With severe pain in the epigastric region and chest area behind the sternum, accompanied by vomiting and difficulty breathing, Ms. H (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) was taken by her family to Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City for emergency treatment.
Ms. H was assigned an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. The results confirmed that the patient had an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (a coronary artery blockage requiring emergency intervention).
While the doctors were consulting, the patient suddenly went into cardiac arrest. The medical team performed chest compressions, electric shocks, and placed a temporary pacemaker through the skin. Three minutes later, her heart started beating again and Ms. H regained consciousness.
After that, the doctors intervened to place an emergency stent for the patient. 5 days later, Ms. H was discharged from the hospital.
It is known that before that, when she felt prolonged pain in the epigastric region accompanied by vomiting, Ms. H went to see a gastroenterologist at a hospital near her home. The doctor suspected that she had gastroesophageal reflux and ordered a gastroscopy.
The results showed mild gastritis and hiatal hernia. She was prescribed medication to monitor at home, but after 1 week, her condition did not improve.
According to Dr. Huynh Van Muoi Mot - Deputy Head of the Emergency Department of Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, this is a typical case of myocardial infarction showing symptoms of digestive disease.
Coincidentally, when Mrs. H's gastroscopy also detected abnormalities, it was easier for the doctor to focus on this detail and ignore the signs suggesting a heart attack. A heart attack had the opportunity to erupt.
Doctors warn that the transition from chest pain to myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest can happen very quickly. Without timely and proper emergency measures, the patient can easily die suddenly.
Therefore, when there are signs of chest pain behind the sternum, left chest pain or epigastric pain with vomiting, you should go to the hospital and perform related clinical tests to determine the risk of myocardial infarction.
Xuyen A Long An General Hospital (Long An province) also successfully treated 2 cases of acute myocardial infarction in critical condition.
Mr. L.V.U (54 years old, Long An) was living normally, suddenly had a severe chest pain, accompanied by fatigue and sweating. His family quickly took Mr. U to a medical facility near his home.
The patient was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, bradyarrhythmia and was transferred to Xuyen A Long An General Hospital.
The hospital-wide red alert protocol was also activated. After the examination, the medical team performed dilation and stent placement. Immediately after the intervention, blood flow was restored well. The patient was out of danger, recovered well, and was discharged from the hospital.
MSc. Dr. Nguyen Cong Van - Head of Cardiology Department, Xuyen A Long An General Hospital informed that for patients with myocardial infarction, time is everything.
Cardiovascular intervention is the best way to help doctors race against time to save the patient's life. The golden time to save the heart is the first 12 hours and the procedure is most effective in the first 3 hours.
Timely emergency intervention will help reduce the risk of death many times over, while also significantly reducing serious cardiovascular complications later on for the patient.
