Top Chinese and U.S. Cardiology Experts Gather at XMCH Observing and Discussing Multiple Chinese-Origin Interventional Techniques

Recently, Professor Raj Makkar and Professor Hasan Jilaihawi from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the U.S. made a special visit to Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (referred to as "XMCH"), to observe and study China’s original medical devices and interventional treatment solutions. At the same time, Professor Wei Zheng, a renowned cardiac surgeon from Taiwan and President of Taipei Cheng Hsin Hospital, joined the visit. Under the on-site guidance of Professor Ge Junbo, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, Professor Wang Yan and his team at XMCH demonstrated three robot-assisted transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (R-TEER) procedures and one combined procedure of transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty (TTVA) and percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation (PADN). All three procedures are global firsts and original Chinese innovations, showcasing China’s breakthroughs in medical device innovation and clinical expertise. These achievements received high recognition and praise from the U.S. experts. 

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, established in 1902 and located in California, is the largest nonprofit academic medical institution in the western United States. It has been ranked among the U.S. News "Best Hospitals Honor Roll" for nine consecutive years, with its cardiology department ranked sixth nationally. Professor Raj Makkar is a world-renowned expert in interventional cardiology, serving as Chair of Interventional Cardiology at Cedars-Sinai and Associate Director of the Smidt Heart Institute. He is a leading figure in structural heart disease interventions, with one of the highest global volumes of valve procedures.

Integration of Medicine and Engineering Demonstrates the Rise of Chinese Innovation

As a sub-center of the National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease and a Regional Medical Center for Cardiovascular Disease, XMCH routinely performs various complex interventional procedures, ranking among the top nationwide in terms of both technical complexity and surgical volume. The hospital continues to promote domestic medical-engineering integration and independent innovation by collaborating with enterprises to develop a variety of innovative medical devices—some of which are the first of their kind both in China and globally. 

In December 2023, Professor Wang Yan's team completed the world’s first robot-assisted transcatheter mitral valve repair. The robot, co-developed over several years by Professor Wang and a domestic medical device company, possesses completely independent intellectual property rights. Compared to traditional methods, the robot enables precision operation through quantitative control, reduces the risk of complications with defined safety boundaries, and demonstrates performance superior to manual operation. In October 2024, Professor Wang presented this innovative technology and its clinical data for the first time at the TCT 2024 Conference in the U.S., attracting global attention. Experts from several countries, including Professor Raj Makkar, subsequently visited to observe and learn. 

During this recent demonstration, Professor Wang’s team performed three robot-assisted TEER procedures, precisely operating robotic arms to achieve edge-to-edge mitral valve clipping. All patients experienced significant improvement in mitral regurgitation, meeting the expected treatment goals. After observing the procedure in the catheterization lab, Academician Ge Junbo highly recognized the innovative technology and operational model of the surgical robot. Professor Raj Makkar praised the robot for its "excellent responsiveness and precise control performance," expressed strong confidence in its future applications, and showed great interest in collaborative efforts for further clinical research and product validation.

Subsequently, Professor Wang’s team used the domestically developed K-Clip transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty system and PADN pulmonary artery radiofrequency ablation catheter to treat a patient with complex tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension. Both devices are also global firsts, resulting from deep integration of medical and engineering innovation with XMCH, and both have been approved for market release by the NMPA. This surgery marked the world’s first combined clinical application of K-Clip and PADN.

One innovative product after another was showcased in a series of spectacular procedures. After observing, the U.S. experts were deeply impressed. Professor Raj Makkar stated that “Chinese technologies are leading global innovation in cardiovascular interventions.”

International Collaboration Boosts Global Recognition  of Chinese Medical Devices

In recent years, XMCH has not only focused on medical technology innovation, medical-engineering integration, and technology transformation but has also actively expanded international collaboration in the cardiovascular field. These efforts support the global promotion of China’s innovative medical devices and have led to a dual approach of "Inbound" and "Outbound" to help Chinese technology and devices reach the world stage. The recent surgical demonstrations exemplify this innovative practice.

“Outbound”

Since 2024, XMCH has been invited to conduct academic exchanges in nine countries and regions, including Brazil, El Salvador, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Russia, Canada, and Thailand. The hospital has guided local institutions in performing surgeries using China’s innovative medical devices, achieving many first overseas or in-country implantations. Additionally, through online academic conferences, the hospital has shared Chinese technologies, solutions, and expert experiences with international peers via academic discussions and technical demonstrations, promoting global recognition of Chinese innovation.

“Inbound”

XMCH has launched the “Heart Sapling” Visiting Scholar Program to recruit international young cardiovascular physicians for training in Xiamen. This program was officially announced by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) at the United Nations Headquarters in April 2023 and included in CIDCA’s Global Development Project Library in April 2024. To date, the hospital has trained 25 scholars from 12 countries. These visiting scholars study innovative diagnostic and treatment techniques and gain hands-on experience with Chinese-developed medical devices, laying the foundation for the global dissemination of China’s cardiovascular medical technologies and products.

XMCH adheres to the development strategy of “clinical-driven integration of medicine and engineering, with innovation fueling industrial growth.” It offers a replicable and scalable model for Chinese medical technological innovation and international export. In the future, the hospital will continue to deepen global cooperation and contribute Chinese wisdom to the advancement of global cardiovascular health.