A story has come to light about a passenger who slipped into a coma due to cardiac arrest on a plane and narrowly survived. Doctors who happened to be on board to attend an overseas conference joined in emergency care.
According to a Facebook post by Professor Kim Jeong-hwan of Gangnam Eulji Hospital on Apr. 2, a passenger suddenly collapsed on a flight from Incheon to Manila, the Philippines, on the morning of Mar. 24. On that flight were about seven to eight family medicine doctors headed to the Asia-Pacific academic conference of the World Organization of Family Doctors being held in the Philippines.
Not long after takeoff, a "doctor call" announcement sounded in the cabin. A doctor call is an announcement seeking a physician among the passengers.
Professor Kim said, "A doctor call went out, and when I went to the patient, a middle-aged foreign woman with a pale complexion was collapsed in front of the lavatory door," adding, "Flight attendants were surrounding her, not knowing what to do."
Professor Kim Cheol-min of the Family Medicine Department at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, who was on the same flight, immediately attempted intubation to secure the patient's airway, but it was not feasible. The patient's tongue rolled back, making intubation difficult with a plastic laryngoscope. Fortunately, a laryngeal mask was available on board, allowing emergency measures without intubation.
Professor Kim said, "Sensing her breathing was weakening, we began ventilation with an Ambu bag (manual resuscitator), but I feared it could lead to cardiac arrest as her blood pressure dropped," adding, "But there was nothing more we could do for the patient on the plane."
He added, "A cerebral infarction was suspected, but an exact diagnosis was difficult."
Fortunately, the patient's condition improved over time. As she was able to breathe spontaneously instead of relying on the Ambu bag, normal respiration and blood pressure were restored. Professor Kim said, "The patient also began to regain consciousness and could respond to questions."
During the remaining three hours and 30 minutes of flight time, the doctors cared for the patient together and were able to arrive safely in the Philippines. After landing at Manila airport, they handed the patient over to local medical staff.
Professor Kim said, "It is rare to encounter a patient this critical on a plane," adding, "I hope the patient recovers her health and lives well."