Professor Yao Yan: Complex Cardiac Arrhythmia Specialist
Professor Yao Yan is Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Chief of the First Arrhythmia Ward at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing. He is a chief physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor with extensive experience in electrophysiology and catheter ablation for complex rhythm disorders.
His principal areas include atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, unexplained syncope, sudden-death risk assessment, and recurrent arrhythmia after previous ablation.
International patients can learn more about the hospital, required cardiac records, and care planning in our Fuwai Hospital international patient guide.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Yao’s principal clinical areas include:
- atrial fibrillation and atrial tachyarrhythmias;
- ventricular tachycardia;
- premature ventricular contractions;
- Brugada syndrome;
- arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy;
- unexplained fainting and suspected cardiac syncope;
- sudden cardiac death risk assessment;
- complex or repeat catheter ablation; and
- second opinions on implanted defibrillators and rhythm treatment.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that can cause palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, dizziness, or no obvious symptoms. It can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.
Treatment may involve stroke prevention, heart-rate control, rhythm-control medication, electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation, and management of contributing conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, sleep apnea, thyroid disease, and alcohol use.
Catheter ablation commonly includes electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins. The expected benefit and risk depend on the type and duration of atrial fibrillation, left atrial size, heart function, age, previous procedures, and other medical conditions.
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a rapid rhythm arising from the lower chambers of the heart. It may cause palpitations, fainting, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, or worsening heart failure.
In patients with structural heart disease, abnormal tissue can create complex electrical circuits. Professor Yao is known for developing detailed substrate-mapping and ablation strategies, including an approach described as patch ablation for selected difficult ventricular tachycardia cases.
Management may combine medication, catheter ablation, treatment of underlying heart disease, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Ablation can reduce arrhythmia episodes but may not remove every risk of sudden death.
Brugada Syndrome
Brugada syndrome is an inherited electrical disorder associated with characteristic electrocardiogram changes and a risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. Some patients are discovered incidentally, while others present with fainting, nighttime abnormal breathing, ventricular fibrillation, or a family history of sudden death.
Professor Yao has developed substrate-mapping and ablation approaches for selected patients with Brugada syndrome. His team has also published clinical outcomes in high-risk patients who underwent ablation.
Treatment may include fever control, avoidance of certain medicines, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, catheter ablation, or a combination. Ablation should not be assumed to replace a defibrillator for every patient. Risk assessment must consider symptoms, documented arrhythmias, electrocardiogram pattern, family history, and specialist findings.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is an inherited heart-muscle disease that can cause ventricular arrhythmias, fainting, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Exercise may influence disease progression and arrhythmia risk.
Evaluation can involve electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, cardiac MRI, echocardiography, signal-averaged ECG, exercise testing, genetic testing, and family screening.
Management may include exercise restriction, medication, catheter ablation, an implanted defibrillator, heart-failure treatment, and long-term follow-up.
Unexplained Syncope
Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Common causes include reflex fainting, low blood pressure, heart-rhythm disorders, structural heart disease, and neurological conditions.
Professor Yao evaluates patients with suspected rhythm-related syncope and sudden-death risk. Testing may include electrocardiography, ambulatory monitoring, implantable loop recording, echocardiography, electrophysiology study, and other targeted assessment.
Fainting during exercise, while lying down, or with palpitations, chest pain, injury, or a family history of sudden death requires prompt medical evaluation.
Catheter Ablation
Catheter ablation uses thin tubes introduced through the blood vessels to record electrical activity and treat selected areas responsible for an arrhythmia. Three-dimensional mapping can help identify abnormal circuits while reducing unnecessary tissue injury.
Complex and repeat procedures may take longer and carry different risks than routine ablation. Potential complications include bleeding, blood-vessel injury, cardiac perforation, stroke, damage to the heart’s conduction system, pulmonary vein narrowing, or recurrence.
Research and Technical Contributions
Professor Yao’s representative work includes catheter-ablation strategies for Brugada syndrome and difficult ventricular tachycardia. His team published a 2024 study in Europace examining outcomes of ablation in selected high-risk Brugada syndrome patients.
Clinical studies can guide care but do not establish that one procedure is suitable for every patient. Treatment decisions require individualized electrophysiology review.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Yao or the Fuwai electrophysiology team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has persistent or recurrent atrial fibrillation;
- has ventricular tachycardia or frequent symptomatic ventricular ectopy;
- has Brugada syndrome or a suspected inherited arrhythmia;
- has arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy;
- has unexplained fainting or a family history of sudden death;
- has recurrent arrhythmia after previous ablation;
- needs a second opinion on an implanted defibrillator; or
- requires review of a complex electrophysiology study.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and timeline of symptoms;
- 12-lead ECGs, especially those recorded during symptoms;
- Holter, event monitor, wearable, or loop-recorder tracings;
- echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI images and reports;
- previous electrophysiology, three-dimensional mapping, and ablation records;
- defibrillator or pacemaker implantation and interrogation reports;
- coronary angiography and heart-failure assessments when relevant;
- genetic testing and family history of fainting or sudden death;
- a complete medication history, including ineffective or poorly tolerated drugs; and
- a clear list of questions about ablation, devices, and expected recurrence risk.
Planning an International Consultation
Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sustained rapid rhythm with weakness, fainting, or cardiac arrest symptoms require immediate local emergency care. Stable patients seeking a second opinion should confirm whether records can be reviewed and whether an in-person electrophysiology consultation is required.
Remote medical-record review is subject to physician authorization. Final procedure suitability, implanted-device recommendations, expected hospital stay, and cost require complete assessment 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 Yao, remote review, catheter ablation, or a specific device 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, procedure 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 electrophysiologist.
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