Hospital in Longwan performs successful heart surgery for elderly patient

Surgeons perform a surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. [Photo/tmuyun.com]

A surgical team at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University recently performed a successful minimally invasive heart surgery for an elderly man surnamed Shi with a severe heart valve disease.

Shi was experiencing worsening symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath. After assessing his condition, Wu Lianpin, a professor from the valve center at the hospital, led a multidisciplinary team to discuss treatment options. Wu and his team ultimately decided to perform a minimally invasive mitral valve replacement surgery using a transcatheter approach.

Zhang Xinmin, deputy director of the cardiology department, explained that the patient was at high risk of cardiac arrest. In the past, treating such critically ill patients either involved high-risk open-heart surgery or conservative medical management. However, the transcatheter mitral valve replacement surgery offered by the hospital provides a new treatment option.

The surgical team meticulously planned the procedure by simulating the patient's three-dimensional heart structure, designing the optimal catheter route, and repeatedly practicing the surgical process.

Immediately after the surgery, Shi's symptoms improved significantly. While his vital signs returned to normal, another successful transcatheter mitral valve replacement surgery was completed.

Since 2019, the interventional cardiology team at the hospital in Longwan district, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province has achieved remarkable results in the field of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Zhang, the deputy director, also mentioned future plans, including continued cooperation with cardiovascular centers in Europe and the United States and exploration of new treatment methods and strategies.

Doctors check Shi's conditions at his bed. [Photo/tmuyun.com]