Ho Chi Minh City doctors perform life-saving fetal heart procedure for Singaporean mother

Doctors from Tu Du Hospital and Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City successfully performed on Wednesday a complex cardiac intervention on a 22-week-old fetus of a Singaporean expectant mother.

Tang Chi Thuong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the mother had been diagnosed at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore.

Her fetus was found to have a severe congenital heart defect that carried a high risk of stillbirth.

Because the necessary procedure was not available in Singapore, the patient was transferred to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment.

The fetus was diagnosed with aortic valve atresia, a rare and life-threatening condition.

Doctors at KK Women's and Children's Hospital had determined the fetus was at high risk of dying in utero.

Given recent advancements in fetal cardiac intervention in Vietnam, the hospital recommended transfer to Children's Hospital 1 and Tu Du Hospital for specialized care.

Once in Vietnam, the diagnosis was confirmed by pediatric cardiologists at Children's Hospital 1.

A multidisciplinary team from both hospitals held remote consultations with experts in Australia and France.

After a thorough review, all parties agreed the intervention was necessary and urgent.

Although this was the ninth fetal cardiac intervention performed in the city, it was by far the most difficult, due to the fetus' early gestational age and low weight of only 600 grams.

The first attempt, conducted on May 22, was unsuccessful.

However, after extensive preparation and close coordination across specialties, a second attempt on Wednesday succeeded.

Ultrasound images showed blood flow returning through the aortic valve, which is a pivotal sign of success that moved the entire medical team to tears.

The mother and her family were visibly emotional, with many expressing gratitude to the doctors for their compassion and expertise.

The case is especially significant because a top hospital in Singapore referred a patient to Vietnam for a procedure that could not be done domestically.

It is seen as a strong vote of confidence in Vietnam's growing medical capabilities.

"This success is a major milestone on our journey toward becoming a regional leader in specialized medicine," said director Thuong.

According to the Department of Health, the outcome reflects years of strategic investment in high-level medical services, as well as the collaboration between Tu Du Hospital and Children's Hospital 1.

Specialists in obstetrics, pediatric cardiology, anesthesiology, and imaging worked in close coordination to ensure the success of the procedure.

Thanh Ha - Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/05/29-17:47)