Chapter 118: Weakness of the Body (2)

“Ah… Yes!”

“I understand.”

Woo Hayoon didn’t know this, but the nurse was experienced as a hospital room nurse. Without a prescription, it might have been different, but since there was already one issued, she had no issue administering the medication. Soon, the patient started receiving the drugs.

Suhyuk grimly observed the effect of the medicine.

[Blood pressure… It is slightly increasing. Not very good, though.]

‘Still, it’s rising.’

[That’s true. For now, we don’t need to consider Ecmo.]

‘Good thing.’

Ecmo, also known as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, was a miraculous device that could revive someone from death. Since its invention, survival rates for various patients, especially those with acute conditions like myocardial infarction, significantly increased. However, it was primarily used for patients with high chances of dying.

Since its invention, many patients’ survival rates, especially those with acute conditions like myocardial infarction, have significantly increased. However, it also meant that Ecmo was primarily used for patients at high risk of death. Statistically, the survival rate of patients on Ecmo varied depending on the institution but generally remained below 50%. Therefore, not needing to use Ecmo yet was undoubtedly a positive sign.

“Blood pressure is at 90. What should we do?”

“Let’s observe him for now. His breathing… Although it doesn’t seem immediately critical, he will need to be transferred to the intensive care unit.”

Of course, there was no telling how long this stability would last. There was always a possibility of sudden arrhythmia.

[Isn’t that highly likely?]

‘Is it likely?’

“I have seen this type of patient before.”

‘Yes, that’s right.’

Thus, Suhyuk decided to perform only an echocardiogram and then transfer the patient to the intensive care unit.

“Sir, I will take over from here!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. You need to check the ultrasound… You have many things to do.”

“Hmm, yes, okay. Thank you.”

With these words, Hayoon received the resuscitation bag from Suhyuk. She seemed quite proficient, as if she had done this numerous times before. Even her breathing rate was appropriately adjusted per minute.

Hufff.

As Suhyuk nodded with relief, Dahoon rushed back into the room carrying the ultrasound equipment. Although there wasn’t usually an ultrasound machine in this hospital room, someone must have recently used one nearby.

“You came back quickly?”

“Yes. It seems like the cardiology fellow brought it for cooperation.”

“He hasn’t used it yet?”

“Actually, I’m not sure. I just grabbed it since it was there. I informed them about this situation.”

“Hmm, okay then. We should see him soon.”

The fellow outranked both Dahoon and Suhyuk. After all, he was already a specialist. Taking someone else’s equipment without consulting them felt awkward. However, the patient before their eyes took precedence now. They could miss crucial moments if they hesitated too much. Already, Seo Hyoseok had caused significant delays with his incompetence.

“Well, let’s take a look.”

Suhyuk promptly exposed the patient’s upper torso and placed the ultrasound probe on the chest.

“Uh oh.” At the same time, Suhyuk let out a sigh-like sound.

Isn’t it too weak?

“The left ventricular output is approximately only 24% compared to normal levels. It is difficult to pinpoint any specific issue due to the overall poor condition of the heart.”

‘Indeed… Could it be stress-induced cardiomyopathy?’

“Yes. The cause is unclear, but that’s what the heart indicates.”

‘Then acute alcohol poisoning remains a possibility.’

“Hmm… Yes. If his heart was damaged at that time, it could be possible.”

‘Damn.’

He had conducted this examination to narrow down potential diagnoses, but instead, more possibilities emerged. However, he couldn’t afford to frown indefinitely.

No one could read Suhyuk’s thoughts. Regardless, he had to share his opinion since he was on the same team as Dahoon. Although it felt like he was dragging them along, they were still a team.

“The left ventricle movement is significantly reduced. The cause is unclear, but…I suspect stress cardiomyopathy… Indeed, we need to transfer him to the intensive care unit. His low blood pressure is due to heart issues. Have you checked the urine output?”

Thus, Suhyuk meticulously explained his observations. At the end, he confirmed the instructions given earlier, and fortunately, the senior nurse stationed at the hospital room had already taken care of it.

“It’s showing 50 milliliters per hour!”

“Then it’s still okay. Considering how low their blood pressure was… Anyway, let’s go downstairs.”

The urine output remained at a normal level. Given that kidneys often fail first during hypotension or shock conditions, this was quite positive news.

‘Good.’

As he noted the patient’s well-managed diabetes, Lee Suhyuk glanced towards the exit of the hospital room. He intended to leave immediately but found someone standing there.

It was Dr. Kim, currently working diligently as a fellow under Lee Hyunjong. Apologies were due, but Suhyuk couldn’t recall his full name easily. This wasn’t because Dr. Kim was unremarkable; rather, Suhyuk had trouble remembering names unless they stood out significantly.

Lee Suhyuk…

On the other hand, Dr. Kim knew Lee Suhyuk very well. As his fellow, he couldn’t help but be aware of him since Lee Hyunjong constantly praised that damned Suhyuk.

The director’s son…

If Suhyuk was just any ordinary son, Dr. Kim could have easily vented his frustration on him. However, it wasn’t that simple.

How can a resident perform echocardiography so perfectly?

Honestly, Suhyuk seemed to surpass even Dr. Kim, who was only in his first year as a fellow. Given Lee Hyunjong’s reputation for being demanding yet trusting Suhyuk with his patients’ echocardiograms, this observation made sense.

“Oh, hello, Doctor.”

“Uh, yeah…”

Moreover, Suhyuk didn’t flaunt his skills or act superior.

Dr. Kim smiled bitterly as he wondered how his career would have been different if he had possessed such skills during his second year of residency.

“I apologize for using the echocardiogram without prior notice due to the urgency.”

Suhyuk didn’t even leverage his status as the director’s son.

‘What a bastard.’

It would have been preferable if Suhyuk had at least shown some unpleasant personality traits. In this situation, Dr. Kim knew that any negative gossip about Suhyuk might backfire on him. Struggling to maintain composure, he chuckled weakly.

“Oh, it’s fine. No problem. This patient seems more urgent anyway.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Yes… then take good care of the patient…”

“Yes, Dr. Belzer.”

Then he received an echocardiogram from Suhyuk and quietly disappeared.

After observing his retreating figure for a moment, Baruda casually remarked:

“Suhyuk won’t go to cardiology anyway… I feel like I’ve been burning with competitive spirit all by myself and now it’s fizzling out.”

Baruda’s words were irritating, but they weren’t wrong. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy usually improves once it passes its acute phase; however, getting through this acute phase was quite difficult as one never knew when or where it would strike.

Drrr…

Thus, Suhyuk, Dahoon, and Hayoon quickly headed towards the intensive care unit (ICU). In truth, Dahoon and Hayoon didn’t fully understand why they needed to hurry, but since Suhyuk, whom they revered like a god, moved swiftly, they silently followed him.

“I’ve already set up the ventilator. I also prescribed vasopressors and cardiac stimulants as per your request, right?” Suhyuk spoke while observing Dahoon, who continued to look up at him with admiration.

As Suhyuk mentioned, everything in the ICU had been perfectly prepared according to his instructions.

Dahoon nodded confidently despite it being his first time monitoring patients in the intensive care unit.

“Yes, sir.”

“You probably won’t receive any calls tonight, but if you do, don’t hesitate to page me immediately. You know I sleep at the hospital, right?”

“Yes, Dr. Belzer.”

Suhyuk spent most nights at the hospital, whether he was on call or not. There was no point in renting a studio apartment when all it did was drain his bank account with rent payments. Instead, staying in the on-call room at the hospital provided him with hot water and utilities without additional costs.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir.”

With these reassuring words, Suhyuk left the intensive care unit. As he headed towards the on-call room, which practically felt like his own living space, someone hastily approached him from behind. Turning around, he saw Hayuni.

When Suhyuk first entered the hospital, he looked almost like a beggar. However, now that he had become accustomed to his role as an intern, he appeared more presentable. It seemed he even washed his hair this morning, which was evident from the scent of shampoo lingering on him.

“Upperclassman.”

“Yes.” Caught off guard by Hayoon’s transformation, Suhyuk responded with short answers.

As expected, Baru immediately criticized him:

[Are you trying to appear rude by keeping your responses brief?]

‘No, not at all.’

[Then answer properly. From what I can see… Woo Hayoon is probably the only person who would date Suhyuk.]

‘Don’t you think that’s insulting?’

[It’s simply the truth. My data analysis continues to improve in accuracy. To give you exact numbers…]

‘Shut up. No, shut it.’

After barely suppressing Baruda’s rebellion, Suhyuk managed to give Woo Hayoon his warmest smile.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Woo Hayoon didn’t seem bothered by Suhyuk’s curt response.

“I couldn’t properly greet you earlier because we were discussing patients.”

“Ah… Right. How have you been doing? You’re the Internal Medicine intern for this month?”

“Yes. Thanks to everyone here. They’ve been very kind. The emergency room staff as well.”

“R-really? Even Shaggy?”

“Yes. He was quite helpful. I was worried since he is known as ‘The Demon’.”

“Huh…” Suhyuk recalled Shaggy, who wasn’t just nicknamed “The Demon” but embodied it fully.

That guy…he said he would be nice to pretty interns, and yet…

[Suhyuk, Hayoon is not just any pretty intern; she graduated at the top of her class from Royal University Hospital. She differs greatly from you in many ways.]

‘Since when did he become so factual? Is he dissatisfied with his life?’

[I am merely stating facts.]

Hayoon glanced briefly at Suhyuk’s dazed face before hastily searching through her pocket.

“Oh, yes. Yes. I’ll be right there.”

It seemed something urgent had come up. This was quite common for Internal Medicine interns, so it wasn’t surprising.

“You’re busy as always. Keep up the good work. Let’s have lunch together sometime this month.”

“Yes, thank you. Upperclassman!”

Suhyuk gave a cool farewell, and Hayoon briskly rushed away, maintaining her composed demeanor.

Suhyuk watched her leave before turning to Baruda.

‘By the way.’

[If you are asking about the probability of success with Woo Hayoon, it is too early to answer.]

‘That’s not what I meant?’

[Then what would you like to know?]

‘Do you really think it is too early?’

[Yes.]

‘Hmm.’

Suhyuk maintained silence for a moment before continuing.

‘It’s about that patient.’

[Ah, the patient. Yes.]

‘What could be the reason? The cause of stress-induced cardiomyopathy, specifically. Earlier, on the X-ray… Even after reviewing the ones taken again in the intensive care unit, it doesn’t seem like pneumonia.’

[That…that is still unknown to me as well. We need more time to carefully observe.]

‘We have time, right?’

[Based on the progress so far, yes.]