Patient Testimonial
Patient with Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Stenosis, and Arrhythmia
Mr. Sakchai Doknammai shares his experience
"Using modern, less risky techniques, it looked much safer than traditional surgery from the video. Afterward, about a week of recovery in the hospital, and then he'd go home."
Before becoming fatigued, my uncle had trouble sleeping, having worked tirelessly all day without rest, leaving him drained. We took him to the hospital, unsure of the cause of his exhaustion. He had been told by a previous doctor that he had a leaky heart valve for a long time but hadn't sought treatment, only taking medication for a pinched nerve in his neck, epilepsy, and an enlarged prostate. He wasn't concerned about his heart valve because he could still perform daily activities normally. During that period, insufficient rest and overexertion led to severe shortness of breath and incomplete breathing.
We first took him to a hospital, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they couldn't immediately identify the cause of his fatigue, requiring a multi-day wait. His condition worsened, and he refused to eat, causing his health to decline. Fortunately, someone recommended Ramkhamhaeng Hospital, where they had previously received treatment and a relative had undergone heart valve replacement. We contacted Ramkhamhaeng Hospital to send an ambulance, bringing all his medical records. The doctor examined him and found that he had pulmonary edema due to heart failure, initially caused by severe heart valve stenosis.
However, coronary artery disease might also have been a contributing factor. Three days later, when his condition improved, we took him for an angiogram, which confirmed the presence of coronary artery disease. He was advised to undergo balloon angioplasty, which we decided to do that day. The procedure took about half an hour, and afterward, he was able to converse normally. The plan was to recover fully before treating the valve stenosis, but while waiting, he developed pulmonary edema again, requiring continued hospitalization until his valve replacement. If he had gone home, the same problem would have recurred.
Regarding the heart valve surgery, it wasn't a major operation. Instead, an artificial heart valve was inserted via catheter and placed over the existing valve without removing it. This modern technique, seen in videos, is less risky and safer than traditional surgery. He was expected to recover in the hospital for about a week before returning home. However, while waiting to be discharged, he experienced dizziness and almost fainted. Luckily, this occurred while he was in the CCU. It was discovered that his heart rate was very slow, so Dr. Buncha urgently recommended a pacemaker. After the pacemaker was implanted, he regained consciousness, could speak and smile, which was a huge relief for me. He then recovered in the hospital for another week before going home.
The doctor scheduled a follow-up appointment for one month later. Before that appointment, he mentioned experiencing constant lightheadedness. During the visit, Dr. Buncha examined him and had him wear a Holter monitor for two days to track his heart rate. The results showed abnormal heartbeats both while awake and asleep, which the doctor explained could lead to acute heart failure. The doctor prescribed medication, and after taking it, he no longer experienced those symptoms. He continues to take the medication without any issues.
Patient with MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children)
Ms. Nisthida Sukprasert, the patient's mother, recounts her son Jean's sudden severe symptoms. Initially presenting with extreme vomiting, low-grade fever, and prominent gastrointestinal issues, doctors became suspicious when they learned Jean had recovered from COVID-19 just 2-3 weeks prior, despite expecting high fever for post-COVID complications. His rapid deterioration, including jaundice, rapid heartbeat, and reduced consciousness, led to immediate PICU admission. There, initial test results confirmed severe inflammation, particularly affecting the heart. Doctors promptly initiated treatment with medication to improve heart muscle function and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Dr. Tarita Charuchanapongthorn, a pediatric critical care specialist, and Dr. Peeratuch Chokmungmeepisarn, a pediatric neurologist, revealed that after comprehensive treatment, the patient was diagnosed with G6PD deficiency, an underlying condition discovered during his hospital stay.
"My right eye was blurry, I couldn't see well, and I had a sharp, throbbing pain that radiated to my right temple, sometimes making tears stream down my face."
Ms. Kunlapat, daughter of Mr. Wang Techo, shared her mother's story:
"My mother was already taking medication for blood pressure, but about 1-2 weeks before the surgery, she developed severe headaches. The pain was so intense she couldn't sleep. Her children realized they couldn't ignore it, so they took her to a hospital where an MRI revealed a tumor. We searched online for a reputable hospital for brain tumor treatment and found Ramkhamhaeng Hospital. We chose to go there and met Dr. Naphason Thakekindej. After another MRI scan, the doctor confirmed a 2.5 cm tumor behind her right eye, in the space between the brain, which was operable. My mother was apprehensive, fearing she wouldn't recover, essentially afraid of dying. The doctor reassured her, stating he had handled more challenging cases and to not worry. My mother recovered at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital for a week. After a follow-up MRI scan, the doctor reviewed the results and told us to return in two years. We were very impressed with the doctor; he even called us at midnight after the surgery to let us know she was safe and the surgery was successful. He knew we were worried, especially since my mother was afraid she wouldn't wake up, which made us, her children, worried too. Brain surgery is inherently frightening for everyone. But the doctor told us not to worry, and we definitely made the right choice in finding Dr. Naphason. Additionally, we've been taking my mother to Dr. Panadda for her diabetes, blood pressure, and enlarged heart, who manages all her conditions. We bring her for check-ups every 2-3 months."