Dr. Ale Xiong and his wife, both medical professionals from Laos, recently brought their newborn son to Hanoi for emergency heart surgery after local hospitals declined to operate due to the child’s low birth weight.

Dr. Ale Xiong, a radiologist at the provincial hospital in Luang Prabang - about 1,000km from Hanoi - shared that only six days after birth, their baby began showing signs of severe cyanosis. Local doctors diagnosed him with congenital heart defects but refused surgery, citing that the child did not meet the minimum weight requirement of 6 kilograms.

Through friends' recommendations, the couple reached out to Hanoi Heart Hospital. The baby was admitted on May 28 in a critical state, showing persistent coughing, labored breathing, full-body cyanosis, and an oxygen saturation (SpO2) level of only 60%.

Doctors diagnosed three serious congenital heart conditions: transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and patent ductus arteriosus. These conditions posed an immediate threat to the child’s life and required urgent surgical intervention.

Lifesaving surgery led by Hanoi’s top cardiac experts

Associate Professor Nguyen Sinh Hien, Director of Hanoi Heart Hospital, personally led the emergency consultation and ordered immediate surgery. A specialized surgical team was assembled to perform the complex procedure.

Dr. Nguyen Dang Hung, Head of Pediatric Surgery, explained that while the hospital is well-practiced in transposition and septal defect repair, the critical factor lies in the timing - early intervention in newborns significantly reduces risk and improves outcomes.

The operation was successful. Within three days, the infant was breathing with assisted ventilation, and his SpO2 reached 98% - on par with a healthy individual. He is expected to be transferred to the pediatric department in the coming days for further observation and may be discharged in about a week if recovery remains stable.

Vietnam's global reputation in cardiac surgery

Vietnam is increasingly recognized as a medical destination for international patients, particularly in cardiac care. Advances in minimally invasive surgery, endoscopy, robotic assistance, percutaneous interventions, and 3D printing for surgical planning are now widely applied in leading hospitals.

State-of-the-art equipment, such as cardiopulmonary bypass machines and advanced imaging systems, have enhanced surgical precision, reduced patient discomfort, and shortened recovery time - placing Vietnam's cardiac surgery capabilities on par with those of developed nations.

Phuong Thuy