A woman in Hong Kong is in critical need of a lung transplant after developing a severe form of high blood pressure during her pregnancy. This condition led to an emergency cesarean section when she was just 29 weeks pregnant.
On Monday, the Hospital Authority made a public appeal for organ donors, confirming that the patient, who is being treated at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, is in a life-threatening condition. The authority also announced that they would reach out to mainland China to find a suitable donor organ.
“The Hospital Authority urges the public to support organ donations and consider donating the lungs of deceased relatives to help save lives,” the statement read. “A lung transplant is now the patient’s only option for recovery.”
The woman, whose age has not been disclosed, began experiencing shortness of breath and swollen feet on September 12, when she was 29 weeks pregnant. After seeking medical help at the hospital, she was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This condition causes the small blood vessels in the lungs to narrow, leading to increased pressure and blocked blood flow.
The patient had a history of gestational diabetes but no other known health issues. Her condition worsened the following day, necessitating life support from an artificial heart-lung machine. She underwent an emergency cesarean section; however, details regarding the baby’s condition have not been released.
At 29 weeks, a fetus is typically the size of a butternut squash, with essential organs still developing. Although the medical team attempted to wean the woman off the artificial heart-lung machine, her health declined, and she required mechanical support once again.
On September 30, she was placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant and will be treated by a team of experts from Queen Mary Hospital and Grantham Hospital.
The Hospital Authority emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the patient must receive a lung transplant as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening complications such as stroke, infection, or organ failure.
An ideal donor would be a brain-dead patient weighing between 45 kg to 60 kg (99 lbs to 132 lbs) with blood type B+ or O+. If a suitable donor is found on the mainland, arrangements for the transplant in Hong Kong will be made through a cross-border mechanism.
Dr. Leung Wing-cheong, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, highlighted the rarity and complexity of pulmonary arterial hypertension during pregnancy. “This condition has a high maternal mortality rate and can also affect the baby, particularly given the preterm status at 29 weeks,” he explained. He noted that multidisciplinary support in the intensive care unit is crucial for patients with this condition.
According to the American Lung Association, the exact cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension is often unknown, and it primarily affects women aged 30 to 60.
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