Man Survives 40 Hours Cardiac Arrest in China
A truly remarkable medical case has occurred in China: a 40-year-old man survived cardiac arrest that lasted over 40 hours.
Doctors at Zhejiang University Hospital were able to fully restore the patient’s heart function using modern extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology, according to the Chinese newspaper Sohu.
This case clearly demonstrates the capabilities of modern resuscitation for fulminant myocarditis, one of the most dangerous and rapidly progressing inflammations of the heart muscle.
What happened: Cardiac arrest
The man was admitted to the hospital with classic symptoms of heart problems—chest tightness and severe shortness of breath. He soon developed sudden cardiac arrest.
The presumptive diagnosis is fulminant myocarditis, in which the immune system violently attacks the myocardium, often due to a viral infection.
Doctors performed nearly 10 defibrillation attempts but were unable to restore spontaneous rhythm. The patient’s life was sustained for an extended period solely by heart-lung bypass and ventilator support.
The VA-ECMO (venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) system played a key role in saving his life. This device temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, supplying oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide.
For over 40 hours, the patient’s heart was essentially ineffective. Only after this period of intensive care did the myocardium gradually begin to recover and the heart rhythm return to normal.
The ECMO machine remained connected for approximately 10 more days. After the support was withdrawn, the patient spent approximately 20 days in the hospital, regained consciousness, and was discharged home without significant neurological or other serious complications.
Typically, if the heart stops for more than 10-15 minutes, the chances of survival without severe brain damage are extremely slim. Here, we’re talking about 40+ hours without effective cardiac function.
These results were made possible by the rapid initiation of ECMO and the highest level of resuscitation.
Chinese clinics have accumulated significant experience using ECMO for fulminant myocarditis, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is fulminant myocarditis?
Fulminant myocarditis is a rare but extremely aggressive form of heart muscle inflammation. It is most often caused by viruses (enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and sometimes SARS-CoV-2).
The disease can develop in perfectly healthy young people and lead to cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest within a few hours.
This case highlights the importance of modern technologies in cardiology and resuscitation. ECMO programs are also actively developing in major medical centers in Ukraine and Europe.
The story of a Chinese patient is a shining example of how modern medicine can work miracles even in seemingly hopeless situations.
Thanks to the timely use of ECMO, the man returned to normal life after two days of cardiac arrest.
We previously reported on a clone of a deceased son created using artificial intelligence. This is how a Chinese family decided to hide the death of their son, who died in an accident, from his 80-year-old mother.
