Hong Kong doctors issue urgent appeal for lung donation to save woman’s life
- Lulu Ng is diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, which causes breathing difficulties, and heart failure can occur when condition worsens
- Doctors say Ng’s life hanging in the balance and she cannot rely on heart medications long-term
Doctors in Hong Kong have issued an emergency plea for a lung donation to save the life of a 32-year-old woman who is relying on cardiac drugs in her fight for survival.
Lulu Ng Shuk-yin, a former patient carer, has been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a condition caused by the narrowing of the artery connecting the lungs and the right side of the heart.
This results in breathing difficulties as the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. Heart failure may occur as the heart muscle becomes strained from excessive use, according to doctors at Grantham Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang, where Ng is being treated.
Ng is top of the waiting list for lung transplants for patients with her blood type and similar body size.
Dr Michael Wong Ka-lam, associate consultant in the department of cardiac medicine of Grantham Hospital, said Ng’s life was “hanging in the balance”.
Since the diagnosis in 2019, Ng’s condition has relapsed several times, affecting her appetite and body weight, and she was hospitalised on June 27. She is now in stable condition after being put on cardiac agents.
Yuki Ng, the patient’s sister, recalled how Ng could barely speak when she was sent to hospital last month. Her condition worsened on Sunday and she had to undergo emergency treatment.
