China's Top Departments: Cardiac Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University

If you or a loved one needs complex heart surgery — from valve replacement and coronary bypass to heart transplantation and aortic surgery — the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, is one of China's most distinguished cardiovascular surgery centers.

Founded in 1947 by Prof. Huang Jiasi, a pioneer of Chinese cardiac surgery, this department has grown into a National Key Discipline and National Key Clinical Specialty. With 5 subspecialties, 10 operating rooms, and 3,500+ surgeries annually, it handles the most complex cardiac cases in China with a 98% success rate.

The department is led by Prof. Wang Chunsheng, who has personally performed 1,000+ minimally invasive valve surgeries, 300+ heart transplants, and 2,000+ aortic surgeries. Many core surgeons have trained at leading institutions in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

At ChinaMed Select, we've helped international patients access this exceptional department for complex valve surgery, coronary bypass, and heart transplantation. Here's what you need to know.

Five Subspecialties — Comprehensive Cardiac Surgery

1. Heart Valve Surgery

One of China's leading valve surgery centers:

• Mitral valve repair and replacement — over 500 cases annually
• Aortic valve replacement — including transcatheter (TAVI) and surgical options
• Tricuspid valve surgery — repair and replacement
• Minimally invasive valve surgery — thoracoscopic and robotic approaches
• Valve repair rate: 70%+ for mitral valve (among China's best)

2. Coronary Artery Surgery

Advanced coronary bypass techniques:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) — over 800 cases annually
• Off-pump CABG (beating heart surgery)
• Minimally invasive direct CABG (MIDCAB)
• Hybrid coronary revascularization — combining bypass and stenting
• Arterial grafting using internal mammary artery and radial artery

3. Advanced Heart Disease Surgery

Treatment for end-stage heart failure:

• Heart transplantation — 50+ cases annually, 5-year survival 75%+
• Ventricular assist devices (VAD) — bridge to transplant or destination therapy
• Left ventricular aneurysm repair
• Cardiac tumor resection (myxoma, sarcoma)

4. Great Vessel Surgery

Surgery for aortic and pulmonary diseases:

• Aortic dissection repair — over 200 cases annually
• Aortic aneurysm repair — open and endovascular (EVAR/TEVAR)
• Aortic root replacement (David procedure, Bentall procedure)
• Pulmonary artery surgery — thromboendarterectomy, reconstruction

5. Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Pioneering minimally invasive approaches:

• Thoracoscopic valve surgery — smaller incisions, faster recovery
• Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery (Da Vinci system)
• Minimally invasive CABG — through small thoracotomy
• Transcatheter interventions — TAVI, MitraClip, ASD/PFO closure

Academic Leadership

Prof. Wang Chunsheng — Cardiac Surgery Pioneer

Director and Chief Physician, Prof. Wang Chunsheng is one of China's most experienced cardiac surgeons:

• 1,000+ minimally invasive valve surgeries throughout his career
• 300+ heart transplants with excellent long-term outcomes
• 2,000+ aortic surgeries including complex dissections
• National Outstanding Youth Science Fund recipient
• Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor
• Vice President of Chinese Medical Association Cardiovascular Surgery Branch
• Published 200+ peer-reviewed papers in international journals

Prof. Lai Hao — Aortic Surgery Expert

Deputy Director, specializing in:

• Complex aortic dissection repair
• Aortic root replacement (David procedure)
• Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR)

Cutting-Edge Technology

The department is equipped with the latest cardiac surgery technology:

Clinical Volume and Outcomes

International Patient Services

Language Support

• English-speaking coordinators in the international patient department
• Professional medical interpreters available
• Treatment plans and operative reports provided in English
• Japanese-language support available (Zhongshan has strong ties with Japanese cardiac centers)

Insurance and Payment

Zhongshan Hospital accepts direct billing from major international insurers including MSH, BUPA, Allianz, Cigna, and 40+ others.

Location and Contact

• Main Campus: 180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China
• Tel: 021-64041990
• Appointment Hotline: 400-626-0121
• International Medical Email: [email protected]

What International Patients Should Know

When to Consider This Department

• Heart valve disease requiring repair or replacement
• Coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery
• End-stage heart failure requiring transplantation or VAD
• Aortic disease (dissection, aneurysm) requiring urgent surgery
• Minimally invasive options for valve or coronary surgery
• Second opinion on cardiac surgery options

The Treatment Journey

1. Initial Consultation: Submit medical records, echocardiogram, angiography for remote review
2. Treatment Plan: Receive detailed surgical proposal including approach, risks, and costs
3. Pre-operative Preparation: Additional imaging, cardiac catheterization, optimization
4. Surgery: Duration varies (3-12 hours depending on complexity)
5. Recovery: 1-2 weeks in ICU/step-down, 2-4 weeks in hospital
6. Return Home: 2-3 months in Shanghai for follow-up, then remote monitoring

Cost Estimates

Note: These are estimates for international patients. Actual costs depend on case complexity, length of stay, and any complications.

How ChinaMed Select Can Help

Complex cardiac surgery requires careful coordination. ChinaMed Select provides:

• Case Review: Submit your cardiac records for pre-evaluation by our surgical team
• Hospital Coordination: Direct communication with the international patient department
• Interpreter Services: Professional medical interpreters for all consultations and consent discussions
• Accommodation: Arrangement of housing near the hospital for extended stays
• Post-operative Care: Coordination of follow-up appointments and cardiac rehabilitation
• Insurance Navigation: Assistance with direct billing claims and documentation

Contact ChinaMed Select for a free consultation about cardiac surgery at Zhongshan Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Zhongshan Hospital's cardiac surgery compare to top centers in the US or Europe?

A: The department's academic credentials are world-class — National Key Discipline status, 3,500+ annual surgeries, and academician-level leadership. The key advantages are: significantly lower costs (60-80% less than US/Europe), shorter wait times (surgery within 1-2 weeks), and high-volume surgeons who perform complex procedures daily.

Q: I need heart valve surgery. Is minimally invasive an option?

A: Yes. The department performs over 500 minimally invasive valve surgeries annually using thoracoscopic and robotic approaches. Recovery is typically 2-3 weeks vs. 6-8 weeks for open surgery. Not all patients are candidates — submit your echocardiogram for evaluation.

Q: What about heart transplantation? How long is the wait?

A: For Chinese citizens, the wait is typically 3-6 months. For international patients, living donor options may be available (family members). The department performs 50+ transplants annually with 75%+ 5-year survival.

Q: How long do I need to stay in Shanghai after surgery?

A: For valve surgery: 2-3 weeks in hospital, 1-2 months in Shanghai. For CABG: 2-3 weeks in hospital, 1-2 months in Shanghai. For heart transplant: 3-4 weeks in hospital, 2-3 months in Shanghai.

Q: What if complications occur after I return home?

A: The department provides detailed discharge summaries and operative reports in English. Remote follow-up via video consultation is available. For serious complications, emergency re-admission can be arranged.

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Facing complex heart surgery? Contact ChinaMed Select for a free consultation. We'll review your case, connect you with Zhongshan Hospital's cardiac surgery team, and coordinate your entire surgical journey — from medical record translation to post-operative cardiac rehabilitation.