Abstract
Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for the most common birth defects in China,
pressuring both the physical and mental health in children. The inaccessibility of
CHD children in rural China due to financial difficulties is demanding inputs from
both the government and society. The Heartguard project is a program developed to
improve the delivery of CHD care in rural China.
Methods The Heartguard project partners with county hospitals and performs CHD screening
to diagnose patients with CHD in rural China. Diagnosed children with CHD who are
unable to afford therapy will subsequently receive treatment sponsored by the financial
partners. All patients are followed up by the local partner and visiting surgical
team members.
Results More than 10,000 children across 9 provinces underwent CHD screening. A total of
240 (accounting for an incidence of 2.4%) was treated by the program, of which 226
patients were managed invasively, the other 14 patients conservatively. Open surgery
was performed in 162 patients, while endovascular procedures were applied in another
64. No mortality or significant complications occurred during the transfer. There
was no perioperative or late death.
Conclusion This humanitarian cardiac surgery program is able to promote accessibility of care
for CHD children in rural China. The quality of life of these patients can be improved
with continuous input from the society.
Keywords
congenital heart disease - CHD - cardiac - cardiac catheterization/intervention -
surgery/incisions
