T.O.P’s ICU admission due to drug overdose lead to a briefing held today, June 7 at the Mokdong Hospital Conference Room, Ewha Womans University, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Korea. The press conference happened after Choi Seung-hyun’s mother agreed to have a medical briefing for the media due to the conflicting reports released earlier.
“At the time of arrival on June 6 at 12:34PM KST, the patient was carried to the hospital with three companions; one guy held his upper limbs, while the two held the lower limbs. Choi Seung-hyun was in deep sleep. His pupils were contracted and responded only to strong stimulation. The patient showed unstable pulses, Hypoxia (diminished availability of oxygen to the body tissues), and high carbon dioxide levels. We gave him first aid, but he had breathing difficulties due to overuse of sleeping pills.” -Kim Han-soo, Head of Mokdong Hospital’s PR department
Kim added, “The patient needed a respiratory procedure and was moved to the intensive care unit at about 4:50 PM KST. The condition has not improved.”
“The condition differs depending on the age and patient status. The patient ingested excessive amounts of medication. The condition is not good,” said Lee Deok Hee, T.O.P’s family doctor who is in charge of emergency medicine.
“The patient responded only to strong stimuli at first… During my test with T.O.P at 3:30 PM this afternoon, he woke up but did not concentrate when stimulated. The reason that he was admitted in the ICU was because of high levels of carbon dioxide in his blood… Unconsciousness can cause breathing to stop and cause respiratory arrest.” -Dr. Kim Yong-jae, Neurologist
“There is no drug reaction other than the Benzodiazepine, a mood-stabilizing drug.” -Professor Lee
Kim said, “If there is no abnormality, he may recover after one week. After the treatment of respiratory insufficiency, it is necessary to have appropriate mental health treatment. We will also work with the neurology department, and we are currently doing oxygen therapy for him.”
Professor Lee said, “It is necessary to continue the treatment in the ICU because the condition is not that clear.”
Kim also added, “After the respiratory insufficiency has been treated, appropriate treatment should be continued… If he will have Benzodiazepine-based medication, we can properly monitor it in the ICU.”
According to the police, Big Bang member T.O.P went to sleep after taking his anti-anxiety medication on June 05 with the 4th guided troops of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Sinwol-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. He was rushed to a nearby hospital emergency room on June 06 at around 12 o’clock after he was found out to be unconscious in the morning.
Hong Si-wan, Seoul