Academic Exchange | Chinese and American Experts Discuss PADN Regional Cooperation and Future Development

On March 19, the PADN Regional Cooperation and Future Development Seminar was held at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (referred to as "XMCH"). The event brought together internationally renowned cardiovascular experts, including Professor Wang Yan, President of XMCH; Professor Kwan S. Lee from Mayo Clinic (USA); Professor Marvin Ho-Keung Eng from Banner University in Phoenix (USA); Professors Wu Yizhe and Wu Shuhao from Mackay Medical College (Taiwan); Professor Lu Yikang from Central Heart Clinic (Hong Kong); and Professor Tan Guanchang from Kiang Wu Hospital (Macau).

Pulmonary Artery Denervation (PADN) is an innovative Chinese-developed treatment for pulmonary hypertension. This technique employs a minimally invasive intervention to block the sympathetic nerves in the pulmonary artery, reducing pulmonary artery pressure. It offers a new treatment option for patients who cannot tolerate medication or experience poor drug efficacy. The PADN product has been approved for market release by China's NMPA.

Professor Wang Yan of XMCH opened the seminar with a welcoming speech, extending greetings to experts from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and the United States. He introduced the hospital’s development, discipline construction, innovative technologies, industrial advancements, and international collaborations. Professors Chen Xiang from XMCH and Tan Guanchang from Kiang Wu Hospital (Macau) shared case studies on the application of PADN technology in Xiamen and Macau. Professor Lu Yikang from Central Heart Clinic (Hong Kong) presented insights into structural heart disease treatments in Hong Kong. The two American experts expressed their hopes that China’s original PADN procedure would soon be approved for the U.S. market.

As the clinical research center for PADN-HF-PH and the institution responsible for the world's first post-market PADN procedure, XMCH has accumulated extensive clinical experience in PADN. During the seminar, Chinese and American experts engaged in in-depth discussions on PADN’s clinical applications and future prospects. They also explored potential regional cooperation between China, the U.S., and across the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, they observed four live PADN procedures performed by the Xiamen team.

In the afternoon, six experts visited the interventional catheterization lab to observe four PADN procedures conducted by Directors Chen Xiang and Chen Weibin. The experts engaged in deep discussions on indications, timing, surgical techniques, and post-operative management. They praised XMCH for its world-class medical facilities and innovative technologies and commended China's original PADN technique for leading the way in pulmonary hypertension treatment.

Through this visit and seminar, Chinese and American experts exchanged insights in the field of pulmonary hypertension, shared cutting-edge technologies, and fostered innovative thinking. This laid a solid foundation for further advancing PADN regional cooperation between China, the U.S., and the Taiwan Strait in the future.