Why Consider Cardiac Surgery in China
China has developed a comprehensive cardiovascular care system supported by high-volume tertiary hospitals, experienced cardiac surgeons, advanced imaging technology, dedicated cardiac intensive care units, and multidisciplinary medical teams.
Leading cardiac centers in China provide surgical treatment for coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, aortic disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and advanced heart failure. Depending on the patient’s condition, treatment may involve conventional open-heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery, catheter-based intervention, hybrid procedures, mechanical circulatory support, or heart transplantation.
Through our network of partner hospitals, China Medical Services helps international patients obtain specialist assessments, identify an appropriate hospital and medical team, organize treatment arrangements, and receive coordinated support throughout the medical journey. Our role is to facilitate access and coordination; final diagnoses and treatment decisions are made by licensed hospital specialists.
01. A Comprehensive and Standardized Cardiac Care System
Cardiac surgery in China is concentrated in major tertiary hospitals that combine cardiovascular surgery, cardiology, anesthesiology, intensive care medicine, medical imaging, rehabilitation, and emergency medicine.
This integrated structure enables patients to receive a continuous pathway of care—from initial examination and surgical assessment to perioperative management, cardiac rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up.
For patients being evaluated for heart transplantation, China has a national legal and regulatory framework governing organ donation, allocation, and transplantation. The revised Regulations on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation took effect on May 1, 2024, strengthening requirements related to ethical donation, institutional responsibility, medical quality, and legal supervision.
International patients must undergo the same hospital-based medical assessment and eligibility review as other patients. Availability of a specific treatment, especially organ transplantation, can never be guaranteed in advance.
02. Broad Clinical Scope and Experienced Surgical Teams
Chinese cardiac centers evaluate and treat a wide spectrum of adult and congenital cardiovascular conditions.
| Condition | Possible Surgical or Interventional Options |
| Coronary artery disease | Coronary artery bypass grafting, including conventional or off-pump CABG when appropriate |
| Valvular heart disease | Mitral, aortic or tricuspid valve repair and replacement |
| Aortic disease | Surgery for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and other complex great-vessel conditions |
| Congenital heart disease | Surgical correction or minimally invasive closure procedures for selected defects |
| Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | Septal reduction procedures, including surgical myectomy in suitable patients |
| Arrhythmia associated with structural heart disease | Surgical ablation or combined surgical and electrophysiological treatment |
| Advanced heart failure | Mechanical circulatory support, ECMO-assisted care, transplant assessment and rehabilitation |
| End-stage heart disease | Heart transplantation evaluation at appropriately licensed centers |
The treatment pathway depends on the patient’s diagnosis, age, heart function, previous procedures, accompanying diseases, surgical risk, and overall physical condition.
Before recommending surgery, the medical team may review echocardiography, coronary angiography, cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, laboratory examinations, pulmonary function, vascular imaging, and other relevant test results.
03. Integrated Perioperative and Critical-Care Support
Successful cardiac surgery depends not only on the operation itself, but also on careful preparation, anesthesia management, intensive care, infection prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term cardiovascular management.
Leading Chinese hospitals generally use a multidisciplinary team model involving:
- Cardiovascular surgeons
- Cardiologists
- Cardiac anesthesiologists
- Intensive care specialists
- Medical imaging specialists
- Perfusion and ECMO teams
- Rehabilitation physicians
- Clinical pharmacists
- Nutrition specialists
- International patient coordinators
This collaborative model helps the hospital assess surgical risk, select an appropriate treatment strategy, prepare for possible complications, and create an individualized recovery plan.
For complex cases, multidisciplinary case discussions may be arranged before admission or surgery. International patients can submit medical records, imaging reports, surgical histories, medication lists, and laboratory results for preliminary specialist review.
04. Technical Innovations and Advanced Cardiac Procedures
Chinese cardiovascular centers continue to develop less invasive and more precise approaches to complex heart disease.
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Selected valve, congenital heart, and structural heart procedures may be performed through smaller incisions or minimally invasive access routes.
Compared with conventional sternotomy in suitable patients, minimally invasive approaches may reduce surgical trauma and support earlier recovery. However, they are not appropriate for every patient, and the final approach must be determined by the surgical team.
Advanced Coronary Revascularization
Coronary artery bypass grafting remains an important treatment for patients with complex or extensive coronary artery disease.
Depending on coronary anatomy, ventricular function, age, and operative risk, surgeons may consider conventional on-pump CABG, off-pump CABG, or a combined hybrid treatment strategy.
Valve Repair and Replacement
Chinese cardiac teams provide surgical treatment for mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valve disease.
Whenever clinically appropriate, valve repair may be considered to preserve the patient’s native valve. Valve replacement options may include mechanical or biological prosthetic valves, depending on the patient’s age, condition, lifestyle, and long-term anticoagulation requirements.
Complex Aortic Surgery
Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection can require urgent, technically demanding surgery.
Treatment may involve reconstruction or replacement of part of the aorta, management of affected branch vessels, and coordinated intensive-care support. Some patients may also be assessed for endovascular or hybrid procedures.
Heart Failure Support and Transplantation
For patients with advanced or end-stage heart failure, treatment may involve intensive medical management, resynchronization therapy, ECMO, mechanical circulatory support, or heart transplantation assessment.
Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital is a Grade A tertiary general hospital licensed for liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplantation. Its materials also describe multidisciplinary clinical capabilities, critical-care support, and an international healthcare service system.
Precision and Image-Guided Treatment
Advanced cardiovascular imaging supports more accurate diagnosis and procedural planning.
Shulan Hospital’s cardiovascular department lists coronary angiography and intervention, electrophysiology procedures, congenital heart defect closure, coronary CT angiography, cardiac MRI, and ECMO-supported treatment among its clinical capabilities.
Tongji Hospital has also reported the development of transapical beating-heart septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, together with international academic collaboration in complex cardiovascular surgery.
A Collaborative and Comprehensive Model
Cardiac surgery requires cooperation across several specialties. A patient with coronary artery disease may also require diabetes management, renal assessment, respiratory evaluation, or neurological risk assessment. A patient with advanced heart failure may require cardiology, cardiac surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation, and transplantation specialists.
China’s multidisciplinary model is designed to integrate these services into one coordinated treatment pathway.
The process may include:
- Review of medical records and imaging
- Preliminary specialist assessment
- Hospital and cardiac team matching
- Additional examinations after arrival
- Multidisciplinary treatment planning
- Surgery or interventional treatment
- Cardiac intensive-care monitoring
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Discharge planning and medication guidance
- Remote follow-up after returning home
This model is particularly valuable for international patients who need support navigating an unfamiliar hospital system.
Key Partner Hospitals for Cardiac Care
1. Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital
Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital is an important public tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province with established cardiac and great-vessel surgery capabilities.
Public hospital profiles describe its cardiac and great-vessel surgery department as a regional center for critically ill patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Its clinical scope includes congenital heart disease, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, and major vascular conditions.
Key Areas of Care
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Heart valve repair and replacement
- Congenital heart disease surgery
- Complex aortic and great-vessel surgery
- Perioperative cardiac intensive care
- Long-term cardiovascular rehabilitation and follow-up
The hospital may be considered for patients requiring comprehensive adult cardiac and great-vessel surgical assessment.
2. Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital
Shulan Hospital is a Grade A tertiary general hospital with 57 clinical departments and 1,000 approved beds. The hospital’s materials state that it is licensed for liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplantation and has received JCI Sixth Edition accreditation.
Its cardiovascular services include coronary intervention, cardiac electrophysiology, congenital heart disease closure, advanced cardiovascular imaging, and ECMO-supported care for critically ill cardiovascular patients.
Key Advantages
- Licensed heart transplantation capability
- Cardiovascular intervention and imaging
- Congenital heart disease treatment
- ECMO-supported critical care
- Multidisciplinary medical services
- Dedicated support for international patients
The hospital’s International Health Care Center uses an appointment-based service model and offers dedicated outpatient areas, inpatient rooms, bilingual accompaniment, and support for international self-paying and commercial-insurance patients.
3. Tongji Hospital
Tongji Hospital, affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, has a dedicated cardiovascular surgery department and cardiac macrovascular research capabilities.
Its cardiovascular surgery team has developed advanced procedures for complex heart disease, including transapical beating-heart septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The hospital has also conducted cardiovascular surgery exchanges and joint training initiatives with specialists from Mayo Clinic.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Complex cardiac surgery
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy surgery
- Coronary and valve surgery
- Cardiac macrovascular surgery
- Minimally invasive cardiovascular techniques
- International clinical and academic collaboration
Hospital selection should always be based on the patient’s diagnosis, urgency, medical history, treatment objectives, and the hospital team’s formal assessment.
International Patient Support
Travelling abroad for heart surgery involves far more than booking a hospital appointment. International patients may need assistance with medical record preparation, translation, specialist communication, travel planning, hospital admission, local transportation, accommodation, and post-operative follow-up.
China Medical Services can coordinate:
Before Arrival
- Collection and organization of medical records
- Medical document translation
- Preliminary specialist review
- Hospital and expert matching
- Estimated treatment pathway and cost inquiry
- Visa and travel preparation support
During Treatment in China
- Airport and local transportation coordination
- Hospital registration and admission assistance
- Medical interpretation and appointment accompaniment
- Communication between the patient, family, and hospital
- Accommodation and daily-life support
- Coordination of rehabilitation arrangements
After Discharge
- Translation of discharge documents
- Medication and rehabilitation instruction coordination
- Follow-up appointment arrangements
- Remote communication with the treating hospital
- Support for returning to the patient’s home country
Our service focuses on coordination and logistical support. All medical examinations, diagnoses, procedures, prescriptions, and clinical decisions are provided by the licensed hospital and its medical professionals.
Conclusion: Connecting International Patients with Advanced Cardiac Care in China
Cardiac surgery in China combines experienced medical teams, comprehensive tertiary hospitals, advanced imaging, sophisticated surgical procedures, critical-care support, and increasingly internationalized patient services.
From coronary bypass and valve surgery to complex aortic reconstruction, congenital heart disease treatment, advanced heart-failure support, and heart transplantation assessment, Chinese cardiovascular centers provide a broad range of options for patients with serious and complex heart conditions.
Through cooperation with hospitals such as Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Shulan Hospital, and other leading cardiovascular institutions, China Medical Services helps international patients identify suitable medical resources and navigate the full treatment journey—from initial record review and hospital matching to admission, treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up.
Each patient’s condition is different. Treatment availability, surgical eligibility, expected outcomes, waiting times, and costs can only be determined after formal evaluation by the receiving hospital.
Suggested Call to Action
Request a Cardiac Surgery Assessment in China
Send us your medical records, cardiac imaging, diagnosis, previous treatment history, and current medication list. Our coordination team will organize the information and assist with submitting the case to an appropriate hospital or cardiovascular specialist for preliminary review.
Contact China Medical Services to begin your cardiac care consultation in China.