Vascular Voices: Xu Ye, M.D., Ph.D (China)

In this new series, World Thrombosis Day (WTD) shares interviews with members of its scientific Steering Committee. In today’s profile, learn about Xu Ye, M.D., Ph.D., hematology directing doctor at the Department of Hematology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in the hematology field?

I graduated from the Sun-Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences in China more than 30 years ago. I was assigned to the Department of Internal Medicine and I was asked to choose specialty for development. At that time, there were not many good therapeutic methods for most of patients with malignant hematologic diseases, especially leukemia. I chose the specialty of hematology because I wished to dedicate myself to the study on pathogenesis exploration and development of better therapeutic measures for patients.

What is an average day like for you in the clinic? What type of patients do you see?

I spend most of the time seeing hospitalized patients in the wards of hematology. I have three half-day specialty clinics for outpatients with hematologic disease. I am very busy every day. I see various types of hematologic disease and several kinds of non-hematologic diseases.

What inspired you to join the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee?

More than 10 years ago, I had several patients with pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. My superior encouraged me to study on the pathogenesis of thrombophilia. I had been to the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China to do further studies on the pathogenesis of thrombophilia. I have been interested in the area of hemostasis and thrombosis and involved in the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases since then. Joining the WTD Steering Committee is a good chance for me to continue to promote the prevention of thrombosis here.

How do you rate awareness of thrombosis in China? Is it generally understood among the public?

Thrombosis has been increasingly recognized to be an important health problem during recent years. Nowadays, the doctors have paid attention to this area. But it has not been generally recognizable by the public. So, it is our responsibility to increase the interest and attention of the public so that they can be more aware of the condition and understand it.

What are the biggest challenges you see in thrombosis treatment and prevention?

In my opinion, the first challenge in thrombosis treatment and prevention is how to promote the basic knowledge to educate both the patients and their relatives. The second challenge should be to explore the pathogenesis underlying thrombosis.

Are you working on any interesting research projects right now?

I am not working on any research projects. But I have found several novel genetic mutations in patients with thrombophilia recently, which need to be elucidated by further study on the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis. I hope that I can find researchers who can collaborate with me to explore it.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I am very busy, so that I don’t have much time to enjoy a hobby. If I have more leisure time, I enjoy singing and drawing.