Heart Valve Disease (HVD) is a grave health issue, with a staggering two-year mortality rate of around 50% for aortic stenosis patients, yet it often goes undetected. In Taiwan, about 12% of the population grapples with heart abnormalities*. The average age of those undergoing an aortic valve replacement in Taiwan is 82 years, and a troubling 41% of HVD patients delay seeking help until their condition becomes critical.

In the battle against heart valve disease, Edwards Lifesciences stands at the forefront. With specialized expertise in cardiovascular technology, the company focuses on addressing critical conditions, particularly aortic stenosis, a life-threatening but often overlooked noncommunicable disease. In Taiwan, Edwards is dedicated to serving over 130,000 patients in critical care and more than 2,000 individuals with HVD. Sadly, less than 40% of those with HVD are diagnosed, and a mere 3% receive treatment in the form of a valve replacement – a number Edwards is looking to double by 2029.

“There’s a lot more urgency to treating heart valve disease than many people realize. Many people wait until they’re in an urgent situation and are admitted to the emergency room, by this point a lot of damage to the heart may have already occurred,” says Erik Ramp, general manager of Edwards Lifesciences Taiwan. “That’s why we’re putting tremendous efforts into innovating to improve people’s chances of recovery.”

Innovation is a way of life for Edwards Lifesciences. An impressive 60-80% of the company’s products are groundbreaking innovations, underscoring an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical technology. Edwards also takes immense pride in being recognized as one of Asia’s best employers for the second consecutive year by the HR Asia Awards.

“We feel honored that our employees not only align with our company values but also agree that we have a strong patient focus,” says Ramp. “In our most recent survey, 85% of employees attested that Edwards is truly patient-centric and driven by innovation.”

But innovation doesn’t stop at the products – it extends to how the company approaches healthcare in Taiwan. Edwards is actively accelerating the adoption of AI-driven technology and other groundbreaking developments in the domestic market, knowing that these advancements can significantly enhance healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Being a responsible corporate citizen is deeply ingrained in Edwards’ culture. Last year, the company co-organized the International Patient Innovation Forum with AmCham Taiwan, shedding light on MedTech innovation and advocating a reimbursement scheme for AI-driven products. The company also focuses on increasing awareness around heart valve issues.

“A lot of people think about coronary artery disease and heart attacks when they worry about their hearts,” says Ramp. “Fewer think about their heart valves. That’s why it was important for us to include HVD as an example in AmCham Taiwan’s 2023 White Paper and participate in World Heart Day activities to promote awareness.”

This year, Edwards launched a social movement campaign, 聽心音找心病 (ting xin ying, zhao xin bing), or “listen to the sound of your heart to find heart problems.” The simple yet vital campaign centers around auscultation, the act of listening to the heart with a stethoscope. This quick exam often overlooked – can detect heart murmurs or irregular sounds, serving as a crucial indicator of underlying heart issues.

On August 26 this year, the Taiwan Society of Cardiovascular Interventions (TSCI) at 11 sites, where dedicated volunteer doctors offered free auscultations to the public throughout the day. More than 1,200 patients underwent the critical assessment, leading to the discovery of heart abnormalities in approximately 240 individuals. The campaign has extended its reach through social media, where thousands of supporters actively share this life-saving message.  “This is a great example of how these events, when led by our healthcare institutions and the Health Promotion Administration in Taiwan, can have a big impact on the local community” says Ramp.

But awareness and diagnosis are only pieces of the puzzle. Reimbursement remains critical to the treatment of HVD in Taiwan. While transcatheter aortic valve replacements are reimbursed for the highest risk segments of the population in Taiwan, other Countries such as USA, Australia, Japan, and South Korea has adopted a more inclusive billing solution, offering coverage even for those in lower-risk groups. Edwards Lifesciences recognizes the challenges of adopting such expansive reimbursement coverage in Taiwan, given the burden of an aging population and limited budgets. However, the company hopes that with time coverage can expand to other segments of the population also in need. 

“We hope that heart valve treatment will eventually be more broadly available in Taiwan,” says Ramp. “By increasing awareness of HVD and also the availability of treatments, we are dedicated to partnering with Taiwan physicians to help patients live longer, healthier and more productive lives.