Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chapter 1090: Breaking the rules to save the heart

Chen Yang looked at the medical record carefully. His eyes swept across the lines of cold numbers and medical terms, and his brows became more and more furrowed.

The data on the monitor was shocking: blood pressure was barely maintained at around 85/50 mmHg with the help of large doses of norepinephrine and dopamine, the heart rate was sometimes fast and sometimes slow, fluctuating between 120-140 beats/minute, and the blood oxygen saturation was maintained at around 90% with the help of high-flow oxygen inhalation.

The electrocardiogram showed that the ST segments in the extensive anterior wall leads were still arched and elevated, indicating continued myocardial ischemia and necrosis.

The cardiac ultrasound confirmed Wen Xiuping's words. The heart beat was extremely weak and the EF value was pitifully low.

The medication records show that almost all available Western medicines have been used, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, coronary artery stimulants, cardiotonic drugs, pressors, and diuretics. The dosage has reached the limit, but the effect is minimal. On the contrary, due to damage to kidney function, the response to diuretics has become increasingly poor, and water and sodium retention has increased the burden on the heart.

What shocked Chen Yang even more was the records of Mr. Song's tongue and pulse. The tongue was dark purple, the tongue coating was gray, black, dry and cracked, the pulse was weak and almost stopped, and the beats were irregular.

This is a dangerous sign of internal Yin and cold, external Yang suppressed, true Yang declining, and Yin and Yang separating!

It is more complicated and dangerous than simple sudden loss of heart yang.

The gray-black, dry and cracked tongue coating indicates that it is not simply excessive cold, but also the illusion of dryness and heat caused by depletion of yin fluid and floating of false yang. If one is not careful in treatment, supplementing yang may accelerate the depletion of yin fluid, while nourishing yin may aggravate yin cold. There are many contradictions and it is difficult to treat.

Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun had already given Song Luojun medicine yesterday, but it was ineffective. His condition worsened again today, which further illustrates the difficulty of Song Luojun's condition.

"How is it, Chen Yang?" Wen Xiuping asked in a deep voice when he saw Chen Yang closing the medical record, with a hint of expectation in his tone that he himself did not realize.

Chu Yiyun also looked at Chen Yang with burning eyes.

Xun Jiahong, Xun Guodong and others also looked at Chen Yang. At this moment, even though two great masters, Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun, were present, everyone had high hopes for Chen Yang.

Chen Yang took a deep breath, his face extremely solemn. "The situation is indeed extremely critical. The heart yang is suddenly lost, the primordial yang is about to be exhausted, the yin and cold are excessive inside, rejecting the yang energy, and there is also damage to the yin, and the false heat of the false yang is floating. The yin and yang are about to separate."

When Xun Jiahong and his family heard this description, which was even more severe than the judgment of the two elders Wen and Chu, their hearts were in their throats.

"Is it possible...even you have no way?" Xun Jiahong's voice was tearful and full of despair.

"Let me give Mr. Song another checkup." Chen Yang said after a moment of hesitation.

"Okay, Xiao Chen, come with me."

Chu Yiyun and Wen Xiuping took Chen Yang into the ICU. Song Luojun was unconscious on the hospital bed, and his face seemed to be covered with a layer of black gauze.

Chen Yang sat down beside him and reached out to take Song Luojun's pulse.

While taking the patient's pulse, Chen Yang pondered for a long time before he stood up.

"Xiao Chen."

When Chen Yang, Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun came out, everyone rushed over.

"How is it?" Xun Jiahong asked anxiously.

Chen Yang didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes, his mind racing through the discussion of Shaoyin and Jueyin diseases in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases, as well as the experiences of later physicians in treating "degeneration" and "syncope." Various classical prescriptions, contemporary prescriptions, and acupuncture protocols collided and combined in his mind.

Afterwards, Chen Yang's consciousness entered the system package column and used the [Flash of Inspiration Card].

As Chen Yang used the "Flash of Inspiration Card", suddenly, he caught a glimpse of inspiration!

An extremely bold and even somewhat "taboo" plan gradually became clear in Chen Yang's mind.

Chen Yang suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes: "Conventional methods are indeed powerless to save the situation. But perhaps... we can try the 'unconventional way to save the heart' method!"

"Making an exception to save the heart?" Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun spoke almost at the same time, with surprise and doubt on their faces.

Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun were naturally familiar with this term.

To break the rules means to break the convention.

"Yes."

Chen Yang nodded: "This is an extraordinary method for this kind of extremely critical condition where the Yin and Yang are separated. The method is not to 'replenish', but to 'break the Yin and restore the Yang', 'communicate the Yin and Yang', and 'retain the vital energy'!"

"We need to use large doses of pungent, hot, and strong herbs to break up the Yin and cold, and draw in the floating Yang. At the same time, we should use herbs that can protect the Yin fluids and calm the latent energy to prevent the pungent heat from damaging the Yin or the deficient Yang from completely escaping. If necessary, we need to use both acupuncture and medicine to forcibly pry open a glimmer of hope!"

Wen Xiuping frowned, "This method... is extremely dangerous! The slightest mistake in dosage or combination of drugs would make the situation worse, and might even accelerate..."

Wen Xiuping didn't say the rest of the words, but the meaning was very clear.

Chu Yiyun also pondered, "Old Song's body is like rotten wood right now. Can he withstand the impact of such a fierce medicine? Moreover, most of these prescriptions are pungent and dispersing. Will they accelerate the dissipation of vitality?"

Chen Yang glanced at Song Luojun in the ICU, then at the anxious Xun Jiahong and his family, and said in a deep voice, "Master Wen, Master Chu, you are both absolutely right. This is indeed a risky move that we had to resort to."

"But conventional means are now ineffective. Old Song's life force is rapidly fading. If he doesn't resort to extraordinary means, he may not survive the night. This method may be risky, but it offers a glimmer of hope. If you don't use it out of fear of danger, you will be doomed!"

Chen Yang paused and continued, "As for the medication, I don't just blindly use spicy and hot herbs."

"Based on the false heat symptoms of 'excessive and floating yang' as seen in Dr. Song's treatment, we administer a large amount of yin-nourishing and calming herbs, creating the momentum of 'suppressing yang, breaking yin and restoring yang.' While seemingly overbearing, we strive for balance, targeting the key to 'the separation of yin and yang.' Acupuncture selects specific key points that restore yang, consolidate deficiency, and connect yin and yang, complementing the medicinal properties and stabilizing the Qi."

Chen Yang's words were clear and logical. He not only pointed out the core contradiction of the pathogenesis, but also proposed specific ideas for resolving the contradiction. Although bold, it was not aimless.

This made the surprise and doubt in Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun's eyes gradually turn into thought and a hint of shock.

They asked themselves, in such a desperate situation, they might not dare to propose, or even think of, such a drastic and carefully considered plan.

"Chen Yang……"

Xun Jiahong grabbed Chen Yang's arm and said, "I believe you! Please save my grandfather! No matter what the outcome, our family is willing to take all the risks!"

Xun Guodong and Song Yaru looked at each other and nodded heavily: "Doctor Chen, please! We sign!"

With the full support and trust of the family members, Wen Xiuping and Chu Yiyun no longer hesitated.

Wen Xiuping took a deep breath and patted Chen Yang on the shoulder. "Okay! In that case, kid, go for it! If you need any herbs that the hospital doesn't have, I'll have someone go to my pharmacy or Mr. Chu's house to get them immediately! We two old guys will back you up. If you need any assistance with acupuncture, just let me know!"

Chu Yiyun also said: "That's right! At this moment, we can only rely on your extraordinary methods. What do you need us to do?"

Chen Yang felt a surge of warmth and a strong sense of responsibility. Without further delay, he said, "Thank you for your trust! Time is running out, so I'll prescribe the medicine first..."