Taiwanese model dies after 19 days in coma following general anesthesia at clinic

A Taiwanese car show model, Cai Yuxin, also known as the Lin Chi-Ling of the car model world, has passed away after 19 days in a medically-induced coma.

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According to local media reports, she had gone to Fairy Clinic (Fa Rui in Mandarin), for her insomnia.

While there, Cai was given a dose of propofol, a fast-acting sedative nicknamed "milk of amnesia" due to its appearance.

The doctor, Wu Shao Hu, said during interrogation that the drug's intravenous drip rate had been increased without his knowledge after he apparently left the clinic for other business.

Yahoo Taiwan also noted that surveillance footage for the incident had been wiped.

Cai's heartbeat stopped after being administered the sedative, and she was rushed to the hospital and subsequently declared brain dead, according to Taiwan News. 

The publication also cited an anaesthesiology chief as saying propofol must be given in an operating room or intensive care unit with proper monitoring.

While it is often used for anaesthetic purposes, it carries risks such as a "slowed heartbeat", which can be fatal "if not carefully monitored", according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The family eventually decided, after 19 days, to remove her from life support.

The woman's friend was seen begging Cai's brother not to take her off life support, with Taiwan EBC news scenes airing the scene.

The doctor at the center of the incident is currently under investigation.

The case is reportedly focusing on whether the propofol was administered properly, with media reports stating that the intravenous drip rate of the propofol was too quick, which could have resulted in Cai slipping into a coma.

Image from 蔡語芯/Facebook