Heart Sapling Blossoms | Indonesian Trainee Wins “Most Challenging Case” Award at Leading Asian Medical Congress with Complex Case from XMCH

On July 26, the Asia Primary Angioplasty Congress (APAC 2025) concluded in Bali. During the event, Indonesian young physician Dr. Suryo Ardi Hutomo presented a complex acute myocardial infarction (AMI) case he participatedin during his training at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (XMCH), under the Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program. His case stood out among many others and won 3rd place in the "Most Challenging AMI Cases Awards."

A "Chinese Solution"to a Critical and Complex Case 

The case presented by Dr. Suryo involved a 78-year-old male patient admitted with subacute inferior myocardial infarction, heart failure, severe mitral regurgitation, diabetes, and renal dysfunction. After reperfusion therapy, the patient progressed to refractory myocardial infarction-induced cardiogenic shock (MI-CS) and required emergency veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, post-ECMO support, the patient developed left ventricular distention syndrome, leading to hemodynamic instability.

Under the guidance of President Dr. Wang Yan, Dr. Suryo and the XMCH team implemented a combined left heart decompression strategy using balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) and the domestically developed Synflow® 3.0 micro-axial pump, which rapidly and effectively improved the patient's clinical status and hemodynamics.

Such cases generally have a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. When VA-ECMO is applied, it may worsen left ventricular overload and lead to disastrous complications. This case was the first to report the use of a domestic micro-axial pump for left ventricular decompression in MI-CS under ECMO support. It verified the safety and effectiveness of combining the device with BAS, highlighting the synergy of Chinese clinical expertise and domestic medical innovation. It also vividly demonstrated the impact of the Heart Sapling Program as an international training platform for cardiovascular specialists.

An Indonesian Young Doctor's Bold Step Forward

Dr. Suryo works at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, one of Indonesia’s largest public hospitals. However, cardiovascular medical resources in the country are still relatively scarce and unevenly distributed. Interventional cardiovascular technologies are still in the early stages of development.

Motivated to improve his clinical skills, Dr. Suryo proactively applied for the "Heart Sapling" Visiting Scholar Program and began a one-year coronary intervention fellowship at XMCH in February 2024. He deeply valued this opportunity:"Here, not only is the equipment top-notch, but I also had access to numerous complex and high-risk cases—something I could hardly experience back home."

His mentor, Dr. Li Suiji, praised him:"He is diligent and meticulous, documenting each complex case in detail. He's inquisitive, proactive in asking questions, and gradually mastered interventional techniques under team guidance."Just three months after graduating and returning to Indonesia, Dr. Suryo successfully obtained PCI and other interventional surgery qualifications. He said sincerely:"I'm grateful for the platform XMCH provided. Without that intense year of practical training, I wouldn’t have passed the exams and obtained my license so quickly."

"XMCH Model" for International Medical Collaboration

The Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program was launched in 2023 and officially introduced by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) at the United Nations Headquarters. It has been included in the Global Development Project Repository. Since its inception, the program has attracted 26 young physicians from 12 countries, building a global platform for medical exchange and talent development.

Meanwhile, XMCH actively sends teams abroad to conduct surgical guidance in the trainees’ home countries, achieving reciprocal international cooperation. In August 2024, President Dr. Wang Yan and his team were invited to Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, where they held in-depth exchanges, signed a cooperation agreement, and successfully guided two first-ever interventional surgeries using Chinese innovative medical devices. This transformed a "Chinese solution" into "local practice."

By combining "bringing in" and "going out", XMCH is implementing the Global Development Initiative with concrete actions and contributing Chinese wisdom to global health. President Dr. Wang stated:"The Heart Sapling Program not only imparts technical skills but also cultivates clinical thinking and hands-on ability. We aim to share China’s cardiovascular innovations and mature experience, enabling advanced therapies to take root locally and benefit more patients."