A 22‑year‑old resident of Beijing tried to beat the heat on an oppressively hot afternoon by drinking roughly 1.5 litres of Coca‑Cola in just ten minutes. Within a few hours he was seized by severe stomach pain and a visibly distended abdomen, prompting an emergency call to Chaoyang Hospital.
Rapid Deterioration
Upon arrival, clinicians noted a tachycardic pulse, shallow breathing and critically low blood pressure. Blood work revealed ischemic hepatitis – commonly referred to as shock liver, a life‑threatening condition that results from a sudden drop in blood flow and oxygen to the liver.
The medical team traced the hepatic injury to a rapid surge of carbon dioxide gas from the soda, which they believe entered a major hepatic vessel and obstructed normal circulation.
Emergency Interventions
Doctors launched aggressive supportive therapy aimed at stabilising circulation and preventing further liver damage. A repeat imaging study twelve hours after admission showed extensive areas of liver necrosis despite the intensive care.
“The speed at which the gas accumulated was unprecedented, and it overwhelmed the liver’s capacity to cope,” a senior hepatologist explained.
Unfortunately, the young man could not recover and succumbed approximately 18 hours after his admission. The case underscores that even a previously healthy individual can face fatal consequences from consuming an extreme volume of carbonated drinks in a short span.
