The surgeon’s role in the control and prevention of cardiovascular disease in contemporary China

SummaryCardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the leading cause of illness and death in contemporary China. In mainland China, congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital defect of the newborn. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital cardiac abnormality in infants and children. Atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) take the second and third positions, respectively. Among cyanotic defects, tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common disease. Rheumatic fever is still prevalent, especially in the countryside of south China. Chinese surgeons began paying attention to the control and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the mid 1940s. Further progress has been made since the 1990s in accordance with the growing Chinese economy. Until now, the correction of CHD has been the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed by Chinese cardiovascular surgeons. An increasing number of coronary artery bypass grafting operations are being performed in several large heart centers in China. The surgeon’s role in prevention and control is performing the proper intervention at the correct time in order to halt the process of the disease, and improving the quality and quantity of the patient’s life.