Cooperating with the Heart: Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Visits Brazil to Promote BRICS Scientific Exchange

Por Zheng Jing and Xu Liangyou

From April 15 to 17, a team led by Director Wang Yan of Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University (HCXM) was invited to Brazil for an exchange in the area of ​​cardiovascular surgery. They visited renowned Brazilian hospitals, such as Hospital de Messejana in Fortaleza, Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia in São Paulo, and Instituto do Coração da Universidade de São Paulo (InCor), engaging in extensive dialogue with managers and specialists from these hospitals.

They guided interventional cardiology surgeries, promoted innovative medical devices and original Chinese cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment technologies, strengthened Sino-Brazilian exchanges in the cardiovascular field, and deepened health cooperation among BRICS countries.

Innovative devices – On the afternoon of April 15, at Messejana Hospital, Director Wang Yan and Professor Wang Bin, together with Dr. Breno Falcão, performed a successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the Chinese VenusA-Pro valve intervention device in an elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis and high coronary risk. [transcatheteraorticvalvereplacementTAVR)usandoodispositivochinêsdeintervençãovalvarVenusA-Proemumpacienteidosocomestenoseaórticaseveraealtoriscocoronariano

This marked the first deployment of a Chinese-made valve intervention device in the Brazilian public healthcare system. The VenusA-Pro, a new-generation reusable system, provides enhanced clinical experience and optimal patient outcomes. The successful operation also demonstrated the expertise of Chinese specialists and the excellent performance of Chinese-made valves. The guidance provided on the deployment of Chinese valve intervention devices in Brazilian hospitals will enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of heart disease intervention treatment, benefiting more Brazilian patients with heart valve diseases through Chinese solutions and technologies.

Chinese technological solutions – With the strong support of LIDE China, Director Wang Yan and his team visited several hospitals in São Paulo, a renowned cardiac center. On the morning of April 17, Wang Yan and his team visited the Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, one of the leading cardiac specialty hospitals in Brazil. The hospital performed the first coronary stent implantation in Brazil and was featured in the Newsweek 2023 global ranking of Best Specialty Hospitals (Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery).

There, they guided physicians in using the original Chinese μFR system for accurate physiological analysis of coronary arteries during complex coronary stent implantation. The μFR system, an original Chinese innovation based on coronary angiography for FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) and PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) planning, helps physicians with virtual simulation and automatic analysis of stents, optimizing PCI treatment outcomes. This system has been clinically adopted in several leading Brazilian medical institutions, marking the international reach of original Chinese medical technology.

The team then visited InCor, the largest cardiology center in Brazil and a world-renowned cardiovascular medical center. The team visited the ICU, the intervention center, the biomedical engineering laboratory and the telemedicine center, sharing experiences and insights on cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment with Brazilian experts.

After learning about HCXM’s vast experience in the diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiovascular diseases, Brazilian experts expressed admiration and interest in strengthening the sharing of clinical experiences, exchange of complex cases and live surgical broadcasts.

International initiatives – During exchanges with Brazilian hospitals, Director Wang Yan presented the Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program, an international training program for cardiovascular specialists from BRICS and Belt and Road Initiative countries.

The program recruits 15 to 20 young cardiologists each year to HCXM for a period of six months to a year of specialized cardiovascular training. Launched in April 2023 by the UN Office for the Promotion of Global Development at the United Nations Headquarters, the program has already trained 11 participants from Brazil, India, El Salvador, Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries.

Messejana Hospital sent a physician to participate in this program, who arrived at HCXM in March this year for a six-month training focused primarily on intervention techniques for structural heart disease and familiarization with Chinese valve intervention devices. The Cardiovascular Graft Program aims to address the global shortage of cardiovascular specialists and improve global cardiovascular diagnostic and treatment capacity by training the most talented professionals.

Promoting the sector in BRICS – Leveraging the opportunity to strengthen the new innovation base of the BRICS Industrial Revolution Partnership in Xiamen, HCXM initiated the establishment of the BRICS Cardiovascular Health Innovation Center in September 2022. This center serves as a platform for cardiovascular health exchange and cooperation among BRICS nations, hosting various academic exchange events. In May 2023, the China (Xiamen)-Brazil Heart Valve Intervention Seminar was successfully held, with multiple complex intervention surgeries live-streamed online using valve intervention devices produced in China and promoting in-depth academic exchange with Brazilian hospitals. This laid the foundation for this visit.

In addition, HCXM has established a collaborative innovation base in the cardiovascular healthcare industry, attracting more than ten innovative companies. This has given rise to a cardiovascular healthcare technology innovation consortium led by the hospital to enhance the integration of medical services, education, research and industry, relying on the BRICS Cardiovascular Healthcare Innovation Center to build an internationally-reaching platform for the cardiovascular healthcare industry.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, a significant milestone to continue the legacy and open new chapters in bilateral relations. Within the framework of BRICS cooperation, the two countries will continue to deepen medical and health cooperation. Invited to visit Brazil for surgical guidance and academic exchanges, Wang Yan’s team is willing to continue promoting mutual learning and advancement in the cardiovascular field, enhance academic exchanges, boost industrial cooperation, and jointly contribute to the development of cardiovascular health in BRICS countries, with the aim of building a global community of health for all.