Rescuing a 7-month-old baby with severe congenital heart disease

A 7-month-old girl with complicated congenital heart disease and severe pneumonia was successfully treated by a team of doctors led by Doctor Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the City Children’s Hospital. The baby was admitted to the hospital after experiencing fever, cough, tired breathing, and paleness for two days. She was born with a complex congenital heart disease including transposition of the great arteries, subvalvular and pulmonary valve stenosis, patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, and ventricular septal defect.

The doctor provided respiratory support, heart support, and antibiotics to the child. After a week of treatment, the baby’s condition improved and she underwent heart surgery to treat the defects. However, after surgery, she experienced arrhythmia and tachycardia, with a heart rate of 200 beats per minute, much higher than the normal range for her age.

The medical team had to intervene with ECMO, a life-saving technique used to support patients with circulatory or respiratory failure. The baby’s condition was further complicated by multi-organ damage including liver and kidney failure, which required continuous dialysis in addition to ECMO support. After two weeks of intense treatment, the baby’s hemodynamic and respiratory status gradually improved, and she was able to be weaned off ECMO.

The doctor emphasized that this case was saved thanks to the combination of radical surgery and ECMO technical support. In the past, children with such serious conditions often had little chance of survival without access to modern resuscitation facilities. Thanks to the expertise of the medical team and the advanced technology available, this baby girl was able to overcome her complicated medical issues and recover.