Professor Ma Changsheng: Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Expert in Beijing

Professor Ma Changsheng: Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiac Electrophysiology Expert in Beijing

Professor Ma Changsheng: Atrial Fibrillation and Complex Arrhythmia Specialist

Professor Ma Changsheng is a senior cardiologist, professor, doctoral supervisor, and director of the Cardiology Center at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University. He is a leading specialist in atrial fibrillation, complex cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation, cardiovascular intervention, and large-scale clinical research.

Professor Ma completed one of China’s earliest catheter-ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation and has led influential research into treatment strategies for persistent atrial fibrillation.

International patients can learn more about the hospital, cardiovascular services, and consultation preparation in our Beijing Anzhen Hospital international patient guide.

Clinical and Academic Focus

  • paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation;
  • atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia;
  • supraventricular tachycardia;
  • ventricular tachycardia;
  • catheter ablation and repeat ablation;
  • stroke prevention and anticoagulation;
  • left atrial appendage management;
  • complex arrhythmia mapping; and
  • second opinions after recurrent arrhythmia.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that can cause palpitations, breathlessness, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, dizziness, or no obvious symptoms. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and hospitalization.

Assessment commonly includes an electrocardiogram, ambulatory rhythm monitoring, echocardiography, blood tests, and review of blood pressure, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, weight, alcohol use, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Treatment should address stroke prevention, heart-rate control, rhythm control, symptoms, and modifiable risk factors. The best strategy depends on age, symptom burden, duration of atrial fibrillation, heart structure, previous treatment, and patient preference.

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation uses energy delivered through thin catheters to modify heart tissue responsible for an abnormal rhythm. Pulmonary vein isolation is the foundation of most atrial-fibrillation ablation procedures.

Ablation may improve symptoms and reduce arrhythmia recurrence, but it does not guarantee a permanent cure. Some patients require repeat treatment, continued medication, or long-term rhythm monitoring.

Potential risks include bleeding, vascular injury, cardiac tamponade, stroke, pulmonary-vein narrowing, injury to nearby structures, and rare life-threatening complications. Individual risk should be discussed before treatment.

Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and the Modified 2C3L Strategy

Persistent atrial fibrillation can be more difficult to treat than episodes that stop spontaneously. Pulmonary vein isolation alone may be insufficient for some patients, but adding extensive ablation indiscriminately can also create new atrial tachycardias.

Professor Ma’s team developed and studied structured approaches commonly described as 2C3L and modified 2C3L. The modified strategy combines pulmonary-vein isolation with selected linear ablation and ethanol treatment of the vein of Marshall.

The PROMPT-AF randomized clinical trial, published in JAMA in 2024, evaluated this optimized strategy against pulmonary-vein isolation alone for persistent atrial fibrillation. Whether it is suitable for an individual patient depends on anatomy, prior procedures, operator assessment, and current evidence.

Repeat Ablation and Recurrent Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia can recur because electrical conduction returns, additional triggers remain active, atrial disease progresses, or a new organized atrial tachycardia develops.

Before repeat ablation, the team should review the first procedure, rhythm recordings, symptom-rhythm correlation, heart imaging, medication response, and contributing conditions such as obesity, hypertension, alcohol use, or sleep apnea.

Stroke Prevention

Stroke risk is assessed separately from symptom severity. A patient who feels well may still require anticoagulation. The decision considers age, previous stroke, heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, bleeding risk, kidney function, and other factors.

Successful ablation does not automatically mean anticoagulation can be stopped. Any change should be made only after specialist review.

Who May Consider a Consultation?

  • patients with symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation;
  • patients whose arrhythmia continues despite medication;
  • patients considering first-time or repeat catheter ablation;
  • patients with recurrent atrial tachycardia after ablation;
  • patients with complex supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias;
  • patients needing review of anticoagulation or stroke prevention;
  • patients with conflicting recommendations about ablation strategy; or
  • patients seeking an expert second opinion before an invasive procedure.

Medical Records to Prepare

  • a concise medical summary and symptom timeline;
  • 12-lead electrocardiograms documenting the arrhythmia;
  • Holter, event-monitor, smartwatch, or implanted-monitor reports;
  • echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI when available;
  • reports from previous electrophysiology studies or ablations;
  • details of antiarrhythmic medicines, response, and side effects;
  • anticoagulation history and any bleeding events;
  • coronary, thyroid, kidney, sleep-apnea, and blood-pressure assessments;
  • device records for pacemakers or defibrillators; and
  • a clear list of questions about treatment options and risks.

Planning an International Consultation

Patients with chest pain, fainting, stroke symptoms, severe breathlessness, or a sustained rapid rhythm with instability require immediate local emergency care. International travel must not delay urgent treatment.

Stable patients should confirm whether rhythm records and imaging can be reviewed and whether an in-person electrophysiology assessment is required. Remote review is subject to physician authorization. Final procedure eligibility, technique, hospital stay, and cost require complete evaluation by the treating team.

How CMCS Can Assist

CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating cardiac records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging interpretation, and planning medical travel in China.

Access to Professor Ma, remote review, catheter ablation, or any specific technique is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, procedure eligibility, or clinical outcomes.

Important Note

Doctor titles, clinical roles, procedure availability, and appointment arrangements may change. This profile is based on the supplied verified research document and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified cardiac electrophysiology team.

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