Chinese Team performed World’s First Ultrasound-Guided, Radiation-Free TAVR Surgery
China Health Trip takes you through the latest medical breakthroughs in China, showcasing the possibilities of advanced healthcare. Read on for more insights.
In November 2024, a groundbreaking medical procedure was successfully performed under the spotlight of China’s medical science community. Using the advanced Evolut PRO valve, a remarkable team at Fu Wai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAAMS) gave a new lease of life to a patient who had suffered from the disease. The patient, a 66-year-old woman, had undergone aortic bioprosthetic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting eight years ago, but by some twist of fate, she was stranded again and now had aortic bioprosthetic stenosis.
A pure ultrasound-guided, radiation-free TAVR in SAVR protocol
After a thorough, detailed and in-depth evaluation by the team led by Professor Pan Xiangbin, the decision was made to adopt a pure ultrasound-guided, radiation-free TAVR in SAVR protocol. The Evolut PRO 23mm prosthetic valve was implanted using the right femoral artery as the main access and a large 20F sheath was precisely inserted. For the working guidewire, a SAFARI² pre-shaped guidewire was used to ensure precise handling during the procedure. The balloon pre-expansion programme was also carefully planned with a 22mm Atlas Gold balloon for pre-expansion and a 20mm balloon for post-expansion.
This radiation-free percutaneous intervention, pioneered by the team at Fu Wai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, is a major breakthrough in the medical field. It is cleverly guided by simple ultrasound through the peripheral vasculature and slowly into the heart, achieving a precise operation at a distance and opening up a whole new way of treating heart disease. The realisation of this technology means that patients do not have to undergo the huge trauma of an open heart surgery, and the potential hazards associated with radiation can be avoided, and complex cardiac treatments can be completed even while the patient remains conscious.
The significance of the technique
As it stands now, the radiation-free treatment techniques mastered by the team have been an impressive achievement. Not only have they been able to successfully deal with the difficult problem of aortic stenosis, but they have also demonstrated great skill in the treatment of a wide range of complex conditions such as atrial septal defects, arterial catheterisation, mitral valve closure insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac arrhythmias. What is even more amazing is that they have also realised door-to-door surgeries in the operating theatre, bringing medical services directly to patients; and robotic remote surgeries, which cross the space limitations with the help of the power of science and technology, and bring the hope of life to more patients. This series of innovations not only highlights the leading position of Chinese medicine in the cardiovascular field, but also injects a strong impetus into the treatment of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, and lights up the future for countless patients.
Chinese Team performed World’s First Ultrasound-Guided, Radiation-Free TAVR Surgery
China Health Trip takes you through the latest medical breakthroughs in China, showcasing the possibilities of advanced healthcare. Read on for more insights.
In November 2024, a groundbreaking medical procedure was successfully performed under the spotlight of China’s medical science community. Using the advanced Evolut PRO valve, a remarkable team at Fu Wai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAAMS) gave a new lease of life to a patient who had suffered from the disease. The patient, a 66-year-old woman, had undergone aortic bioprosthetic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting eight years ago, but by some twist of fate, she was stranded again and now had aortic bioprosthetic stenosis.
A pure ultrasound-guided, radiation-free TAVR in SAVR protocol
After a thorough, detailed and in-depth evaluation by the team led by Professor Pan Xiangbin, the decision was made to adopt a pure ultrasound-guided, radiation-free TAVR in SAVR protocol. The Evolut PRO 23mm prosthetic valve was implanted using the right femoral artery as the main access and a large 20F sheath was precisely inserted. For the working guidewire, a SAFARI² pre-shaped guidewire was used to ensure precise handling during the procedure. The balloon pre-expansion programme was also carefully planned with a 22mm Atlas Gold balloon for pre-expansion and a 20mm balloon for post-expansion.
This radiation-free percutaneous intervention, pioneered by the team at Fu Wai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, is a major breakthrough in the medical field. It is cleverly guided by simple ultrasound through the peripheral vasculature and slowly into the heart, achieving a precise operation at a distance and opening up a whole new way of treating heart disease. The realisation of this technology means that patients do not have to undergo the huge trauma of an open heart surgery, and the potential hazards associated with radiation can be avoided, and complex cardiac treatments can be completed even while the patient remains conscious.
The significance of the technique
As it stands now, the radiation-free treatment techniques mastered by the team have been an impressive achievement. Not only have they been able to successfully deal with the difficult problem of aortic stenosis, but they have also demonstrated great skill in the treatment of a wide range of complex conditions such as atrial septal defects, arterial catheterisation, mitral valve closure insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac arrhythmias. What is even more amazing is that they have also realised door-to-door surgeries in the operating theatre, bringing medical services directly to patients; and robotic remote surgeries, which cross the space limitations with the help of the power of science and technology, and bring the hope of life to more patients. This series of innovations not only highlights the leading position of Chinese medicine in the cardiovascular field, but also injects a strong impetus into the treatment of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, and lights up the future for countless patients.
