Fujian's First 'Mirror Person' Heart Transplant Successfully Performed

Background

A rare congenital condition known as 'mirror person' or complete visceral inversion results in all major internal organs being positioned as a mirror image of typical human anatomy. Medical reports indicate this occurs in approximately one in a million individuals. In the case reported by Fujian news outlets, a 21-year-old woman identified only as Xiao Zhong had this anatomy in combination with multiple severe congenital heart defects. These included single ventricle, atrial isomerism, complete type atrial septal defect, dextrocardia, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries, common atrioventricular valve regurgitation, double outlet right ventricle, great artery malposition, and pulmonary valve stenosis.

From birth, Xiao Zhong exhibited cyanosis with persistent purple discoloration of her lips, hands and feet, along with chest tightness and shortness of breath during activity. She previously sought evaluation outside the province. In 2015 at age 10 she underwent Glenn palliative surgery. While this allowed basic daily function for some years, her condition progressively worsened from 2023. Simple tasks caused severe palpitations, dyspnea and fatigue. Diagnostic tests including right heart catheterization and echocardiography confirmed the anomalies. In late July 2026 she was admitted to the Fujian Heart Medical Center at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, where the team determined that progressive cardiac structural deterioration and declining function made heart transplantation the only option.

What was achieved

In late July 2026 a surgical team from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital completed Fujian province’s first allogeneic heart transplant in a 'mirror person' patient. The procedure was performed by Chen Liangwan and Li Qianzhen. The team addressed the challenges of fully reversed anatomy, prior surgery resulting in severe pericardial adhesions, and atypical vascular connections. Upon availability of a suitable donor heart the operation proceeded. After completion the donor heart resumed spontaneous, stable and forceful beating following reperfusion.

The patient was transferred to intensive care. Reports dated October 11 2026 state that she recovered smoothly postoperatively and was discharged from hospital, beginning a new phase of life. Local official news described the case as a breakthrough in techniques for managing complex congenital heart disease combined with rare cardiac transplantation scenarios. This was identified as the first such procedure in Fujian.

How it works

In individuals with mirror-person anatomy the heart is located on the right side of the chest and the arrangement of the great vessels and venous returns is reversed relative to normal situs solitus. Standard heart transplant protocols assume typical left-sided anatomy and vessel orientation, so the surgical team must adapt every step to the mirrored layout. Preoperative imaging such as echocardiography and catheterization maps the precise anomalous positions. The patient’s prior Glenn procedure had produced dense adhesions that further complicated access.

During surgery the anesthesia team provided continuous monitoring. The surgeons carefully dissected and separated the adhesions before excising the diseased native heart. The donor heart vessels were precisely trimmed to match the recipient’s reversed structures. Anastomoses were completed in sequence for the left atrium, main pulmonary artery, superior and inferior venae cavae, and hepatic vein. After thorough de-airing of the chambers the aortic cross-clamp was released, allowing reperfusion. The transplanted heart restarted promptly with a regular, powerful rhythm. This mirrored adaptation of the standard orthotopic transplant technique required exceptional precision.

What it means for international patients

The case demonstrates experience in managing rare anatomical variants during heart transplantation at this center. The hospital has a documented history of heart transplantation beginning with the first orthotopic case in Fujian in 1995 and has performed hundreds of such procedures, including multiple national pioneering cases in complex and combined transplants. It maintains international academic exchanges, including hosting foreign medical delegations for observation and discussion.

International patients seeking care for complex congenital heart disease or transplantation should confirm eligibility, donor availability, regulatory requirements and individual suitability directly with the hospital. Reports do not specify a dedicated international patient department or specialized multilingual cardiac transplant pathways for overseas visitors. Suitability must be assessed case-by-case in accordance with national organ allocation policies.

About the hospital

Fujian Medical University Union Hospital is located in Fuzhou, Fujian Province at 29 Xinquan Road, Gulou District near Yushan. It is a Grade III Class A tertiary comprehensive hospital affiliated with Fujian Medical University and under the administration of the Fujian Provincial Health Commission. Founded with origins in 1860 through the merger of early missionary hospitals, it has developed into an institution integrating medical care, teaching, research, prevention and rehabilitation. It houses the Fujian Provincial Heart Medicine Center.

The cardiac surgery department is a national key clinical specialty and provincial key discipline. It performs a high volume of cardiac operations annually, ranking first in the province for many years. The center has expertise in heart transplantation, artificial heart support, complex congenital heart disease repair, aortic surgery and minimally invasive techniques. The hospital participates in international academic exchanges and has been recognized for contributions to regional medical development. Its official website is http://www.fjxiehe.com/.