Salvadoran doctor travels to Xiamen for minimally invasive mitral valve repair

A 60-year-old doctor from El Salvador travelled to Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, affiliated with Xiamen University, for minimally invasive treatment of mitral valve disease. Mercedes Menjivar arrived with her daughter on November 19, 2024, after a journey of more than 30 hours and approximately 15,000 kilometres. Following further examinations, she underwent mitral valve clipping on November 21 and was discharged the next day.

Assessment began with her doctor at home

Menjivar, an epidemiologist at Rosales National Hospital, had experienced breathlessness and chest tightness with mild activity for nearly a year. Her cardiology colleague Ricardo Menjivar performed detailed examinations, including transoesophageal echocardiography, and diagnosed mitral valve prolapse with moderate-to-severe regurgitation.

Ricardo had previously trained at the Xiamen hospital and knew its approach to minimally invasive valve treatment. In September 2024, the Salvadoran Ministry of Health helped contact the hospital. The two teams arranged a remote consultation, allowing specialists in China to review the case before the patient travelled.

After careful assessment and repeated discussions with her family, the Xiamen team considered her suitable for minimally invasive mitral clipping. She decided to make the journey after learning about the team's previous clinical work in El Salvador.

A catheter-based procedure after arrival

Additional examinations in Xiamen were followed by surgery on the third day of admission. Wang Yan led the team, supported by specialists in anaesthesia, ultrasound imaging, cardiac intensive care and interventional nursing.

They implanted a valve clip using the Chinese-developed DragonFly transcatheter mitral valve repair system. The catheter-based approach avoided the cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest involved in conventional open-heart surgery. The hospital reported a marked improvement in her symptoms: she could walk on the day of the procedure and completed discharge formalities the following day.

An international centre and a cross-border referral

By publication on November 26, Menjivar and her daughter were preparing to return home. The account documents both the remote suitability assessment and the additional evaluation after arrival.

The hospital had established its international medical centre in June 2024. It described services for overseas residents living locally and patients travelling to Xiamen for examinations or treatment.