[Expats & Ailments] Japanese Woman Saved From Life-threatening Condition in Shanghai
Welcome to "Expats & Ailments"
Dive into the fascinating world of medicine! Each issue, we uncover real-life cases, share health tips, and guide you to the best hospitals and departments. Science, solutions, and everyday wellness – made simple and engaging. Stay curious, stay healthy!
Doctors in Shanghai saved a 67-year-old Japanese woman battling a life-threatening condition.
Experiencing severe chest pain, she called 120 for an ambulance and was admitted to the Naval Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital).
Her blood pressure was extremely high, and experiencing worsening chest pain.
Doctors diagnosed her with a complicated penetrating ulcer of the thoracic aorta, accompanied by a large intramural hematoma, a serious and potentially fatal aortic disease.
The patient required emergency treatment. But her family was keen to return to Japan, where they were more familiar with the medical landscape.
Dr Zhou Jian and his team then used 3D demonstrations to explain the complex and severe nature of her condition, the surgical procedure, and the pre-planning for risks, as well as post-surgery rehabilitation.
"The doctors' professional explanations and confidence eased our concerns. We came to understand that the location of the surgery was not the most critical factor, but rather the advanced and consistent medical technology," the family said.
Doctors saved the patient through minimally invasive surgery.
The patient recovered very well and was able to walk on the third day. She expressed her gratitude to all the medical staff.
"I felt very relieved. The moment when the chest pain was reduced and I could walk by myself, I realized medical technology is borderless.
"The doctors here have international-level capability, so they are a high-end team; patients can trust them with their lives," the patient said.
"The rise in the number of elderly people makes vascular diseases like aortic aneurysm, diabetic foot, and deep venous thrombosis more prevalent and more serious," said Dr Zhou Jian. "China's capability in the field has been in line with international standards."
If you want to consult
Vascular surgery department
Address 1: 700 Moyu Rd N, Jiading District, Shanghai (嘉定区墨玉北路700号)
All day: Wednesday, Saturday
Morning: Tuesday
Afternoon: Monday, Thursday, Friday
Address 2: No. 225 Changhai Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai (杨浦区长海路225号)
Expert Clinic Friday Morning
Patients can consult the department via email at vhealth@vip.163.com, zhoujian1-2@163.com
Editor: Fu Rong
In Case You Missed It...




![[China Tech] Breakthrough study on robot-assisted esophagus cancer surgery](https://obj.shine.cn/files/2026/04/01/d6ccf1c9-98a4-48c8-8d50-afe37a835352_0.jpg)
