One month of efforts to save a Covid-19 patient with a critical stroke

At around 19:00 on February 28, the designer (woman, 64 years old, in Mo Lao, Ha Dong, Hanoi) suddenly had a headache, nausea, shortness of breath, chest tightness, then her consciousness gradually decreased. comatose. Mrs. L. has a history of obesity and hypertension (infrequent treatment).

The patient was taken by his family to 103 Military Hospital for emergency treatment. Immediately, the doctors carried out intubation, put the patient on a ventilator, computed tomography of the brain, rapid test to detect positive for SARS-CoV-2; diagnosed with Covid-19 with a brainstem hemorrhagic stroke.

Mrs. L. then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, Covid-19 Treatment Center of the hospital. Here, patients receive artificial ventilation, tracheostomy, blood pressure control, anti-brain edema, Covid-19 treatment according to protocol, gastrointestinal and intravenous nutrition. She maintained mechanical ventilation through the endotracheal tube for 7 days, then was tracheostomy. The patient’s progress gradually improved, weaning off mechanical ventilation 12 days after admission.

Up to now, she has tested negative for PCR, her indexes are within normal limits, and has been transferred to the Stroke Department for follow-up and further treatment.

Image of brain stem bleeding on computed tomography of the brain – Photo: BVCC

Doctors said that Ms. L. had Covid-19 with a stroke with brain stem bleeding (brain hemorrhage). Stroke is a common disease with a high mortality rate, leaving many serious sequelae. Although spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage accounts for only 10-20% of all stroke cases, the mortality rate is up to 37.6% – 52% in the first month and most deaths in the first 2 days; cause severe disability.

A brain stem hemorrhagic stroke greatly affects a patient’s respiratory function because the brain stem acts as a control center for the function of the heart and lungs, helping to regulate many important functions including breathing, sneezing, and breathing. swallow.

Therefore, the clinical manifestations of patient L. are more severe than that of other Covid-19 patients, making treatment more difficult. In addition, elderly and obese patients are both risk factors for severe progression. In terms of care, it requires meticulous attention, good respiratory care to be able to wean off the ventilator and recover.

During the 1 month of receiving patients, the doctors of the Intensive Care Unit, the Covid-19 Treatment Center have tried their best to take care of the patient. Thanks to that, Mrs. L. gradually passed the critical stage and recovered.

“When a patient is admitted to the hospital in a critical condition with a better condition or stabilizes, he is transferred to another hospital like patient L. It is not only a joy for the family but also a great encouragement for all doctors and nurses. us”, a doctor of the Covid-19 Treatment Center, 103 Military Hospital shared.

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