CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: THE OLD PROFESSOR’S KINDNESS

Two days later.

Ten in the morning.

Boya Medical College.

At this moment, Zhao Heng was sitting in the classroom, and the one lecturing on the podium was the old professor, Huang Guangyu.

Sitting next to Zhao Heng was the gentle junior schoolmate, Shu Xin, who occasionally glanced at Zhao Heng, her mind clearly not on the lecture.

This class, the old professor was lecturing on clinical anesthesia again.

Although Zhao Heng had already mastered some of the knowledge, hearing the old professor explain it once more gave Zhao Heng a refreshing feeling.

Knowledge is knowledge, understanding is understanding, medicine is a highly applied discipline, not just about reading books.

Professor Huang Guangyu had also been involved in clinical work for many years, and only transitioned to teaching because of his age and a lack of energy and physical strength.

Before long, the class ended, and Zhao Heng stood up and walked to the podium.

"Xiao Zhao, you’re attending the class again."

The old professor smiled warmly at Zhao Heng, happy to see him, as fame and wealth had become insignificant to him at his age.

For the old professor, the happiest thing was having successors and ensuring the continuation of his career.

"Yes, I had a day off, so I came over."

Zhao Heng nodded. The old professor was very kind and amiable, very much like his late grandfather.

Whenever he faced the old professor, Zhao Heng inadvertently thought of his grandfather.

"So, is there a particular issue this time?"

The old professor asked with a smile.

"It’s like this, a few days ago, I encountered an unexpected event during anesthesia..."

Zhao Heng spoke eloquently, detailing the sudden cardiac arrest of a patient during surgery to the old professor.

He mentioned this because he wanted to see if there were any new insights from the old professor’s perspective, essentially accumulating experience from different angles to identify such hidden dangers preoperatively in the future and prevent such serious incidents from happening.

This also counted as summarizing experiences and taking precautions.

"Right atrial air embolism? That indeed is extremely rare."

Upon hearing Zhao Heng’s story, the old professor nodded thoughtfully.

"Xiao Zhao, the fact that in such a situation, you thought of doing a TEE and managed an emergency superior vena cava catheterization is very commendable."

The old professor understood the field and had taught many students. Among those who faced such a critical situation, very few could respond so quickly and accurately as Zhao Heng did.

"Professor, this incident happened too suddenly. From when the patient entered the operating room to anesthesia and surgery, there was no problem with the patient’s heart rate or blood pressure. What could cause such a sudden incident?"

Zhao Heng asked with some confusion.

What Zhao Heng had was merely the experience from a single course taught by the old professor, so he really couldn’t deduce the causes that could lead to a right atrial air embolism in such a short time.

"Generally, common causes of air embolism include chest trauma and iatrogenic damage to large central veins, especially chest traumas, which may allow air from the bronchi to enter the pulmonary veins, leading to an embolism. In your described situation, the only possibility is that the patient had a very subtle chest injury before the surgery, and during the anesthetized restful state, air entered the pulmonary veins, causing an embolism."

"Such cases are extremely rare, and encountering one is just coincidental."

The old professor pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly.

"Chest injury? If it is a chest injury, shouldn’t the patient have shown symptoms before the surgery?"

Zhao Heng was still somewhat puzzled.

"The human body is an extremely precise system, where the butterfly effect can occur; any minor and unnoticed injury might accumulate and lead to serious consequences. You’ll understand this once you have more clinical experience."

The old professor said kindly.

He had a deep fondness for such diligent and intelligent students.

"Thank you, professor."

Zhao Heng nodded, somewhat understanding that the professor meant the human body is very precise, and minor injuries that seem harmless might become significant under anesthesia and surgical conditions, leading to serious consequences.

Indeed, the professor’s high-level perspective was something ordinary doctors could not articulate.

"Having such a mindset and habit of summarizing experiences is great for us doctors. We are not gods and can make mistakes, so we must always remain vigilant and cautious."

The old professor was very pleased with Zhao Heng’s attitude, as such an attitude is necessary to become an excellent doctor.

"By the way, Xiao Zhao, I remember you mentioned you were at Eastern Hospital last time, correct?"

After a pause, the old professor seemed to recall something and asked Zhao Heng.

"Yes."

Zhao Heng nodded.

"Well, Eastern Hospital is about to establish an Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine Center, which is a national key project. Xiao Zhao, what is your current position?"

The old professor nodded and asked again.

"I’ve been in the operating room handling instruments, currently following Teacher Gao for anesthesia."

Zhao Heng replied frankly, as it was nothing to be embarrassed about.

"What?! With your skills, how could you have only been handling instruments before? Eastern Hospital has certainly changed."

The old professor was very dissatisfied after hearing Zhao Heng’s words.

Zhao Heng said nothing because in such situations, speaking wasn’t very appropriate.

"Xiao Zhao, focus on preparing for your exams during this time. Once you pass, I’ll recommend you."

The old professor, seeing Zhao Heng’s silence, naturally understood the situation and spoke kindly.

In his view, a talented young man like Zhao Heng handling instruments was a waste of talent.

Of course, this was also because the old professor was not very pleased with some of the current hospital practices and regulations.

At the very least, they failed to recognize and promote such talented individuals.

"Professor, wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you?"

Zhao Heng felt grateful but was hesitant to trouble the elderly professor on his behalf.

"It’s not a bother at all, just a small matter."

The old professor responded without concern.

Indeed, the old professor was a member of the Ministry’s committee preparing for the Anesthesia and Perioperative Care Center and had substantial influence. After all, the old professor was considered a pioneer of this emerging discipline.

He could even recommend or decide on directors for anesthesia and perioperative medicine centers at major hospitals, let alone recommend a young doctor.

After another exchange with the old professor, Zhao Heng returned to his seat as the old professor, who had finished class, left the classroom.