Singaporean Patient Successfully Undergoes Innovative Aortic Valve Replacement at Beijing Fuwai Hospital
When 75-year-old Mr. Zhang from Singapore began experiencing severe chest tightness and shortness of breath, his life changed overnight. Once active and energetic, he suddenly found himself struggling to breathe even after minimal activity. His family immediately arranged for him to travel to Beijing Fuwai Hospital, where he was examined by Dr. Liu Yuhao, Director of the Department of Structural Heart Disease I.
After thorough evaluation, doctors diagnosed Mr. Zhang with aortic valve regurgitation and heart failure — a condition where the aortic valve fails to close completely, causing blood to leak backward into the heart. This forces the heart to work excessively hard, leading to heart enlargement and weakening over time.
“His condition was critical,” Dr. Liu explained. “The valve was severely degenerated, and each heartbeat caused significant backflow. Traditional open-heart surgery would have been too risky at his age.”
Advanced Technology: The J-VALVE TF System
To address this challenge, Dr. Liu’s team turned to a breakthrough technology — the J-VALVE TF system, China’s first domestically developed and NMPA-approved transcatheter aortic valve delivery system. What makes it revolutionary is its “self-navigation and dual anchoring system”, which allows automatic valve positioning without heavy reliance on X-ray imaging.
This innovation greatly simplifies complex procedures, making TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) feasible even for patients with difficult heart anatomy, such as those with large or irregular valve structures.
“The J-VALVE TF technology provides precise navigation and anchoring,” said Dr. Liu. “For elderly patients like Mr. Zhang, who have pure aortic regurgitation and large valve rings, it offers a safer, minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery.”
A Minimally Invasive, Life-Saving Procedure
During the operation, Dr. Liu and his team made a small incision near Mr. Zhang’s groin and inserted the delivery catheter through the femoral artery. The catheter carried the artificial valve all the way to the diseased aortic valve. Under real-time ultrasound and with the system’s built-in navigation guidance, the team successfully positioned and released the new valve with high precision.
The entire procedure was completed efficiently and with minimal trauma. Postoperative monitoring showed that Mr. Zhang’s heart valve function was completely restored — the regurgitation was eliminated, and his vital signs stabilized quickly.
After awakening from anesthesia, Mr. Zhang said softly but joyfully, “I used to feel breathless even with the slightest movement. Now, I can breathe easily again. It’s like a new life.”
The Future of Heart Valve Treatment
The success of this case not only saved a patient’s life but also marked an important step forward for the application of Chinese-developed cardiovascular technologies on the international stage. The J-VALVE TF system showcases the potential of combining intelligent navigation with minimally invasive intervention, opening new possibilities for elderly patients with complex heart valve conditions.
As Dr. Liu emphasized, “Our goal is not only to extend life but to improve the quality of it — with safer, smarter, and more comfortable treatments.”