Beijing Anzhen Hospital Saves a Thai Tourist from Life-Threatening Heart Attack: A Triumph of Precision Cardiac Surgery

A Critical Emergency During Travel

During his visit to Beijing’s Tongzhou District, a 61-year-old tourist from Thailand suddenly experienced severe chest pain and shortness of breath. He was immediately rushed to Beijing Anzhen Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by rupture of the mitral valve papillary muscle and cardiogenic shock — a combination that often proves fatal without rapid intervention.

At admission, the patient was in critical condition, presenting with severe heart failure and respiratory distress. The hospital’s emergency cardiac team immediately activated the Cardiogenic Shock Green Channel, a rapid-response system that brings together specialists from emergency medicine, cardiology, cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and ECMO support within minutes.

Multidisciplinary Life-Saving Operation

After immediate stabilization with non-invasive ventilation and medication, the patient’s coronary angiography revealed a complete occlusion of the right coronary artery — the “culprit vessel” responsible for the infarction — along with severe blockages in other coronary branches.
To prevent further heart failure, Professor Haiyang Li, Director of the Coronary Surgery Department, decided to perform an emergency triple coronary artery bypass graft and mitral valve replacement, using ECMO and IABP for circulatory support.

Performing cardiac surgery under these conditions required extraordinary precision. Due to severe myocardial edema and tissue fragility, any misstep risked cardiac rupture. To minimize trauma, the team used an innovative single-pump dual-line ECMO configuration, ensuring continuous oxygenation while maintaining stable blood flow to the brain and vital organs.
Professor Li’s team also used off-pump coronary bypass — completing delicate graft connections on a beating heart — a technique that demands exceptional surgical skill and timing.

After reconstructing three coronary grafts and replacing the damaged mitral valve, the patient’s heart successfully regained rhythm without defibrillation. The surgery lasted over six hours and was completed without major complications.

Recovery and Remarkable Outcome

Following surgery, the patient was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), where he received continuous monitoring and rehabilitation care. Within days, his cardiac function stabilized, and five days later, he was successfully weaned off ECMO.
Two weeks post-surgery, the patient regained full consciousness and mobility, and was discharged to a rehabilitation center for continued recovery. His case represents an exceptional survival success in cardiac emergencies typically associated with high mortality rates.

Excellence in Cardiac Innovation

This successful rescue illustrates the world-class standard of Beijing Anzhen Hospital’s Cardiogenic Shock Rescue Team — China’s first specialized multidisciplinary cardiac emergency team. The hospital’s integrated system allows seamless collaboration across cardiology, cardiac surgery, intensive care, imaging, and perfusion, enabling precision treatment for even the most complex cardiac crises.

With its leading cardiac surgery volumes, international training collaborations, and state-of-the-art facilities, Anzhen Hospital continues to define excellence in cardiovascular medicine across Asia and globally.