From May 31 to June 1 of 2024, the 4^th Annual Meeting of the Asian Association for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery (AAPCHS) was grandly held in Seoul, South Korea. Over 200 experts, researchers, and clinicians from 16 countries gathered to discuss the latest advancements and showcase cutting-edge research in congenital heart disease. The meeting provided new perspectives and insights to the congenital heart disease community. AAPCHS is striving to become one of the most influential associations in the field, following in the footsteps of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery (WSPCHS) and the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association (ECHSA).

The Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) journal strengthened its collaboration with AAPCHS, supporting and promoting significant research findings. The Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Xuming Mo (Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), and Associate Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Hao Zhang (Shanghai Children's Medical Center), held discussions and took commemorative photos with AAPCHS President, Prof. Kisaburo Sakamoto (Shizuoka Children's Hospital, Japan).

AAPCHS Active Board Members at the 4^th Annual Meeting of AAPCHS

During the meeting, Prof. Kisaburo Sakamoto and Prof. Xuming Mo discussed the current state and future prospects of pediatric congenital heart disease, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative techniques and methods in the field. Prof. Hao Zhang demonstrated the application of 3D models in pediatric congenital heart surgery, while Prof. Shoujun Li (Fuwai Hospital, Beijing) introduced the application of the “Ozaki technique” in pediatric aortic valve disease. The conference focused on academic hot topics such as the surgical treatment of complete atrioventricular septal defect, key techniques for neonatal complex congenital heart disease surgery, and the application of 3D printing in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease.

At the AAPCHS board meeting, Prof. Xuming Mo, as the Editor-in-Chief of CHD journal and the First Vice President of AAPCHS in Asia, proposed the vision of making CHD the official journal of AAPCHS. This vision aims to provide a publication platform for high-quality abstracts presented at the meetings, while also expanding the global influence of the CHD journal. This proposal received strong support from President Prof. Kisaburo Sakamoto and the board members of AAPCHS.

Prof. Kisaburo Sakamoto, President of AAPCHS, added, “We are excited about this collaboration and the opportunities it presents. The proposal to make CHD the official journal of AAPCHS will undoubtedly enhance the visibility of our members’ research and foster a spirit of innovation and collaboration within the community. This agreement marks a significant milestone in our mission to advance the field of pediatric and congenital heart surgery.”

Prof. Xuming Mo stated, “Although AAPCHS has a short history, its membership spans almost all Asian countries, bringing together top experts in the field of congenital heart disease. The strong collaboration between CHD journal and AAPCHS will not only provide a broader academic exchange platform for congenital heart disease physicians in Asia, showcasing more cutting-edge achievements and promoting the advancement of congenital heart disease treatment techniques in Asia and globally. Additionally, CHD journal can leverage AAPCHS’s influence in Asia to attract more high-quality submissions, enhancing the journal’s status in the international academic community and making greater contributions to the global field of congenital heart disease research.”

On behalf of CHD Journal, Editor Dr. Nishant Patel, and Young EBM DR. Di Yu, also met with AAPCHS President Prof. Kisaburo Sakamoto and First Vice President Prof. Xuming Mo to discuss the proposal. They commented, “We are honored to collaborate with AAPCHS. This partnership will not only enrich our journal’s content but also support the dissemination of critical research that can improve patient outcomes worldwide.”

Prof. Xuming Mo, 1^st Vice President with Editor and Young EBM of CHD journal at the 4th Annual Meeting of AAPCHS

Overall, the 4^th AAPCHS Annual Meeting highlighted the spirit of collaboration and innovation in the field of pediatric congenital heart disease. The important sessions, cutting-edge research reports, and collaborative discussions will have a significant impact on the field. The CHD journal is committed to actively supporting the publication of these valuable findings, fulfilling our mission to advance knowledge in the global field of congenital heart disease, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for children with congenital heart disease.