George Ye, senior vice president of Edwards Lifesciences (Edwards) and general manager of Edwards Greater China, speaks at the Second Edwards Lifesciences Aortic Valve Disease Summit held in Shanghai, on June 3, 2023. [Photo provided by Edwards]

Editor's note: The Second Edwards Lifesciences Aortic Valve Disease Summit (AS Summit) was held in Shanghai on June 3, gathering over 60 medical experts to discuss treatment methods of valvular heart diseases in China. This event was organized by Edwards Lifesciences (Edwards), a leading enterprise in dealing with structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. George Ye, senior vice president of Edwards and general manager of Edwards Greater China, shared his insights on the medical treatment of cardiovascular illnesses and other issues with China.org.cn during the forum. 

China.org.cn: According to a 2020 report on cardiovascular health and illnesses in China, about 25 million people around China are suffering from valvular heart diseases. Due to limited awareness of and treatment methods for this disease, only 1% to 2% of patients have access to surgical intervention. As a leading enterprise in the industry, how do you plan to provide more medical resources to benefit more Chinese patients?

George Ye: Over the years, we have actively collaborated with multiple parties to benefit more Chinese patients. For example, we have established partnership with over 10 leading hospitals in China, such as Fuwai Hospital and West China Hospital, to promote the application of new technologies represented by the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

In addition, we have conducted a series of clinical training programs with many medical organizations such as the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, to further improve the clinical skills of Chinese physicians. 

Notably, SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve technology (SAPIEN 3) invented by Edwards was launched in China in 2020. It is now used in 24 provinces and cities across the country. 

To better benefit Chinese patients, Edwards has closely cooperated with local authorities and made SAPIEN3 a treatment covered by the performance-based payment under basic medical insurance in many places such as Henan province and Shanghai.

China.org.cn: Over the past few years, Edwards has actively worked with hospitals and medical schools to promote the development of healthcare in China. Could you speak on the results of your efforts? What will you do to further expand cooperation with local partners? 

George Ye: Edwards has always regarded China as a key strategic market and deepened cooperation with local partners to promote the high quality development of the medical device industry in China. In the future, we are looking forward to exploring new cooperation modes in key areas so as to benefit more Chinese patients.

Edwards has worked with enterprises, universities, and research institutions in China to improve clinical skills of local physicians. 

In 2022, Edwards established a partnership with the Chinese Society of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology, conducted cooperation in areas such as monitoring technology during anesthesia, and jointly built an exchange platform for hemodynamic monitoring.

Moreover, we will continue to facilitate multidisciplinary cooperation to better improve the treatment for valvular heart diseases in China. The AS Summit is an example of Edwards' efforts to promote multidisciplinary exchange, so as to further sharpen China's diagnosis and treatment ability regarding valvular heart diseases.

China.org.cn: AI technology has developed rapidly over the recent years. From your perspective, what are the impacts of the development of AI on the medical industry? I learned that last year, your company launched the first AI-powered patient monitor, providing effective assistance to anesthetists. What will you do to further leverage the strength of AI to promote the development of intensive care and surgical monitoring?

George Ye: To provide better treatment and monitoring services for patients plagued with cardiovascular illnesses, Edwards has devoted itself to developing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to explore new medical products and services.

In 2022, the first AI-powered monitoring product, HemoSphere, made by Edwards, was unveiled in China. By monitoring and analyzing patients' physiological data in real time, the device can help reduce the risks of perioperative hypotension and provide comprehensive and accurate support to anesthetists during surgery.

Going forward, we will continue to employ AI to promote the development of intensive care and surgical monitoring. Through intelligent data collection, analysis, presentation, and feedback, we are striving to achieve the goal of smart recovery by offering a safer, efficient, and comfortable rehabilitation process for all patients.

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