HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam – In an extraordinary display of medical perseverance and dedication, a doctor saved the life of a man who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing tennis by performing non-stop chest compressions for nearly an hour, from the court to the emergency room.
The dramatic incident unfolded on a tennis court in Ho Chi Minh City when a man in the middle of a game suddenly collapsed, showing no signs of life. His heart had stopped beating.
In a remarkable stroke of fortune, a doctor was present at the scene and immediately sprang into action. Recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest, the physician began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), applying relentless chest compressions to manually pump blood to the patient's brain and vital organs.
What followed was a grueling battle against time. The doctor continued the physically demanding compressions without pause on the court while waiting for transport, and crucially, maintained the life-saving rhythm throughout the entire journey to the hospital. Medical professionals note that performing effective CPR for such an extended duration is incredibly taxing and requires immense physical and mental stamina.
For nearly 60 minutes, the doctor's persistent efforts were the only thing keeping the patient from certain death. Upon arrival at the hospital emergency room, medical staff were met with the incredible sight of the doctor still administering CPR.
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| Doctor Pham Thai Ngoc Long treats a patient at the Emergency Department, Military Hospital 175. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Then, in a moment described by witnesses as a medical miracle, the patient's heart began to beat again. After an hour of being clinically dead, the man was brought back to life, a direct result of the doctor's unwavering refusal to give up.
The successful resuscitation has been hailed as a testament to both the importance of immediate CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and the profound dedication of the physician. Survival rates for such events are typically very low, and a positive outcome after such a prolonged period of resuscitation is exceedingly rare.
This remarkable event serves as a powerful story of hope and a shining example of the dedication embedded in the medical profession, where one individual's tireless effort turned a tragedy into a miracle.
