A Vietnamese man with a life-threatening heart condition has returned home after successful treatment in southern China, facilitated by a cross-border medical rescue service.

A resident surnamed Pham of northern Vietnam experienced sudden chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness on Dec 25.Doctors at a local hospital diagnosed him with acute type A aortic dissection, a rapidly progressing cardiovascular condition that can be fatal without immediate intervention.

Pham's case marks the first successful use of the "1369 Life Express" channel for a Vietnamese patient with acute aortic dissection.

Upon receiving a request for help from the Mong Cai City Health Center in Vietnam, Dongxing People's Hospital in China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region activated the "1369 Life Express" rescue channel, which provides speedy medical transport for critically ill patients between the two countries.

Pham was transported to Dongxing People's Hospital within 10 minutes. After further assessment, he was transferred to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in Nanning for emergency surgery.

The Nanning hospital activated its emergency protocol, and a medical team performed a seven-hour operation. Pham regained consciousness without complications and was moved from intensive care to a regular ward on Jan 2.

"Remote treatment for acute aortic dissection is a race against time. It requires close collaboration and decisive action from multidisciplinary teams," said Zheng Baoshi, president of the hospital.

Named after the "1369" milestone on the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge, the rescue channel was launched in 2016 to expedite medical aid for critically ill Vietnamese patients.

Since then, it has facilitated treatment for more than 650 patients, serving as a model for international medical cooperation.

"This service not only saves lives, but also strengthens the bond between the people of China and Vietnam," Zheng said.

zhangli@chinadaily.com.cn