Singaporean couple thanks Vietnamese doctors after life-saving fetal heart procedure

"This experience will forever remain in our hearts. Words cannot fully express our gratitude toward you and the incredible Vietnam medical team," the couple wrote in a letter following the successful intervention.

"Thank you so much on everything that you had done for us."

The wife, pregnant with a 25-week-old fetus, underwent the life-saving cardiac intervention performed by doctors from Tu Du Hospital and Children's Hospital 1.

The mother had initially been diagnosed at KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore, where doctors identified a severe congenital heart defect in the fetus, posing a high risk of stillbirth.

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

This marked the ninth successful fetal cardiac intervention by the two Vietnamese hospitals, and the first time the procedure had been performed on a foreign patient. Doctors said it was also the most technically complex case to date.

In their letter, the couple expressed deep appreciation for the dedication, tireless effort, and compassionate support of the Vietnamese medical team throughout their stay in Vietnam. Despite the fetus's critical condition, doctors remained committed to saving the baby.

The fetus, weighing just 600 grams at 25 weeks, underwent two separate procedures. The first, conducted on May 22, lasted more than two hours but was unsuccessful. Doctors were unable to access the left heart chamber because the fetus was in a fixed prone position.

Following close oversight from Ho Chi Minh City Health Department Director Tang Chi Thuong and leadership at both hospitals, a multidisciplinary team held an emergency consultation. As the fetus's condition worsened, the experts agreed to attempt a second intervention.

On May 28, the surgical team succeeded. 

Dr. Do Nguyen Tin, head of the interventional cardiology unit at Children's Hospital 1, recalled the emotional moment when the procedure succeeded. "There were tears from everyone—our team and the family," he said. "It was a moment of relief and hope."

Dr. Tin also noted that treating a foreign patient added to the pressure of an already demanding procedure. Expectations were high, especially after the initial attempt had failed, but the team remained focused and determined.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health praised the achievement as a milestone in the city's medical advancement. Officials credited the outcome to strategic investment and strong collaboration among specialists in obstetrics, pediatric cardiology, neonatal anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging. 

The procedure brought together the best of both hospitals' expertise and marked another step forward in Vietnam's capabilities in fetal medicine.

The department also commended the entire team—including doctors, technicians, and nurses—for their dedication to mastering advanced fetal intervention techniques and their efforts to save lives even before birth.