Frontiers in Dialogue: Exploring a New Paradigm for Cardiovascular Development | The 3rd FTC China Forum on Advanced Cardiac Surgery Technologies Concludes Successfully
On December 26, 2021, the 3rd FTC China Frontier Technologies Forum in Cardiac Surgery was successfully held, co-organized by the Cardiovascular Surgical Technology and Engineering Committee of the China Medical Biotechnology Association, the Cardiac Surgery Professional Committee of the China Medical Education Association, and the FTC Think Tank. Themed “Turning Visions into Reality,” the forum focused on the innovative application of cutting-edge clinical technologies, encouraged physicians’ innovative practices, addressed challenges and opportunities in distal aortic remodeling after aortic dissection repair and ventricular assist devices in heart failure management, and promoted industry-academia-research collaboration as well as the development of the cardiovascular industry ecosystem.
This conference brought together top experts, entrepreneurs, and investors in the cardiovascular field and related disciplines, including Professor Sun Lizhong, President-Elect of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association; Professor Fu Weiguo from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Professor Yang Jue from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University; Professor Guo Wei from the Chinese PLA General Hospital; Professor Yu Cuntao from Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Professor Zuo Jian from Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University; Professor Bai Tao from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University; Professor Liu Zhongmin from Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University; Professor Liu Zhigang from TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital; Professor Liu Jinping from Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University; Professor Zhang Xiwen from the School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University; Mr. Jin Lei, Chairman of BaiRen Medical; and Mr. Ding Guanhua, Vice President of Investment at Chende Capital. They shared insights, sparked intellectual exchange, and jointly explored innovation and development in the cardiovascular field.
Professor Sun Lizhong, President of Shanghai DeltaHealth Hospital and President-Elect of the Chinese Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, delivered the keynote address at this conference, extending a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all colleagues who participated in and supported the event. Professor Sun stated that FTC is committed to providing a platform for exchange and connection among professionals who have worked and will continue to work in the fields of technology, equipment, and research and development in cardiovascular surgery. It also aims to bridge academia, industry, and research sectors within the cardiovascular field, facilitating the development of new technologies and products, thereby accelerating the comprehensive advancement of cardiovascular surgery in China.
Cardiovascular experts from across China shared their latest advances in clinical practice and academic research.Professor Yang Jue, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan UniversitySharing the latest advances in the PETTICOAT technique regarding distal remodeling in aortic dissection;Professor Guo Wei, Chinese PLA General HospitalConducted an in-depth and systematic study on the distal evolution of aortic dissection, elucidating the Type 301 classification and its implications for distal aortic remodeling;Professor Yu Cuntao, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical SciencesThis article explores the latest frontiers in thoracoabdominal aortic replacement surgery and summarizes and shares experiences with open surgical repair for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.Professor Zuo Jian, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical UniversityReflected on the long-term prognosis of aortic dissection and shared solutions for residual dissection in different anatomical locations.Professor Liu Zhongmin, Shanghai East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji UniversityIt presents the latest advancements in domestic and international research from a stem cell perspective, offering an alternative solution for heart failure treatment;Professor Liu Zhigang, TEDA International Cardiovascular HospitalReviewed the history of ventricular assist devices, shared current research status, and provided an in-depth outlook on future development;Professor Liu Jinping, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityPropose the use of concentric repair technology to more effectively utilize marginal donor hearts, thereby benefiting a greater number of patients with end-stage heart disease;Professor Zhang Xiwen, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua UniversityThis article outlines the research and development progress of minimally invasive micro artificial hearts, highlighting that they currently represent the most mature product with the broadest range of indications.
Chaired by Professor Xu Shangdong from Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University,Professor Zuo Jian of Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University; Professor Yang Jue of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan UniversityMr. Zhu Qing, President of Shanghai MicroPort Endovascular, and Mr. Wang Yongsheng, General Manager of Hangzhou Weiqiang Medical, engaged in a roundtable discussion on “Exploration and Reflections on Distal Aortic Remodeling.” Clinical experts and corporate representatives shared their experiences in industry-academia-research collaboration and innovation, offering insights from two distinct perspectives into the entire translation process—from an innovative concept driven by clinical needs to the final implementation of an innovative product. Professor Sun Lizhong proposed that future research and industrial innovation should shift focus from treatment to prevention, emphasizing the management of primary diseases and pharmacological therapy during follow-up. The participants expressed that greater innovativeness should be discovered through the integration of clinical practice and industry, leading to the development of more and better products that benefit a larger number of patients and address existing challenges.
The emergence of innovative medical device products also relies on corporate innovation practices and the support of capital. In the afternoon session of the conference, Mr. Jin Lei, Chairman of BaiRen Medical, as a corporate representative, shared new progress in research and exploration on the path to domestic production of artificial biological heart valves.Ding Guanhua, Vice President of Investment at Chende CapitalShared insights on future investment directions for high-value consumables in the cardiovascular field. Mr. Ding Guanhua stated that although several domestic artificial heart companies have secured backing from top-tier capital this year, China has a large population of heart failure patients, yet the market penetration rate of non-pharmacological heart failure products remains low. Medical needs are far from being met, necessitating continuous innovation. Technical barriers, talent shortages, application challenges, and cost hurdles remain critical issues that we still need to overcome.
As a key concurrent event of the conference, the 2021 FTC “Cardiac Perspective, Cardiac Innovation” Pitch Session was held in the afternoon. To promote technological innovation in cardiac surgery, encourage physicians to engage in bold innovative practices, leverage industry chain resources, and accelerate the industrialization of high-quality scientific achievements, we launched a call for cardiovascular technology innovation cases two months prior. After a two-month period of submission and selection, nine companies—Weiqiang Medical, Yongrenxin Medical, Zhenyi Medical, Weimai Medical, Dingke Medical, Shanshi Medical, Ruixin Intelligent Medical, Mayo Heart Magnetism, and Shanren Medical—participated in the final pitch session, presenting their projects in terms of market prospects, clinical and market value, and technological innovation. Fifteen on-site experts and investment judges provided targeted comments and engaged in discussions. Ultimately, three companies emerged as the top winners.
From concept to implementation, the path to translating clinical innovations into practice is fraught with challenges and requires deep integration and collaborative efforts among physicians, industry, and investors. FTC is committed to building an innovation and exchange platform that integrates industry, academia, research, and application, thereby facilitating the efficient translation of cardiovascular research. The golden age of cardiovascular technological innovation has arrived. With the joint efforts of cardiac surgeons and professionals across various sectors, we are confident that continuous momentum will be provided for the innovative development of the entire industry.