A New Chapter of Medical Technology Going Abroad: Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University Conducts Surgical Demonstration in Vietnam Chinese Original Solutions and Domestic Devices Gain International Recognition

On September 9 (local time), a delegation of experts from Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (referred to as “Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital”), visited Thanh Hoa General Hospital in Vietnam. They carried out academic exchanges and performed complex surgical demonstrations. During the visit, they successfully completed the first case in Thanh Hoa Province of China’s original Left Bundle Branch Pacing (LBBP) and introduced China’s domestically developed high-end Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) system to Vietnam. With exquisite “Chinese techniques” and advanced “Made-in-China” devices, the team refreshed local treatment concepts and received high praise from their Vietnamese counterparts.

Deepening Exchanges, Moving Forward Together 

A New Chapter of China-Vietnam Medical Cooperation

This visit was built upon a solid foundation of cooperation between the two hospitals. In September 2023, Dr. Nguyen Tuan Viet, a young physician from Thanh Hoa General Hospital, was selected for the “Heart Seedling” Visiting Scholar Program—an international cardiovascular physician training project initiated by Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital. He went to Xiamen, China, for six months of specialized training in cardiac electrophysiology.

Since then, the collaboration between the two hospitals has grown closer:

• In May 2024, an online academic exchange was held.

• In December 2024, President Wang Yan of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital was invited to attend Thanh Hoa General Hospital’s annual meeting online, where he shared multiple complex valve intervention cases, leaving a strong impression on Vietnamese colleagues.

• In May this year, Thanh Hoa General Hospital’s President, Dr. Le Van Sy, led a delegation to visit Xiamen, where they observed complex surgeries on site. They highly praised the independently developed Chinese technologies spearheaded by Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital’s clinical research. During that visit, the two hospitals officially signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation.

Domestic Devices Show Strength

Chinese Medical Solutions Earn Recognition

During the visit, Director Ye Tao from Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital performed three coronary interventions for Vietnamese experts, including one particularly challenging case involving severe coronary calcification. Using the domestically produced IVL system Sonico-CX® in combination with rotational atherectomy, he successfully opened the patient’s blocked coronary artery.

Severe coronary calcification has long been a major challenge in interventional cardiology, with traditional devices often failing to achieve satisfactory outcomes. The IVL system, when combined with rotational atherectomy, demonstrated outstanding deliverability and effective plaque modification, offering a new solution to this long-standing problem.

Throughout the surgery, Vietnamese experts repeatedly praised both the Chinese technology and the performance of the domestic device. “The performance of this Chinese-made device is excellent, exceeding our expectations,” said Dr. Le The Anh, Director of Cardiology at Thanh Hoa General Hospital. “We are very grateful to the Xiamen experts for bringing such advanced technology and equipment to Vietnam.”

Precise Pacing, New Perspectives 

Chinese Technology Defines a New Standard

Directors Cai Binni and Li Linlin from Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital jointly demonstrated a complex Left Bundle Branch Pacing (LBBP) procedure. This marked the first standardized LBBP procedure at Thanh Hoa General Hospital.

As one of the earliest centers in China to adopt this technology, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital has accumulated extensive clinical experience in LBBP. In this case, the team precisely captured the left bundle branch, achieving results that were significantly better than traditional pacing methods. “The Chinese experts completely refreshed our understanding,” remarked a Vietnamese physician who observed the procedure. “They not only showed us how to do it, but how to do it better. We very much hope to visit Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital to study this technique in depth.”

LBBP, an original Chinese electrophysiological innovation, provides a more physiological pacing option for patients with conduction block, improving clinical outcomes. This demonstration set a new technical benchmark for the adoption of LBBP in Vietnam.

Academic Forum, Sharing Experience

Exchanging New Advances in Medicine

On September 11 (local time), Thanh Hoa General Hospital hosted an international cardiovascular intervention seminar, gathering experts and young physicians from over ten well-known hospitals across Vietnam. The Xiamen delegation was invited to give academic lectures and share their experiences with Chinese technologies.

• Director Ye Tao presented on the management of coronary calcification, highlighting the technical features and advantages of the Chinese-developed IVL system.

• Director Cai Binni shared Xiamen’s journey from the concept to clinical application of LBBP, showcasing China’s comprehensive solutions for complex arrhythmias.

• Director Li Linlin introduced Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital and the “Heart Seedling” Visiting Scholar Program, which drew great interest from Vietnamese colleagues. Many expressed strong hopes to join the program and receive cardiovascular training in Xiamen.

The three experts’ presentations covered clinical techniques, innovative devices, expert experiences, talent cultivation, and international cooperation, showcasing China’s comprehensive innovations in the cardiovascular field. They left a deep impression on the Vietnamese audience and opened doors for further collaboration.

Expanding Cooperation, Benefiting More Patients

The visit received high praise and enthusiastic responses from the Vietnamese side. Dr. Le Van Sy, President of Thanh Hoa General Hospital, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Xiamen team on behalf of his hospital. He proposed establishing an annual exchange mechanism, enhancing collaboration on medical device innovation, and continuing to send young doctors to Xiamen for subspecialty training in coronary interventions, structural heart disease, and electrophysiology. He also suggested building a green referral channel for critically ill patients, so more Vietnamese patients could benefit from China’s top-tier medical expertise.

From the first batch of “Heart Seedling” trainees traveling to China, to regular online academic exchanges, to reciprocal expert visits and surgical demonstrations—through international talent cultivation and the global expansion of Chinese medical devices—Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital has consistently shared Chinese technologies, solutions, and expertise.

China’s cardiovascular innovations are now reaching more countries along the Belt and Road, delivering tangible benefits to local populations through practical and in-depth exchanges.