Pulnovo Medical's PADN System Shows Promise for Heart Failure Patients

The PADN-HF-PH trial results, presented at the ESC Congress 2026 and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate a 51% reduction in the risk of clinical worsening compared to patients receiving only guideline-directed medical therapy. Led by researchers including Professor Shao-Liang Chen, Academician Yaling Han, and Professor Gregg W. Stone, the study tracked patients over a median follow-up of 338 days. Beyond the primary endpoint, the intervention showed a 35.5% decrease in the annualized rate of recurrent clinical events, suggesting the procedure addresses the broader disease burden rather than merely delaying initial complications.

Patients treated with the PADN system also experienced tangible functional improvements, including a net increase of 24.8 meters in 6-minute walk distance at the 12-month mark. This performance was supported by better scores on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and reduced NT-proBNP levels, indicating improved ventricular function. With a favorable safety profile and only minimal procedural complications reported, the findings provide a robust evidence base for targeting sympathetic nerve activity in patients who currently lack specific, approved therapies for their pulmonary hypertension. The trial underscores a new approach to managing the mutual exacerbation of heart and lung conditions.