China News Service, Wuhan, July 7 (Deng Guohuan) The 12-year-old boy handsome (pseudonym) suffered 4 cardiac arrests within two and a half hours due to fulminant myocarditis. The multidisciplinary medical team of Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology (“Wuhan Tongji Hospital” for short) used all their strengths to fight for life and death. On the afternoon of the 6th, Shuai Shuai was transferred from the Department of Pediatric Intensive Medicine (PICU) to the general ward.
Doctor provides surgery for Shuaishuai Photograph by Wuhan Tongji Hospital
Shuai Shuai suddenly began to have a fever, vomiting, and diarrhea on the evening of June 1. After going to a nearby hospital for treatment, he considered acute gastroenteritis, but it did not improve after taking the medicine. Three days later, the parents rushed to the pediatric emergency department of Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, where they were diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis.
The doctor introduced that fulminant myocarditis is an inflammatory process of myocardial cells caused by various infections, poisoning, and immune damage. It causes diffuse and severe damage to the myocardium, various arrhythmias, cardiac dysfunction, and large-scale myocardial necrosis. Because the onset symptoms often manifest as fever, fatigue, nasal congestion, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc., it is easy to be treated as a common cold and acute gastroenteritis.
Expert team discusses consultation and photo courtesy of Wuhan Tongji Hospital
When Shuaishuai was sent to PICU, his face was pale and his limbs were cold. The medical staff first gave a non-invasive ventilator to maintain breathing, but Shuaishuai's blood oxygen saturation could not return to normal, and he immediately performed tracheal intubation for invasive respiratory support. At this moment, Shuaishuai suddenly stopped. "Quick, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway attraction, and epinephrine administration." Finally, after six cycles of rescue, the handsome face gradually turned red.
"Later, Shuai Shuai appeared three more cardiac arrests, and seven doctors and nurses took turns performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation." Chen Yu, deputy director of PICU of the hospital, said. In response to his repeated cardiac arrest, the expert team decided to install a temporary pacemaker after the consultation and perform intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation surgery. His vital signs stabilized temporarily after the operation.
But shortly thereafter, Shuai Shuai's blood pressure suddenly dropped again, and the blood oxygen saturation was 89%. The doctor finally decided to implement ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) treatment. The need to maintain coagulation balance under ECMO treatment is a huge test for doctors. Doctors stay at the handsome bedside every day, carefully observe the parameter settings and changes of instruments such as ventilators and ECMO, and repeatedly discuss the most suitable treatment plan.
After some hard struggles, Shuai Shuai successfully evacuated from ECMO on June 10, evacuated his pacemaker on June 17, and passed the difficulties of infection and bleeding. He was transferred to the general ward on July 6. (Finish)