China's Top Departments: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Xinhua Hospital
National-level Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center | Birthplace of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery in China
If your child has been diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD), Xinhua Hospital's Pediatric Cardiovascular Department is where China's most complex cases are treated. Established in 1974 as China's first pediatric cardiothoracic surgery department, this is the birthplace of pediatric cardiac surgery in the country — and today it remains a National Key Clinical Specialty and National Key Discipline.
The department performs over 1,200 cardiac surgeries and 2,000 thoracic surgeries annually, with a surgical success rate exceeding 98%. With 105 thoracic surgery beds (including 23 ICU beds) and 28 pediatric cardiology beds, it offers comprehensive care from fetal diagnosis through adult follow-up.
But what truly sets Xinhua apart is its pioneering work in fetal cardiac intervention — treating heart conditions before birth. In 2018, the team performed Asia's first fetal aortic valve balloon dilation, and in 2016, China's first fetal pulmonary valve balloon dilation. These breakthroughs established the "Fetal Medicine" discipline — a new paradigm for preventing severe CHD complications in the perinatal period.
At ChinaMed Select, we help international families connect with Xinhua's pediatric cardiac team for complex congenital heart conditions. Here's what you need to know.
Signature Innovations
Fetal Cardiac Intervention — Asia-Leading
Xinhua is the pioneer of fetal cardiac intervention in Asia. If your unborn child has been diagnosed with severe CHD, this team can offer in-utero treatment that was impossible a decade ago:
- 2018: Asia's first fetal aortic valve balloon dilation
- 2016: China's first fetal pulmonary valve balloon dilation
- Founder of the "Fetal Medicine" discipline — intervening before birth to prevent irreversible damage
What this means for you: If prenatal ultrasound detects a serious heart defect, Xinhua's fetal intervention team can potentially treat the condition before your baby is born — reducing the severity of surgery needed after birth and improving long-term outcomes.
Precision Diagnosis System — Five-Section Ultrasound
The department developed a Five-Section Ultrasound technique that increased CHD diagnostic accuracy from 74.8% to 90.5%. This isn't just incremental improvement — it means fewer missed diagnoses, fewer false positives, and more accurate surgical planning.
They also developed the world's first virtual reality ultrasound system (VR Endoscopy) for CHD, allowing surgeons to visualize complex cardiac anatomy in 3D before entering the operating room.
Neonatal Ultra-Early Intervention — Dramatically Reduced Mortality
For newborns with pulmonary atresia or pulmonary stenosis, Xinhua pioneered ultra-early interventional therapy. The results speak for themselves: mortality reduced from the international average of 35% to just 0.3%.
This isn't just better — it's transformational. Babies who would have died elsewhere are surviving and thriving at Xinhua.
Bioabsorbable Stents — Pediatric-Specific Innovation
The department developed original bioabsorbable stents designed specifically for children. Unlike permanent metal stents that grow with the child (or don't), these stents dissolve after serving their purpose, eliminating the need for future removal surgeries and allowing natural growth.
Full Life-Cycle Care
Xinhua offers a complete care pathway: fetus → child → adult. This means:
- Fetal diagnosis and in-utero intervention
- Neonatal and pediatric surgery
- Adolescent follow-up
- Adult CHD management
Your child won't "age out" of care — the team provides continuity from before birth through adulthood.
Mei's Minimally Invasive AF Surgery
Prof. Mei Ju's team has developed minimally invasive atrial fibrillation surgery with world-leading case volume and outcomes. For older children and adolescents with arrhythmias, this offers less invasive alternatives to traditional open surgery.
Meet the Experts
| Name | Role | What Matters for Your Care |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. SUN Kun 🏅 | President of Xinhua Hospital, National Grade II Professor | Chair of Chinese Pediatric Society. Pioneer of "Fetal Medicine". 2024 National Science & Technology Progress Award (2nd Prize). If your child has a complex CHD, this is the leader whose team will oversee the care. |
| Prof. CHEN Sun | Director, Pediatric Cardiology | Expert in complex congenital heart disease intervention. Leads the catheterization-based treatment program. |
| Prof. LU Yanan | Director, Pediatric Cardiac Surgery | Expert in complex and critical CHD surgery. Performs the highest-risk cases. |
| Prof. MEI Ju | Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Grade II Professor | State Council Special Allowance recipient. "Golden Scalpel" Award winner. Inventor of Mei's minimally invasive AF surgery. |
The department is part of the Chair Unit of the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Cardiovascular Society and maintains ongoing exchanges with Harvard/Boston Children's Hospital, Toronto SickKids, and Great Ormond Street (London).
Research That Wins Awards
The department's research directly translates to better patient outcomes:
- 2024 National Science & Technology Progress Award (2nd Prize) — Sun Kun team
- Fudan Ranking: Pediatric Surgery — #7 nationally
- Top 10 Pediatric Hospitals: #4 nationally
- Clinical results adopted in 313 hospitals across 31 provinces
The department's innovations aren't just published — they're implemented nationwide, improving care for thousands of children across China.
International Collaboration
Xinhua is globally connected:
- Gates Foundation-funded project: AI stethoscope deployment in Africa
- Collaborative R&D: Fetal robotic catheter with SJTU Medical Robotics Institute
- Ongoing exchanges: Harvard/Boston Children's Hospital, Toronto SickKids, Great Ormond Street (London)
This global network means your child benefits from international best practices and cutting-edge research collaborations.
What International Families Should Know
Language & Support
Xinhua Hospital serves many international families. English-speaking coordinators can be arranged. For pediatric cardiac surgery — where precise communication about your child's condition, surgical options, and post-operative care is critical — we strongly recommend working with a bilingual medical coordinator who understands both the medical terminology and the emotional weight of these decisions.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made via Xinhua's official channels or through a medical coordinator
- For new patients, the typical timeline from initial consultation to surgery is 1–3 weeks (depending on case complexity and urgency)
- The department's 246 specialized clinics and 37 rare/complex disease clinics ensure access to the right specialist quickly
- Fetal intervention cases require coordination with maternal-fetal medicine — the team handles this seamlessly
Cost Estimates
Pediatric cardiac surgery costs vary based on procedure complexity. Here are general ranges:
| Service | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial pediatric cardiology consultation | ¥300–800 | $42–110 |
| Comprehensive cardiac workup (echo, MRI, cath) | ¥8,000–25,000 | $1,100–3,500 |
| Simple CHD repair (ASD/VSD closure) | ¥40,000–80,000 | $5,500–11,000 |
| Complex CHD surgery (Tetralogy of Fallot, etc.) | ¥80,000–150,000 | $11,000–21,000 |
| Fetal cardiac intervention | ¥50,000–120,000 | $7,000–17,000 |
| Neonatal cardiac surgery | ¥100,000–200,000 | $14,000–28,000 |
| PICU stay (per day) | ¥5,000–15,000 | $700–2,100 |
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on your child's specific condition, procedure complexity, ICU stay length, and any complications. International families should budget for follow-up visits.
Getting There
| Campus | Address |
|---|---|
| Yangpu Campus (Main) | 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai |
| Fengxian Campus | 6688 Dongfang Meigu Avenue, Fengxian District, Shanghai |
Most international patients are seen at the Yangpu Campus, which houses the main pediatric cardiac surgery center.
How ChinaMed Select Can Help
A child's heart condition is terrifying — especially in a foreign healthcare system. ChinaMed Select ensures you're fully supported:
- Expert Matching: Whether it's a simple ASD or a complex critical CHD, we connect you with the right subspecialist — surgeons for surgical cases, cardiologists for catheter-based interventions, fetal medicine specialists for in-utero treatment
- Medical Record Preparation: Pediatric cardiac consultations require detailed echocardiogram reports, imaging (MRI/CT), genetic test results, and growth charts. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your child's case efficiently
- Fetal Intervention Coordination: If you need fetal cardiac intervention, we coordinate with both the pediatric cardiac team and maternal-fetal medicine — ensuring seamless care for both mother and baby
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly with the department
- Certified Medical Translation: Pediatric cardiac care involves complex discussions about anatomy, surgical options, risks, and long-term outcomes. Our translators ensure you understand every detail
- Family Support: We understand that traveling internationally for your child's heart surgery is stressful. From airport pickup to family-friendly hotel arrangement, interpreter presence at every appointment, and post-operative follow-up coordination, we handle logistics so you can focus on your child
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: Hospital official channels or through ChinaMed Select
- Yangpu Campus (Main): 1665 Kongjiang Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai
- Fengxian Campus: 6688 Dongfang Meigu Avenue, Fengxian District, Shanghai
- Website: www.xinhuamed.com.cn
- Tel: (+86) 021-2507 8999
Your child's heart condition deserves the best care. Contact ChinaMed Select for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your child's cardiac condition and imaging, connect you with the right pediatric cardiac team at Xinhua Hospital, and coordinate your family's entire journey — from fetal intervention to post-operative follow-up.