Executive Clinical Snapshot
Prof. Mao Chen, MD, PhD, FACC, FESC, is the Director of the Department of Cardiology and the Leader of the Structural Heart Disease Program at West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Recognized globally as an elite authority in interventional cardiology, Prof. Chen has been instrumental in redefining the indications, procedural protocols, and safety profiles of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR / TAVI). His pioneering work is particularly distinguished in the treatment of anatomically challenging cohorts—including bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis, severe calcification, low coronary ostia, and pure non-calcified aortic regurgitation—providing life-saving, catheter-based alternatives for elderly or high-risk surgical patients worldwide.
Academic Leadership & International Standing
- Director, Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.
- Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and European Society of Cardiology (FESC).
- Vice Chairman, Chinese Society of Cardiology (CSC) & Head of the Structural Heart Disease Group.
- Member of the International Advisory Board & Faculty, EuroPCR, PCR London Valves, and AsiaPCR.
- Co-Chair & Lead Investigator for pivotal global and multi-center clinical trials evaluating next-generation self-expanding and balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves.
- Lead Author of national and international expert consensus statements on procedural standardization of TAVR in bicuspid aortic valves.
Clinical Breakthroughs: Mastering Complex TAVR Anatomy
While TAVR was originally conceptualized for straightforward, tricuspid calcified aortic stenosis in elderly patients, Asia and other global populations feature a high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) phenotypes and non-calcified regurgitation, which pose extreme risks of paravalvular leak, coronary occlusion, annular rupture, and valve dislodgement.
Key Innovations Spearheaded by Prof. Mao Chen:
- Sizing & Anchoring Algorithms for Bicuspid Valves: Established landmark supra-annular and virtual-annulus CT sizing frameworks that optimize valve deployment and radial force balance in asymmetric bicuspid anatomy, slashing significant paravalvular leaks and stroke rates.
- Catheter Strategies for Pure Aortic Regurgitation: Developed specialized deployment techniques using anchored dual-clip and oversized self-expanding stents to treat pure aortic insufficiency where minimal calcification is present for traditional stent anchoring.
- Advanced Coronary Protection Protocols: Formulated catheter-directed chimney stenting and preemptive coronary wire protection techniques for patients presenting with hyper-shallow sinus of Valsalva and low coronary takeoffs.
- Sedation & Minimalist TAVR Protocols: Streamlined procedures performed entirely under local anesthesia and conscious sedation via true percutaneous femoral access, enabling patients to ambulate within 12 to 24 hours post-procedure.
Comprehensive Structural Heart Clinical Scope
- Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR / TAVI): Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (tricuspid and bicuspid variants), failed surgical bioprosthetic valves (Valve-in-Valve TAVR), and off-label high-risk pure aortic regurgitation.
- Transcatheter Mitral Valve Interventions: Edge-to-edge transcatheter mitral valve repair (TEER / MitraClip), transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), and valve-in-ring interventions for severe mitral regurgitation.
- Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies: Advanced transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) and replacement for severe secondary and functional tricuspid insufficiency.
- Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC): Percutaneous occluder implantation (Watchman, ACP/Amulet) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients unable to tolerate long-term anticoagulation.
- Adult Congenital Heart Interventions: Percutaneous closure of complex atrial septal defects (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), ventricular septal defects (VSD), and paravalvular leak closures.
Benchmark Clinical Scenarios
Scenario A: Type-0 Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis with Heavy Calcification in an Octogenarian
An 82-year-old male presented with NYHA Class IV heart failure, critical aortic stenosis (mean gradient 68 mmHg, valve area 0.52 cm²), and an anatomically challenging Type-0 bicuspid aortic valve with massive asymmetric calcium nodule protruding toward the left main coronary ostium. Deemed prohibitive surgical risk (STS score 14.8%). Prof. Chen’s team conducted a pre-procedural multi-phase 4D-CT simulation, placed a prophylactic coronary protection guide, and precisely deployed a self-expanding prosthesis under local sedation. Post-deployment gradients dropped to 7 mmHg with zero paravalvular leak and preserved coronary perfusion. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3.
Scenario B: Valve-in-Valve TAVR for Degenerated Surgical Bioprosthesis
A 76-year-old female with prior surgical aortic valve replacement 11 years prior presented with severe bioprosthetic stenosis and recurrent pulmonary edema. Facing high re-operative sternotomy risk, Prof. Chen executed a transfemoral Valve-in-Valve TAVR using an expandable transcatheter frame with bioprosthetic valve fracture to maximize effective orifice area, resulting in immediate symptomatic relief and discharge within 48 hours.
Scientific Impact & Global Collaborations
Prof. Chen has authored more than 150 papers in world-class medical journals including Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, European Heart Journal, and EuroIntervention. He serves as an international proctor and principal instructor for structural heart interventions, having proctored and trained hundreds of cardiologists across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. His clinical registry on bicuspid TAVR remains one of the largest and most widely cited evidentiary datasets globally.
International Patient Access via CMCS
Global patients diagnosed with severe valvular heart disease, failed bioprosthetic valves, or complex structural cardiac conditions can access Prof. Mao Chen's dedicated clinical team at West China Hospital through China Medical Concierge – Shanghai (CMCS):
- Multimodality Imaging & TAVR Feasibility Analysis: Comprehensive pre-travel review of contrast-enhanced gated cardiac CT scans, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for precise annular, vascular, and coronary risk profiling.
- Virtual Multidisciplinary Heart Team Consultation: Structured pre-admission evaluation involving interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and cardiovascular imagers.
- Expedited Inpatient Booking & Hybrid Cath Lab Scheduling: Fast-track admission to West China Hospital’s state-of-the-art hybrid operating suites.
- End-to-End Clinical Case Management: Full bilingual medical oversight, daily bedside clinical updates, and tailored cardiac rehabilitation planning.
- Long-Term Valvular Surveillance & Cross-Border Follow-up: Digital transmission of post-procedure echocardiographic assessments to home-country cardiology teams.
Connect with CMCS Medical Concierge
For confidential clinical inquiries, cardiac imaging evaluations, or to schedule a consultation with Prof. Mao Chen:
Email: contract@medicalsh.com
WhatsApp: Connect on WhatsApp
Official Website: www.medicalsh.com
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