Peking Union Medical College Hospital Performs First Transcatheter Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Regurgitation
A Cardiac Milestone at China's Most Prestigious Hospital
Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) — consistently ranked as China's #1 hospital — has successfully performed its first transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for a patient with pure severe aortic regurgitation, a condition historically requiring open-heart surgery.
The Patient
A 71-year-old man, referred to as Mr. Li, presented with severe aortic valve regurgitation complicated by:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Celiac trunk artery aneurysm
- Hypertension
His multiple comorbidities made traditional open-heart valve replacement extremely high-risk. The surgical team determined that a minimally invasive transcatheter approach offered the best risk-benefit ratio.
The Procedure
The PUMCH structural heart disease intervention team performed the TAVR through the femoral artery (groin access) under non-intubated anesthesia — meaning Mr. Li breathed on his own throughout the procedure without a breathing tube.
Key technical details:
- No chest incision — The entire procedure was performed through a small puncture in the groin
- Next-generation valve — A specialized prosthetic valve designed specifically for aortic regurgitation (not stenosis), representing a new class of devices
- Real-time imaging guidance — Transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy guided precise valve positioning
The Results
| Metric | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Aortic regurgitation post-procedure | Eliminated |
| Time to walking | 24 hours |
| Hospital discharge | 72 hours (3 days) |
| Left ventricular size | Significantly reduced by Day 1 |
| Left ventricular function | Improved |
The PUMCH cardiac team reported that their overall TAVR program has achieved 100% survival rates at perioperative, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up — an exceptional benchmark.
Why This Matters
Traditional treatment for severe aortic regurgitation requires open-heart surgery with:
- A 15-25 cm chest incision (sternotomy)
- Cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine)
- 7-14 days of hospitalization
- 6-12 weeks of recovery
- Significant risk for elderly patients with comorbidities
The TAVR approach eliminates all of this. The patient goes home in 3 days and returns to normal activity within 1-2 weeks.
TAVR Cost Comparison
| Item | China (PUMCH) | United States | United Kingdom (Private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAVR procedure (total) | $25,000 - $45,000 | $150,000 - $300,000 | $60,000 - $120,000 |
| Hospital stay (3-5 days) | Included | $15,000 - $30,000/day | $5,000 - $10,000/day |
| Follow-up echo + consultation | Included | $2,000 - $5,000 | $1,000 - $3,000 |
About Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Founded in 1921 by the Rockefeller Foundation, PUMCH is China's most respected medical institution:
- Ranked #1 in China for 14 consecutive years
- JCI accredited with international patient services
- Houses over 60 clinical departments with world-class specialists
- Located in central Beijing, easily accessible for international patients
How to Access TAVR at PUMCH
Through SinomedTrip, international patients can access PUMCH's cardiac program:
- Submit your echocardiogram and cardiac imaging for remote review by the structural heart team
- Receive a candidacy assessment within 48 hours
- Travel to Beijing — we arrange airport pickup, hotel near the hospital, and medical interpreter
- Procedure and recovery — typically 5-7 days total in China for TAVR patients
Have a heart valve condition? Request a free assessment from PUMCH's cardiac team →