Fuwai Hospital: Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment and International Patient Guide

Fuwai Hospital: Cardiac Arrhythmia Treatment and International Patient Guide

Fuwai Hospital: A Guide for International Patients

Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College is a specialist cardiovascular hospital in Beijing. It provides care across cardiology, cardiac surgery, vascular disease, cardiac imaging, intensive care, and rehabilitation, with extensive experience in complex heart conditions.

For international patients with difficult or recurrent heart rhythm disorders, Fuwai Hospital may be especially relevant when a case requires advanced electrophysiology assessment, catheter ablation, review of an implanted device strategy, or a second opinion after previous treatment.

Key Area: Cardiac Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology

Cardiac arrhythmias occur when the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Some rhythm disturbances cause only mild symptoms, while others can lead to fainting, heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.

The hospital’s arrhythmia specialists evaluate and treat conditions including:

  • atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter;
  • atrial tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia;
  • premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardia;
  • arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy-related arrhythmia;
  • Brugada syndrome and other inherited electrical disorders;
  • unexplained fainting and suspected rhythm-related syncope;
  • arrhythmias associated with structural heart disease; and
  • recurrent arrhythmia after previous catheter ablation.

Professor Yao Yan

Professor Yao Yan is Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Chief of its First Arrhythmia Ward at Fuwai Hospital. He is a chief physician, professor, and doctoral supervisor with extensive experience in the diagnosis and catheter ablation of complex rhythm disorders.

His principal clinical areas include atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, unexplained syncope, and assessment of sudden-death risk. He is particularly known for developing ablation strategies for difficult arrhythmia substrates.

Complex Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation uses thin tubes introduced through the blood vessels to map abnormal electrical activity inside the heart. Radiofrequency energy or another energy source is then used to treat selected tissue responsible for the rhythm disturbance.

Professor Yao’s work includes substrate mapping and ablation for Brugada syndrome and a strategy sometimes described as patch ablation for ventricular tachycardia associated with structural heart disease. These approaches are intended for carefully selected patients after detailed electrophysiological review.

Brugada Syndrome Research

Brugada syndrome is an inherited electrical disorder that can increase the risk of dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Management may involve risk assessment, avoidance of triggering medicines, fever control, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, catheter ablation, or a combination of approaches.

Professor Yao and colleagues have published clinical research on catheter ablation in selected high-risk Brugada syndrome patients. Such findings do not mean ablation replaces an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for every patient. Treatment must be individualized according to symptoms, electrocardiogram findings, documented arrhythmias, family history, and specialist assessment.

Who May Benefit from a Specialist Review?

An evaluation at Fuwai Hospital may be considered when a patient:

  • has persistent or recurrent atrial fibrillation despite medication;
  • has experienced arrhythmia again after a previous ablation;
  • has ventricular tachycardia or frequent symptomatic ventricular arrhythmia;
  • has Brugada syndrome or another suspected inherited rhythm disorder;
  • has unexplained fainting, palpitations, or a family history of sudden cardiac death;
  • needs a second opinion about ablation, medication, or an implanted cardiac device;
  • has arrhythmia associated with cardiomyopathy or other structural heart disease; or
  • requires review of complex electrophysiology records.

Warning Signs Requiring Urgent Care

Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, sustained rapid heartbeat with weakness, signs of stroke, or cardiac arrest symptoms require immediate local emergency care. Patients should not delay treatment while arranging an overseas consultation.

A rhythm disorder may be intermittent, so patients should preserve any electrocardiogram, wearable-device tracing, or emergency record captured during symptoms.

Medical Records to Prepare

International patients requesting an arrhythmia review should prepare:

  • a concise medical history and timeline of symptoms;
  • 12-lead electrocardiograms, especially recordings taken during an episode;
  • Holter, event monitor, or wearable-device reports and original tracings;
  • echocardiography, cardiac CT, or cardiac MRI images and reports;
  • previous electrophysiology study and ablation reports;
  • three-dimensional mapping records when available;
  • implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker details and interrogation reports;
  • coronary angiography and other relevant cardiac test results;
  • a complete medication list, including drugs previously stopped because they were ineffective or caused side effects; and
  • family history of fainting, inherited heart disease, or sudden death.

For a patient with Brugada syndrome or suspected inherited arrhythmia, include genetic testing results if available. Genetic results should be interpreted together with clinical findings and should not be used alone to confirm treatment eligibility.

Planning Care in Beijing

Before traveling, patients should confirm whether their case can be reviewed, whether additional testing is needed, and whether an in-person electrophysiology consultation is required. If a procedure is being considered, the medical team may need to assess anesthesia risk, anticoagulation, heart structure, kidney function, and other conditions.

Remote record review is subject to physician authorization and may help determine the next step, but it cannot replace emergency care or a complete examination. Procedure suitability, appointment timing, expected hospital stay, and cost can only be confirmed after review 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 cardiac records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging medical interpretation, and planning travel for care in China.

Access to a particular doctor, remote review, electrophysiology procedure, or treatment is subject to the hospital’s and physician’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.

For assistance, contact CMCS:

Important Note

Doctor titles, clinical roles, research findings, technologies, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information with the hospital before travel. This article is based on publicly available hospital profiles and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified physician.

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