Cardiac Surgery at Ruijin Hospital Shanghai | CMCS

Expert Heart Surgery at One of China's Premier Academic Medical Centers

The Department of Cardiac Surgery at Ruijin Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — is one of China's most distinguished centers for the surgical management of heart disease. With expertise spanning coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and structural heart disease interventions, the department offers comprehensive surgical care for patients with conditions ranging from coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease to complex congenital heart defects and aortic aneurysms.

For international patients seeking expert cardiac surgical care in Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital's department offers a combination of high surgical volume, advanced minimally invasive capability, and a fully integrated heart disease program that is among the finest in China. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless end-to-end coordination for international patients throughout their surgical journey.

About the Department

Ruijin Hospital's cardiac surgery department is a national key clinical specialty performing hundreds of open heart procedures annually. The department operates dedicated cardiac surgical theaters, a cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), a hybrid operating room for combined surgical and interventional procedures, and works in close collaboration with cardiology, interventional cardiology, and vascular surgery through a dedicated heart team MDT.

The heart team MDT meets regularly to review all complex cardiac cases, ensuring that every patient receives a personalized treatment plan that considers the full range of surgical, interventional, and hybrid options. This collaborative approach is particularly important for structural heart disease — where the choice between surgical valve repair/replacement and transcatheter approaches (TAVR, MitraClip, TEER) requires careful multidisciplinary deliberation. Faculty members publish regularly in leading cardiac surgery and cardiology journals including Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), European Heart Journal, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Conditions Treated

• Coronary Artery Disease — Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); off-pump CABG; total arterial revascularization; hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR)
• Aortic Valve Disease — Aortic valve repair and replacement (mechanical, bioprosthetic, Ross procedure); TAVR for high and intermediate surgical risk patients
• Mitral Valve Disease — Mitral valve repair (preferred) and replacement; minimally invasive mitral surgery; transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER/MitraClip) for high-risk patients
• Tricuspid Valve Disease — Tricuspid valve repair and replacement; transcatheter tricuspid interventions
• Multi-Valve Disease — Combined valve procedures; valve surgery with concomitant CABG or atrial fibrillation ablation
• Aortic Aneurysm & Dissection — Ascending aorta and aortic root replacement; aortic arch surgery with circulatory arrest; type A aortic dissection emergency surgery; endovascular repair (TEVAR) for descending aorta
• Atrial Fibrillation — Surgical ablation (Cox-Maze IV) concomitant with valve or CABG surgery; standalone minimally invasive AF ablation; left atrial appendage closure
• Congenital Heart Disease (Adult) — ASD, VSD, PDA, and complex congenital lesions in adult patients
• Cardiac Tumors — Atrial myxoma and other primary cardiac tumors
• Heart Failure Surgery — Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation; surgical ventricular reconstruction; heart transplantation evaluation and coordination
• Pericardial Disease — Pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis
• Redo Cardiac Surgery — Reoperative valve surgery and CABG in patients with prior cardiac procedures

Leading Specialist

Prof. Zhao Qiang (赵强) — Director, Cardiac Surgery

Prof. Zhao Qiang is one of China's most distinguished cardiac surgeons and a nationally recognized authority in coronary artery surgery, valve surgery, aortic surgery, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. As Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Ruijin Hospital, he leads one of China's most active and technically advanced cardiac surgical programs.

Prof. Zhao is particularly recognized for his expertise in coronary artery bypass grafting — including off-pump CABG and total arterial revascularization strategies — and in complex valve surgery, particularly mitral valve repair. His program has been at the forefront of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in China, performing minimally invasive mitral valve repair, aortic valve replacement, and atrial septal defect closure through small incisions with outcomes comparable to conventional sternotomy.

In aortic surgery, Prof. Zhao has extensive experience in complex aortic root and arch procedures, including emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection — one of the most time-critical and technically demanding operations in cardiac surgery. His research on coronary surgery outcomes, valve repair techniques, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been published in leading journals including Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, and European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.

Surgical Approaches & Technology

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

• Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery — Right mini-thoracotomy approach for mitral valve repair and replacement; video-assisted and robotic-assisted techniques
• Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery — Upper mini-sternotomy or right mini-thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement
• Minimally Invasive ASD Closure — Right mini-thoracotomy for surgical ASD closure as an alternative to transcatheter device closure
• Robotic Cardiac Surgery — da Vinci robotic mitral valve repair and CABG for selected patients
• Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Cardiac Surgery — For atrial myxoma, pericardial procedures, and selected valve operations

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

• On-Pump CABG — Conventional CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass for complex multi-vessel disease
• Off-Pump CABG (OPCAB) — Beating heart surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass, reducing stroke and renal complications
• Total Arterial Revascularization — Bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) grafting for superior long-term patency
• Hybrid Coronary Revascularization (HCR) — Minimally invasive LIMA-to-LAD grafting combined with PCI for non-LAD vessels

Aortic Surgery

• Aortic Root Replacement — Bentall procedure, valve-sparing root replacement (David and Yacoub procedures) for aortic root aneurysm
• Ascending Aorta Replacement — For ascending aortic aneurysm with or without valve involvement
• Aortic Arch Surgery — Total arch replacement with elephant trunk technique under circulatory arrest and cerebral perfusion
• Acute Type A Aortic Dissection — Emergency surgical repair; 24/7 emergency cardiac surgery capability
• Hybrid Aortic Arch Repair — Combined surgical debranching and endovascular stent grafting for complex arch disease

Heart Team MDT

Ruijin's heart team MDT brings together cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, imaging cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and heart failure specialists to review complex cases and develop individualized treatment plans. The MDT is particularly important for:

• Structural Heart Disease — Deciding between surgical and transcatheter approaches for valve disease (TAVR vs. SAVR, TEER vs. surgical mitral repair)
• Complex Coronary Disease — CABG vs. PCI vs. hybrid revascularization for multi-vessel and left main disease
• High-Risk Surgical Patients — Risk stratification and treatment planning for elderly or comorbid patients
• Redo Cardiac Surgery — Planning reoperative procedures with careful assessment of risks and alternatives

Why International Patients Choose Ruijin Cardiac Surgery

• Surgical Excellence — High-volume cardiac surgery program with outcomes benchmarked against international standards
• Minimally Invasive Leadership — One of China's most experienced minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery programs
• Aortic Surgery Expertise — Complex aortic root, arch, and dissection surgery including emergency type A dissection repair
• Heart Team MDT — Collaborative decision-making ensuring the right treatment for each patient
• 24/7 Emergency Capability — Round-the-clock cardiac surgical emergency coverage for acute aortic dissection and other cardiac emergencies
• Cost-Effectiveness — World-class cardiac surgery at significantly lower cost than equivalent care in Western countries

The CMCS Patient Journey

1. Initial Inquiry — Share your cardiac history, echocardiography reports, coronary angiography results, CT scans, and current medications with CMCS.
2. Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
3. Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate cardiac surgeon based on your specific condition.
4. Heart Team Review — Where appropriate, we facilitate pre-arrival case review by Ruijin's heart team MDT.
5. Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation and surgical slot with minimal waiting time.
6. Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Ruijin Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
7. Surgical Admission Support — Full coordination of pre-operative cardiac assessment, anesthesia consultation, admission, and CICU care.
8. Post-Operative Follow-Up — Discharge summary translation, cardiac rehabilitation coordination, and remote follow-up after you return home.

Book a Consultation

If you are seeking expert cardiac surgical care in Shanghai — whether for coronary bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, aortic surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery, or a complex structural heart condition — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Ruijin Hospital's cardiac surgery team.

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