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    Congenital heart disease

    Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects. Fuwai Hospital ranks first in China for cardiac surgery and the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University first for pediatrics; both treat children and adults with simple and complex defects.

    Updated October 22, 2026 · Editorial team

    About congenital heart disease

    Congenital heart disease (CHD) means a heart defect present from birth, such as a hole between the chambers (atrial or ventricular septal defect), a narrowed valve, or complex conditions such as tetralogy of Fallot or a single ventricle. Some defects close on their own; others need a catheter procedure or surgery.

    Symptoms

    Babies may breathe fast, feed poorly, gain weight slowly or have a bluish tint to the lips and skin. Older children and adults may tire easily, become short of breath or develop rhythm problems. Many defects are first noticed as a heart murmur.

    Diagnosis

    Echocardiography is the main test, including before birth. Cardiac CT or MRI and catheterization add detail for complex defects.

    Treatment in China

    • Catheter-based closure of septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus, often without open surgery.
    • Open-heart surgery for complex defects, from infancy onwards.
    • Hybrid procedures combining surgery and catheter techniques.
    • Lifelong follow-up for adults with repaired or unrepaired congenital heart disease.

    Why patients choose China

    Fuwai Hospital, led for many years by academician Hu Shengshou, is China’s national center for cardiovascular disease and ranks first nationally for both cardiology and cardiac surgery. The Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, ranked first in pediatrics, runs a dedicated cardiovascular center where Huang Guoying leads research on congenital heart disease.

    Top hospitals in China for Cardiovascular medicine

    Fudan 2023 reputation score · bars are relative to the leader in this specialty.

    1. 1 Fuwai Hospital Beijing 10.5
    2. 2 Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai 9.1
    3. 3 Beijing Anzhen Hospital Beijing 8.1
    4. 4 General Hospital of Northern Theater Command Shenyang 5.7
    5. 5 Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou 5.6
    6. 6 Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital Guangzhou 3.3
    7. 7 West China Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu 3.1
    8. 8 Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin 2.8
    9. 9 Ruijin Hospital Shanghai 2.0
    10. 10 Peking University First Hospital Beijing 1.6
    Nominated hospitals (20)

    Source: Fudan University Hospital Management Institute, China Hospital Specialty Reputation Ranking (2023 edition).

    Hospitals to consider

    Specialists

    Cardiology and cardiac surgery Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
    Clinical focus
    • Coronary artery disease
    • Intravascular ultrasound
    • Coronary stent development and in-stent restenosis
    Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2011)
    Cardiology and cardiac surgery Fuwai Hospital
    Clinical focus
    • Coronary artery surgery
    • Heart valve surgery
    • Congenital heart surgery
    Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (2013)

    Frequently asked questions

    Can adults with congenital heart disease be treated in China?

    Yes. Fuwai Hospital and other leading heart centers treat adults with congenital heart disease, including those who had surgery as children and now need further procedures.

    What should I send for an assessment?

    Echocardiogram reports and images, cardiac CT or MRI if available, ECG, previous operation reports and the child’s or patient’s weight and oxygen saturation.

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