On September 8, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital informed the unit that it had successfully performed a rare and complex intervention for the first time, saving the life of the fetus right in the mother's womb. The success of interdisciplinary coordination has contributed to the development of Vietnamese fetal medicine.
Pregnant woman T.N.B (30 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) was pregnant for the first time and went to the hospital for examination at the 28th week of pregnancy with symptoms of difficulty breathing and fatigue.
Through fetal heart ultrasound, Associate Professor, Dr. Le Minh Khoi - Head of the Cardiovascular Imaging Unit - discovered a critical condition. The fetus suffered an epidural myocardial epidemic, severe heart failure and a giant placental tumor.
This tumor increases blood vessel bioavailability, increasing blood flow to the fetal heart, leading to overload and heart failure. This is a dangerous clinical situation.
According to Dr. Tran Nhat Thang - Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, premature birth at this time can lead to serious complications such as newborn infections, cerebral hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis. However, monitoring the progress every day, the unit found that it could not be delayed any longer.
The hospital quickly established a professional council, agreeing to intervene with blockage of blood vessels feeding tumors in the placenta with the goal of relieving pressure on the fetal heart and prolonging the pregnancy by at least 4 weeks.
Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Tan Duc - Head of the Department of Imaging Diagnosis - said that normally, endovascular intervention procedures are performed under the guidance of X-rays. However, to protect the fetus from radiation exposure, the entire process this time must be done under ultrasound instructions.
Passing the needle through the abdominal wall into the uterus of the pregnant woman to locate and accurately access the main blood vessels of the tumor requires high accuracy, smooth coordination and experience of the intervention team.
Initially, the team used a coil (a small metal spring) to block the tumor's vessel. However, due to the large blood flow, the flow could not be completely blocked.
The crew decided to use bi Glue to fill the gaps around the coil and blood vessels. This operation requires almost absolute accuracy, because if bi Glue follows the blood flow into the heart or brain of the fetus, the risk of clogged blood vessels is very high and can lead to death.
After the intervention, the blood flow to the fetal heart rate decreased rapidly, the tumor shrunk and the fetal heart condition was restored. The pregnancy lasts up to 39.5 weeks.
The baby was born safely, without any emergency intervention. Currently, the baby is over 4 months old, in stable health, developing well and being monitored periodically after giving birth.
Ms. T.N.B shared that when she was informed about the critical condition, she still could not hide her anxiety and fear because this was the first time the technique was applied, with many potential risks.
"I hope this successful song opens new steps for fetal medicine in Vietnam, helping many other families have more hope like us today" - Ms. B said.
