Who is China's best cardiac surgeon?

As an observer who has long tracked global medical innovation, I've been asked repeatedly: “If you want to find China's top cardiac surgeons, who should you look for?” This seemingly simple question touches on a microcosm of China's medical development—how do we define “best” when this nation, once seen as a “follower,” has gradually become a ‘contender’ and even a “leader” in cardiac surgery?

I. The Rise of Chinese Cardiac Surgery: From “Impossible” to “Routine Procedure”

To understand today's Chinese cardiac surgeons, we must first revisit history. In the 1950s, China's cardiac surgery was still in its infancy; the successful completion of the first extracorporeal circulation surgery made national headlines. Today, China performs over 700,000 cardiac surgeries annually (according to the China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report). Techniques such as complex congenital heart defect repair, ventricular assist devices (artificial hearts) for end-stage heart failure, and minimally invasive valve surgery have reached international standards, with breakthroughs achieved in certain areas.

Behind this remarkable leap lies the collective dedication of generations of cardiac surgeons. Among them are seasoned practitioners who have spent decades honing their craft in the operating room, literally “sculpting” lives with their scalpels, as well as trailblazers who drive technological innovation and bring Chinese solutions to the global stage. To identify the “best,” one must consider two dimensions: irreplaceability within the specialty and international recognition.

II. Several Chinese Cardiac Surgeons Frequently Cited in the International Medical Community

Whether in discussions at European and American cardiac surgery conferences or collaborative studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), the names of the following physicians are frequently mentioned. They may not hold the “most prestigious titles,” but within their respective fields, they are regarded as “pioneers.”

1. Hu Shengshou: Trailblazer in Artificial Hearts and Minimally Invasive Techniques

As Director of Fuwai Hospital (one of the world's largest cardiovascular centers) under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hu Shengshou's international reputation stems from his revolutionary research in treating “end-stage heart failure.” In 2017, his team's “China Heart” (third-generation fully magnetic levitation artificial heart) entered clinical trials, breaking the monopoly of Western companies on high-end artificial heart technology. More significantly, his pioneering “minimally invasive valve surgery” technique—performing aortic valve replacement through a small incision—reduced surgical trauma by 60%. The related research paper was named “Breakthrough of the Year” by the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.

An American cardiac surgeon who observed his operations remarked: “Hu's team's ability to refine surgical instruments is astonishing. Their minimally invasive techniques aren't mere replication—they're redesigned based on Asian thoracic anatomy.” Today, Fuwai Hospital performs over 4,000 heart transplants and artificial heart implantations annually, with a mortality rate below 5% (compared to the international average of approximately 8%). This achievement stems directly from his clinical philosophy.

2. Zhuang Jian: The Precision Pioneer in Congenital Heart Disease Treatment

When focusing on pediatric cardiac surgery, Zhuang Jian of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital is an indispensable figure. Congenital heart disease is the leading birth defect among Chinese children, and many complex cases (such as transposition of the great arteries) were once considered “surgical taboos.” Over two decades, Zhuang Jian's team elevated the success rate of such surgeries from 60% to 98%. Through a comprehensive intervention chain integrating “prenatal diagnosis with immediate postnatal surgery,” they have saved countless newborns.

The International Pediatric Cardiac Health Society (IPCHS) has specifically highlighted his “trans-thoracic minimally invasive closure technique”—repairing cardiac defects using an occluder through a small intercostal incision without open-chest surgery. This minimally invasive approach, offering rapid recovery, has been incorporated into clinical guidelines in multiple European and American countries. Even more commendable is the “Congenital Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment Network” he spearheaded, which now spans 20 Chinese provinces and has tripled grassroots screening rates. The World Health Organization has hailed it as “a replicable model for developing countries.”

3. Liu Yinglong: The Compassionate Craftsman of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease

While the first two doctors are more “technical innovators,” Liu Yinglong from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, is hailed by patients as the “guardian angel of children's hearts.” With over 40 years of medical practice specializing in pediatric congenital heart disease, he excels particularly in complex anomalies like tetralogy of Fallot and single ventricle. Data shows his team's pediatric CHD surgery mortality rate has consistently remained below 2% (compared to the international average of approximately 3%-5%).

International peers admire not only his technical expertise but also his “patient-centered” philosophy. He pioneered “radiation-free surgery” to reduce X-ray exposure risks for children; his “personalized surgical plans” adjust incision locations based on a child's age and weight, even accounting for future growth needs. A family from the United States once traveled across the ocean for treatment. After the surgery, the parents wrote on social media: “Dr. Liu showed me the perfect blend of ‘medical skill’ and ‘human warmth.’”

III. There's no definitive answer to “the best,” but the direction is clear

Returning to the original question: Who is China's best cardiac surgeon? The answer may depend on your specific needs—if you focus on artificial hearts and minimally invasive techniques, Hu Shengshou's team is the top choice; if you're concerned about pediatric congenital heart disease, Zhuang Jian or Liu Yinglong's clinics are worth considering; and in fields like coronary artery bypass grafting and valve repair, experts like Sun Lizhong from Beijing Anzhen Hospital and Wang Chunsheng from Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital stand at the forefront internationally.

More importantly, these surgeons share a common trait: they are deeply rooted in clinical practice, tackling the most challenging cases, while also looking ahead to advance technological iteration and global knowledge sharing. As Hu Shengshou stated at the 2023 International Forum on Cardiothoracic Surgery: “The goal of Chinese cardiac surgery is not to ‘become the best,’ but to use our experience so that more patients ‘needs do not travel far across the ocean.”

For those outside China seeking to understand the caliber of Chinese cardiac surgery, one can follow these surgeons' live surgeries, observe their international collaborations, or directly consult their publications in journals like Circulation and the Annals of Thoracic Surgery—where China's medical community offers cutting-edge solutions to the challenge of preserving life. (Note: Physician titles and achievements are compiled from publicly available sources. For specific medical services, please refer to official hospital information.)

Document dated 2025-11-05 10:19 Modify