On April 14, the International Exchange Month of the 2026 Chengdu International Conference on Interventional Treatment of Valvular Heart Disease was officially launched at West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Professor Lim Yean Leng, Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and Kean Hoo Soon, Director of the Cardiac Center at Eastern Health in Victoria, Australia, led a delegation of nine experts in cardiology, anesthesiology, and nursing to begin a one-week specialized study and exchange program at West China Hospital, Sichuan University. This marks the first time an Australian medical team has come to mainland China as a group to study interventional techniques for valvular heart disease, signifying strong international recognition of West China Hospital’s clinical and technical expertise in this field. More leading international valve teams are expected to visit for exchange in the future.

The event is jointly hosted by West China Hospital and the Chengdu International Conference on Interventional Treatment of Valvular Heart Disease, focusing on deep collaboration in the cardiovascular field between China and abroad. It aims to break down international academic barriers, convey China’s advancements in valvular interventions to the world, and contribute to building a global community of health for all.

During the exchange, leading experts including Professor Huang Dejia, Professor Lim Yean Leng, Professor Chen Mao, Professor Feng Yuan, and Professor Peng Yong systematically shared core techniques and experience in complex cases, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral valve repair. Senior experts from Epworth Healthcare in Australia also introduced cutting-edge international diagnostic and treatment concepts, fostering two-way academic exchange. Centered on clinical practice, the program includes surgical observation, joint ward rounds, and discussions of complex cases, addressing key challenges in interventional treatment of valvular heart disease and providing in-depth exposure to China’s “no sternotomy, minimally invasive, fast recovery” approach.