A 22‑year‑old Chinese man tried to beat the heat on a scorching day by chugging approximately 1.5 L of Coca‑Cola in just ten minutes. Within a few hours he was rushed to Chaoyang Hospital in Beijing, clutching his abdomen and showing a markedly distended belly.
Sudden Deterioration
On examination, doctors noted a tachycardic pulse, shallow breathing and dangerously low blood pressure. Blood work revealed ischemic hepatitis, commonly referred to as shock liver, a life‑threatening condition caused by inadequate blood flow and oxygen to the liver.
The team attributed the hepatic injury to a rapid accumulation of carbon dioxide gas from the soda, which likely entered the hepatic portal system and compromised circulation.
Aggressive Medical Intervention
Immediate supportive therapy was launched to prevent further liver damage. A repeat imaging study twelve hours after admission demonstrated widespread liver necrosis despite intensive care.
Unfortunately, the patient could not be salvaged and died about 18 hours after his arrival. The case highlights that the victim was previously healthy, illustrating the potentially fatal danger of ingesting massive quantities of carbonated drinks in a brief period.
