After he was admitted to the intensive care unit, doctors tried to find the woman to get her consent for surgery, but she had left the hospital.

Another woman then arrived at the hospital and told doctors she was the man’s wife.

A doctor, surnamed Chen, informed her that the patient’s condition was critical and he was in a coma with a very low chance of surviving an operation.

Also, the current medical equipment could only temporarily sustain him, and the cost of surgery was extremely high.

The wife said she knew her husband had been unfaithful for more than a decade, that he had no feelings for her and provided no financial support. She had not loved him for some time.

She refused to sign the consent form and asked doctors to remove her husband’s life-supporting tracheal tube and give up any efforts to revive him.

It is unclear what other relatives of the man thought of the decision, or were consulted.

According to Chinese law, when a patient is unable to make decisions doctors should explain the surgery risks to the patient’s close relatives and obtain their written consent.

This means that in certain circumstances, parents or a spouse can make medical decisions for the patient.

However, if the family members cannot reach a consensus on whether to continue treatment, the appropriate medical measures can be implemented immediately with the approval of the head of the medical institution.

The wife’s action sparked a widespread discussion on mainland social media.

“She is heartless. No matter what, giving up treatment is giving up a life,” one online observer wrote on Douyin.

“This unfaithful man is in critical condition and the surgery is unlikely to save him. This is his karma,” another person said.

“Your wife will accompany you until old age. Treating your wife well is treating yourself well,” said a third.

There have been other reports of similar cases across China.

In February 2009, Wen Yuzhang, 33, from the southern city of Shenzhen took his unconscious wife to hospital

She was kept alive by a ventilator, but on February 16, Wen disconnected her medical equipment, leading to her death.

He claimed he did it to end her suffering, but prosecutors believed it was because he had another woman in his life.

The court found insufficient evidence to prove his infidelity motivated his actions, ruling his behaviour to be impulsive with minor malice.