On June 17, 2022, Dr. Feng Yuan, invited by the Advanced Cardiac Valve Center of the University of Virginia, successfully proctored the implantation of the VenusP-Valve in the United States. The event represents a milestone achievement in the history of interventional cardiology in China, as the VenusP-Valve is an innovative device independently developed by China for transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation, and it also creates a precedent for the clinical use of China-made transcatheter valve in the U.S. Furthermore, this is the first time that a Chinese expert in transcatheter valve intervention has been invited to proctor interventional procedures of the heart valve in the U.S.

With several in-depth pre-procedural discussions, the China-US team formulated a detailed plan based on the patient's clinical status and pulmonary anatomy. After being approved by the FDA for two emergency compassionate cases of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation using the VenusP-Valve on May 23, the procedure was performed in the hybrid operating room of the Advanced Cardiac Valve Center after completing the in vitro simulator-based hands-on training. 
 
(Dr. Feng Yuan, the 2nd one from the right)

The patient was a 21-year-old man who suffered from severe pulmonary regurgitation, significant right ventricular dilation, pulmonary artery dilation, and left ventricular dysfunction after transvalvular patch repair of Tetralogy of Fallot. The index procedure was performed under local anesthesia with patient remained conscious. The right femoral vein was punctured as the main access for valve delivery. With intraprocedural angiography and balloon sizing results available, both teams discussed again online, and agreed to proceed with a P34-25 VenusP-Valve (waist diameter = 34mm, waist length = 25mm). The implantation process was very smooth, immediate comprehensive assessment with angiography and echocardiography showed that the prothesis position was satisfactory, with no paravalvular leak or residual pressure difference, and bilateral pulmonary artery flow was not affected.

After the procedure, Professor Feng Yuan reviewed the procedural details and exchanged the experience of transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation and VenusP-Valve with Professor Scott Lim, director of the Advanced Heart Valve Center of the University of Virginia. Echocardiography performed on the first postprocedural day indicated a marked decrease in the right ventricular volume with no pulmonary regurgitation. The left ventricular function also returned to normal. Making a rapid and sound recovery according to postprocedural assessment, the patient was discharged on June 18 (within 24 hours after the procedure).
 

(Dr. Feng Yuan, the right one)

As one of the largest heart valve centers in China, the Heart Valve Team of the Department of Cardiology of our hospital is experienced in the interventional treatment of aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid valve diseases. The team has performed more than 2,000 cases of transcatheter valve intervention, and pioneered the first clinical use of a variety of innovative transcatheter valve devices or procedures in the world, in Asia and in China. As a leading heart valve center in China, the team has also proctored transcatheter valve procedures in Argentina, India, the Philippines, Chinese Hong Kong and other countries or regions.