Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2021; 69(08): 723-728
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723846
Original Cardiovascular

The Heartguard: A Humanitarian Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program in Rural China

Xun E. Zhang*
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Zhi Geng*
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Jun Shao
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Hao Yao
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Lu Wang
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Xiaobo Li
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
,
Qingguo Li
1   Cardiovascular Center, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
2   Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
› Author Affiliations
Funding The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under award number 81670421 to QL and 81800078 to XZ. This study was also supported by the Six Talent Peaks Project of Jiangsu Province, China (TD-SWYY-005); Jiangsu Provincial Social Development Project (BE2016798) to QL.

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.

* Both authors contributed equally to the work.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 23 October 2020

Accepted: 30 October 2020

Article published online:
18 February 2021

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