Five-month-old Lu Tra My, who is believed to have suffered the worst congenital heart defect ever treated in Vietnam, died suddenly on Monday after she had trouble breathing.

>> Two babies battling serious diseases

Her death came nearly a month after the National Hospital of Pediatrics (NHP) based in Hanoi announced that they had successfully treated her case.

Doctors at NHP said the surgery for My’s disease was probably the most complex case among congenital heart problems and that it would have been a landmark in the country’s medical history if it was treated successfully.

“She died after heroic efforts to save her at about 2:30am on October 15,” Heartbeat Vietnam CEO Robin Austin, who has jointly raised funds for My’s case, told Tuoitrenews.

“I cannot begin to find words to express my admiration and gratitude for the caring and courageous doctors at National Hospital of Pediatrics who bravely took this case,” continued Austin, “It is very hard to find treatment for these really severe cases and I am happy that we at least gave Tra My a chance at life.”

According to Robin, donors for her case came from Australia, Canada, the US and Vietnam.

On July 19, My was brought to NHP from a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on an emergency airlift which was organized by Dr. Rafi Kot at Family Medical Clinic and covered by Family Medical and Vietnam Airlines.

My was operated on a day later and the surgery showed some initial success as she did very well, with her heart parameters improving significantly.

In September, My was temporarily discharged from the hospital and went home to her mom’s care until her next surgery was scheduled. During this time, My reached a weight of 5 kilograms.