Dr Trần Thanh Linh, head of the Intensive Care Unit at HCM City's Chợ Rẫy Hospital, treats an injured victim. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The most critically injured survivor of the speedboat capsize off Phú Quốc Island in the southern province of An Giang was transferred to Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City on Monday afternoon after doctors had temporarily stabilised his condition.

Dr Trần Thanh Linh, head of the Intensive Care Unit at Chợ Rẫy Hospital, said a team of doctors travelled to Phú Quốc on Sunday with advanced medical equipment to join specialists at Sun Hospital Phú Quốc in assessing the patient's condition and treating him.

The male victim suffered from severe respiratory failure caused by near-drowning, shock, multiple traumatic injuries and a brain haemorrhage. He also had underlying diabetes and an acute myocardial infarction resulting from coronary artery blockage.

After carefully weighing the benefits and risks, doctors decided to perform emergency coronary revascularisation at the Phú Quốc hospital. According to Dr Linh, the procedure was particularly challenging because of the patient's complex coronary artery lesions and multiple coexisting medical conditions.

After more than two hours, the medical team successfully restored blood flow through the blocked coronary artery and implanted a temporary pacemaker to stabilise the patient's cardiovascular condition.

Once the patient's condition had been brought under temporary control, doctors recommended transferring him by air to Chợ Rẫy Hospital for further intensive care. To ensure safety during the flight, the medical team established a comprehensive critical care system, including a mechanical ventilator, continuous monitoring equipment, and contingency plans for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Upon arrival at Chợ Rẫy Hospital, the patient remained in critical condition. However, doctors reported encouraging signs, with both haemodynamic parameters and blood oxygen levels showing improvement.

Hospital leaders are expected to convene a multidisciplinary consultation and mobilise all available resources to provide advanced treatment to maximise the patient's chances of recovery.

The speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 tourists, three crew members and a tour guide, capsized about 200 metres off the coast of Phú Quốc on July 11 while travelling from Mây Rút Ngoài Island to An Thới Port.

To date, the HCM City Forensic Medicine Centre has received the bodies of 15 victims killed in the accident. — VNA/VNS