Journey beyond the left chest: The miraculous nationwide heart transplant at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

August 25, 2024 – A nationwide heart transplant lasting 10 hours, involving nearly 100 medical staff from hospitals including Viet Duc Hospital, Xanh Pôn General Hospital, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, was successful.

As soon as the news was received from Xanh Pon Multispecialty Hospital about the possibility of obtaining a heart from a patient at risk of brain death, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital urgently dispatched a working team consisting of surgeons, medical experts, and social workers. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of the Hospital, directly participated in the heart extraction surgery and, together with the team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, transported the heart to Ho Chi Minh City as quickly as possible. Xanh Pon Multispecialty Hospital provided maximum facilitation for Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital to receive the donated organ. The goal is to ensure that the warm ischemia time of the heart is minimized as much as possible, so that the heart

can be transplanted into the recipient under the best conditions.

The heart left operating room number 2 of the Green Pon Hanoi Multispecialty Hospital at 8:00 PM on August 24, tightly protected and supported by hundreds of doctors, medical staff, along with the coordination of many agencies and ministries during its journey across Vietnam. At 3:00 AM on August 25, 2024, this heart began its first beat in the chest of Mr. L.A.H at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Deputy Director of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, shares about the special heart transplantation journey: “Mr. L.A.H, born in 1987, residing in Gia Lai, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, with very poor heart function, and if a timely heart transplant is not performed, he would not live much longer. The patient registered on the list of the National Organ Coordination Center, and fortunately, on the morning of August 24/8, we received a notification of a suitable heart for the patient, this heart came from Xanh Pon Multi-specialty Hospital, Hanoi.”

“When we received the information, the entire hospital system, with the participation of hundreds of people, was activated immediately. There are two things that make us very cautious. First, the patient has relatively high pulmonary arterial pressure, which can lead to postoperative heart failure, making the resuscitation process difficult. Second, the patient has a Rh-negative blood type, a very rare case. This poses a major challenge in identifying abnormal antibodies and preparing appropriate blood for the surgery. However, under the close direction of Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Hoàng Bắc – Director and the advice of the Heart Transplant Specialist Council, we promptly identified the patient and successfully performed the operation.”

The surgery lasted five hours, from the time the incision was made to transplant the heart into the patient's body at midnight on August 24th until 3 a.m. on August 25th. Everyone was highly focused, every minute, even every second was carefully calculated. After the operation, the patient's hemodynamic condition was relatively stable, but still requires close monitoring, especially during the first three days post‑operation. It is hoped that after these three days go smoothly, the patient's condition will improve.

Associate Professor, Doctor, BS. Nguyen Hoang Bac, Director of University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed: “The journey, even though outside the chest for 7 hours, the heart remains safe, is a pride of the spirit of wholehearted connection for the patients' lives. I send deep gratitude to the families and the people who donated a beloved part of their bodies. Sincere thanks to the Ministry of Health leadership, the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, Viet Duc Hospital, Green Pon General Hospital, Vietnam Airlines, Noi Bai International Airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Hanoi City Police, Ho Chi Minh City Police for their assistance, creating all conditions for this heart transplant to succeed. I sincerely thank all colleagues who contributed to this success and congratulate the patient who received a new chance at life.”

Hundreds of hearts have been beating rapidly together so that one heart can continue to beat for a new journey of life; this is also the mission that we all wish to fulfill to the best of our ability. To date, the Hospital has successfully performed 48 kidney transplants and 53 liver transplants. Now, with this heart transplant, we not only mark a new step forward but also complete the series of successes in the field of organ transplantation at the University Medical and Pharmacy Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City.