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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
Published on: February 11, 2022
[Cardiac surgery in China in 2010]
1daniel.loisance@wanadoo.fr
Insights
Cardiac surgery in China is rapidly advancing but faces challenges meeting demand due to prevalent cardiovascular disease risk factors and congenital heart conditions. Despite concentrated high-volume centers, growth is expanding nationwide, with improving access and a developing biomedical industry.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Public Health
- Healthcare Systems
Context:
- Cardiac surgery in China has seen rapid development over 30 years.
- High prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking) and congenital cardiopathies drives demand.
- Despite ~600 centers, operations are concentrated in <10 high-volume facilities, primarily in eastern cities.
Purpose:
- To analyze the current state and developmental trajectory of cardiac surgery in China.
- To identify challenges and opportunities in meeting the growing demand for cardiac surgical procedures.
- To assess the impact of economic factors and industry development on healthcare access.
Summary:
- Cardiac surgery in China is expanding rapidly, with growth in western provinces and emerging private facilities.
- Significant investments are being made in medical staff training and research, supported by a burgeoning domestic biomedical industry.
- While cost remains a barrier, improving economic conditions and insurance coverage are enhancing patient access to cardiac surgery.
Impact:
- Highlights the dynamic growth and evolving landscape of cardiac surgery in China.
- Identifies key drivers of demand and the geographical distribution of high-volume centers.
- Underscores the role of economic development, insurance expansion, and industry innovation in improving healthcare accessibility.
Abstract:
In China, cardiac surgery has been developing fast over the past 30 years, but it still cannot meet the huge demand created by the high prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking, and the high frequency of congenital cardiopathies. In China, cardiac surgery is available in about 600 centers, but fewer than 10 centers account for the bulk of operations. Most of these high-volume centers are located in well-developed eastern cities, but cardiac surgery is growing at an extremely rapid pace in the western provinces too. Private structures are appearing alongside public and military hospitals. Huge efforts are being made to train medical staff and to develop basic and clinical research. The Chinese biomedical industry is also developing rapidly, providing local alternatives to imported products. Large university centers in major eastern cities are assisting the development of less experienced centers. The high cost of cardiac surgery remains an obstacle, but the improving economic situation and the expansion of insurance coverage is rapidly improving patient access to these treatments.