"Explain."
Yan Feifan placed a hand on the other side of the gurney’s railing, helping to push as he quickly explained, "We perform a percutaneous vascular puncture and inject an embolic agent at both ends of the aneurysm."
The embolic agent consists of granular particles that expand rapidly upon absorbing water.
Injecting an embolic agent is a common emergency procedure used in clinical settings to control major vascular hemorrhaging.
Yan Feifan continued, "Then, we create a simple external cardiac bypass around the embolized section of the artery to maintain blood supply to the myocardium."
"This stopgap procedure only requires a small thoracotomy, keeping blood loss to a manageable level."
Liang Zhao Kui said, "It’s a good theory."
"But the question is..."
He asked doubtfully, "Can you really perform a perfectly precise, first-try puncture into a vessel on a constantly beating heart?"
"That’s a coronary artery we’re talking about. If you miss the puncture, or if you perforate the atrial wall... I don’t need to spell out the consequences."
Yan Feifan considered this for a moment. "Mr. Liang, I can’t guarantee success, but I’m willing to try."
Liang Zhao Kui rapidly weighed his options.
’If they went straight for an open-chest resection of the coronary aneurysm, the patient would almost certainly die from blood loss.’
’Yan Feifan’s method was theoretically sound, but it carried enormous risks as well.’
The section of myocardium stretched thin by the blood sac was now incredibly fragile. The slightest misstep during the procedure could easily trigger a cardiac rupture.
It demanded an operator with an intimate knowledge of the heart, flawless and decisive technique, and nerves of steel.
’Liang Zhao Kui knew he wouldn’t dare take such a risk himself.’
’You get more timid with age.’
Liang Zhao Kui sighed inwardly. He turned his gaze back to Yan Feifan. "Aren’t you afraid of the failure... and the fallout?"
Yan Feifan seemed taken aback for a second. "I haven’t thought that far ahead."
"Mr. Liang, given the circumstances, this method gives the patient a chance to survive. At the very least, it’s a better chance."
A pang of shame hit Liang Zhao Kui as he heard those words.
By now, they had pushed the gurney to the isolation doors of the surgical wing.
Liang Zhao Kui had finally made his decision.
"Mr. Yan, I’m asking you to lead this external bypass procedure."
"I’ll take full responsibility for any and all consequences."