly.

"I feel better, no longer have difficulty breathing or fatigue like before. After the surgery, I felt like I had just woken up, I didn't feel any pain, just as the doctor said," the patient said.

After just under a week of surgery, the patient was discharged with impressive results: the heart rate returned to normal, the tricuspid valve closed, and the heart chamber size returned to almost normal.

"When my father was admitted to the hospital, the family was mentally prepared for the worst, not thinking he would survive. But like a dream, not only was he healthy, he could also walk steadily and eat well. This joy is incomparable," the patient's daughter shared.

Just 1 week after the major surgery, Mr. Dung was able to talk, walk by himself and felt no pain.

Having undergone surgery before at another medical facility, the patient's son said his father's recovery was a miracle: "I had heart surgery before, mitral valve repair. After a month, I was still in a lot of pain and couldn't do the things my father could do after just a week."

After major surgery, patients are placed on a post-operative atrial fibrillation management program, which helps monitor their health and prevent potential complications.

Vinmec pioneers in applying ESP pain relief technique in heart surgery.

Since November 2017, Vinmec Healthcare System has pioneered the application of ESP pain relief technique for 100% of cardiovascular surgeries, achieving outstanding results: no patient required opioids or morphine after surgery, no complications such as hematoma, hypotension or anesthetic poisoning. On average, patients can be discharged after only 5-7 days and return to normal activities within a month, no longer feeling pain.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/benh-nhan-hon-80-tuoi-phuc-hoi-ky-dieu-sau-ca-dai-phau-tim-mach-phuc-tap-20241218104810725.htm