Professor Wang Yongjun: Ischemic Stroke and Secondary Prevention Specialist
Professor Wang Yongjun is President of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, a senior neurologist, professor, doctoral supervisor, and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is a leading clinical investigator in ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, secondary prevention, clinical epidemiology, and large-scale neurological trials.
His work focuses on reducing recurrent stroke and disability through standardized acute care, personalized antiplatelet treatment, risk-factor management, and evidence-based clinical pathways.
For an overview of the hospital, see our Beijing Tiantan Hospital international patient guide. Patients researching cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebrovascular surgery can also read our profile of Professor Zhao Jizong.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Wang’s principal areas include:
- acute ischemic stroke;
- minor stroke and transient ischemic attack;
- secondary prevention of recurrent stroke;
- antiplatelet treatment strategies;
- genotype-informed stroke treatment;
- clinical epidemiology and stroke risk assessment;
- standardized stroke care and quality improvement; and
- second opinions after recurrent stroke despite treatment.
Acute Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked. Symptoms can include sudden facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss, imbalance, confusion, or numbness.
Emergency treatments may include intravenous thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, or another approach, depending on the time of onset, imaging, vessel location, bleeding risk, and overall condition.
Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive. A patient with new symptoms should call local emergency services and go to the nearest stroke-capable hospital immediately. International travel must never delay acute treatment.
Minor Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
A minor stroke can produce relatively mild symptoms but still carries a meaningful risk of early recurrence. A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, causes temporary neurological symptoms without lasting injury visible by traditional definitions, but it should be treated as an urgent warning.
Rapid evaluation aims to identify the cause and begin appropriate prevention. Testing may include brain imaging, blood-vessel imaging, heart rhythm monitoring, echocardiography, blood tests, and assessment of vascular risk factors.
The CHANCE Study
Professor Wang led the CHANCE randomized trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2013. It evaluated clopidogrel plus aspirin in Chinese patients with acute minor ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA who were treated early after symptom onset.
The study helped establish evidence for short-term dual antiplatelet treatment in appropriately selected patients. This does not mean two antiplatelet medicines are suitable for everyone. Treatment depends on timing, stroke mechanism, bleeding risk, imaging, previous medication, and other health conditions.
Patients should not start, stop, or extend aspirin and clopidogrel treatment without medical supervision.
The CHANCE-2 Study and CYP2C19 Genetics
Some patients carry CYP2C19 genetic variants that reduce activation of clopidogrel. Professor Wang led the CHANCE-2 trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2021, comparing ticagrelor with clopidogrel in selected patients with minor stroke or TIA who carried loss-of-function variants.
This research advanced personalized antiplatelet treatment, but genetic testing is only one part of decision-making. Kidney function, bleeding risk, heart rhythm, drug interactions, stroke cause, and medication access also matter.
Preventing Recurrent Stroke
Secondary prevention should address the underlying mechanism rather than applying the same plan to every patient. Causes may include large-artery atherosclerosis, small-vessel disease, atrial fibrillation, heart or aortic disease, arterial dissection, inflammatory disease, or a less common condition.
Depending on the cause, prevention may include antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy, cholesterol lowering, blood-pressure control, diabetes management, smoking cessation, physical activity, treatment of sleep apnea, weight management, or a vascular procedure.
A recurrent stroke despite treatment does not always mean the medicine failed. The original mechanism may have been incorrect, adherence may be incomplete, drug response may differ, or another source of embolism may be present.
Late-Window and Combined Reperfusion Research
Professor Wang’s team has continued to investigate treatment strategies for patients arriving beyond traditional time windows, including the relationship between thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, and neuroprotective approaches.
Research into later treatment windows relies heavily on advanced imaging and strict eligibility criteria. Published studies should not be interpreted as permission to wait before seeking care. Earlier emergency evaluation generally preserves more treatment options.
Research and Academic Contributions
Professor Wang’s landmark work includes the CHANCE and CHANCE-2 trials and broader programs designed to improve stroke quality, reduce recurrence, and personalize antiplatelet therapy.
He has received national recognition for contributions to stroke research and care. Academic honors and trial leadership do not determine whether a specific treatment is appropriate for an individual patient.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Wang or the Beijing Tiantan stroke team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has experienced a recent minor stroke or TIA;
- has recurrent ischemic stroke despite treatment;
- needs clarification of stroke mechanism;
- has complex narrowing of brain or neck arteries;
- needs a second opinion on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy;
- has CYP2C19 genetic results requiring clinical interpretation;
- has several competing causes of stroke; or
- needs a comprehensive secondary-prevention plan.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and exact timeline of each neurological event;
- original brain CT, MRI, diffusion imaging, CTA, MRA, and perfusion studies;
- carotid, vertebral, and intracranial vascular imaging;
- hospital, emergency, neurology, and rehabilitation records;
- electrocardiograms, Holter or prolonged rhythm-monitoring results;
- echocardiography and other cardiac investigations;
- blood-pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and coagulation results;
- CYP2C19 or other genetic test reports when available;
- a complete medication timeline, including antiplatelets, anticoagulants, and statins; and
- a clear list of questions about stroke cause and recurrence prevention.
For every event, record the exact onset time, symptoms, treatment given, response, and any bleeding complication.
Planning an International Consultation
Patients with new or worsening symptoms require immediate local emergency care. For a stable second-opinion case, confirm whether records and imaging can be reviewed and whether an in-person neurological examination is required.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. It may help clarify the next step, but medication changes and final prevention plans require complete clinical assessment.
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 stroke records and imaging, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging interpretation, and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Wang, remote review, genetic-guided treatment, or any particular therapy is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research findings, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified neurologist.
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