1. History and status
The Department of Cardiology (Fourth Military Medical University, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Intermedicine Division) was founded in 1963, has been one of the initial military cardiovascular research centers nationally from 1978. It has been approved to be the national master’s degree authorization institute and doctor’s degree authorization institute in 1981 and in 1993, post-doctoral research station of clinical medicine as well. In 1996, it was licensed as national training center of interventional cardiology, Asia emergency center and designated salvage group of international relief center. In 1997, it was included in the key constructive disciplines of the national “211” Project, and ranked as the military cardiovascular institute, one of the first highlighted key constructive disciplines and training center of coronary heart disease which was funded by the international health foundations. In 2005, it was nominated by the National Ministry of Health as training center of interventional therapy for cardiovascular disease. After the past 50 years development, it has become one of the largest national cardiovascular research and clinic centers, and ranked top 3 with respect to the comprehensive strength including clinical practice, medical education and original research work.
2. Overview
In 2006, a total of 13,900 m2 cardiovascular specialized hospital and laboratory was newly established, with 170 beds, 20 beds of which were for intensive care use，receiving more than 57,000 patients with cardiovascular disease from all over the country and treating nearly 6,900 patient annually. There are over 8,000 interventional operations annually with gross income of 140 million RMB. The Department owns 132 professionals, of which 36 belong to principle set. 89% of the principle faculties have received doctor’s degree, of which 4 are professors, 13 are associate professors and 16 lecturers. It has 1 supervisor for Ph.D. student and 4 supervisors for Master degree student, and enrolls 5-10 Ph.D. candidates and 8-15 Master students.
3. Advantages and specialties
The first domestic percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successfully performed in the Department in 1984, which initiated and promoted the interventional therapy for coronary heart disease in China. Meanwhile, it has developed its own distinguished specialties, with interventional therapy (PCI) for ischemic heart disease as its main expertise. In recent years, it has fulfilled over 2,300 cases of PCI per year, ranking the top 3 in China. It has originated magnetized stent to protect against the coronary restenosis after PCI operation worldwide and has filed national invention’s patent. It has launched or undertook a series of international or national clinical trials such as “Long-term observation of the effectiveness of home-made drug-coated stents in complex coronary lesions”. Moreover, it takes a leading place in radio frequency current ablation in treating tachyarrhythmia, interventional therapy in congenital heart disease, and comprehensive therapy in chronic heart failure characterized of double ventricular synchronized pacing.
The Department has developed an excellent environment for talents by training and absorbing outstanding individuals. It has built up a monthly professional communication, training program and interactions with international high-level cardiovascular centers such as Mayo Clinic, Thomas Jefferson University, Osaka University, et al. So far 16 individuals have experienced abroad study and the number of person sent abroad to participate in international conference has reached to 10 or more. From 1995, it has successfully organized 13 international academic meetings with over 500 participants each time, in joint efforts with the cardiologist delegation from Mayo clinic, by which formed a professional tradition.
The excellent basis of technological training, financial support and experienced faculty members provide a good base and environment for the further development of the Department.
