Heart Matters: Recent Episodes
ReachMD
Since cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., cardiology physicians are continuously working to better understand this common disease and to help patients improve their heart health. And here to assist cardiology physicians in this mission is Heart Matters, a series dedicated to covering essential strategies and research efforts focusing on all types of heart problems, including coronary artery diseases, heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more. So whether you’re looking for ways to improve heart health or catch up on the latest cardiology research, you never have to worry about missing a beat thanks to Heart Matters.
Host: Ty J. Gluckman, MD, MHA, FACC, FAHA, FASPC
Host: Rishi Wadhera, MD, MPP, Mphil
This on-demand knowledge primer explores key challenges and evidence-based strategies for improving atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) management in rural populations. Led by two expert faculty members, the program provides a comprehensive overview of disparities in ASCVD care, guideline-directed therapies, and practical approaches to overcoming barriers in rural settings. Participants will gain essential knowledge to enhance patient outcomes and optimize cardiovascular care in underserved communities.
Host: Saurabh Malhotra, MD, MPH
Guest: Kevin Alexander, MD
Guest: Tawfiq Al-lahham, MD
Guest: Sarah Cuddy, MD
Guest: Angela Dispenzieri, MD
Guest: Anita D’Souza, MD
Guest: Foluso Fakorede, MD
Guest: Mazen Hanna, MD
Guest: Isabelle Lousada
Guest: Ahmad Masri, MD, MS
Guest: Mathew S. Maurer, MD
Guest: Matthew Parker, MD
Guest: Frederick Ruberg, MD
Guest: Andrew Staron, MD
Guest: Prem Soman, MD, PhD
Guest: Jonathan Wall, PhD
Guest: Ashutosh Wechalekar, MBBS, MD
Guest: Panithaya Chareonthaitawee, MD
The Masterclass in Cardiac Amyloidosis: Disease Spectrum, Diagnosis and Management will consist of four virtual live sessions on March 7-9, 2025. The case-based sessions will provide an in-depth discussion of cardiac amyloidosis and its pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques and pitfalls, management strategies, mechanisms to facilitate early diagnosis, treatment and management, and challenging case studies presented by leading internationally recognized experts in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
Host: Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, FACC, FAHA , FASPC, FNLA, FPCNA
A concerning number of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) reached suboptimal LDL-C levels between 2021 and 2022. Even with new strategies that can help lower LDL-C, an analysis of over 3 million ASCVD patients in the Family Heart Database shows that these treatments are not being properly utilized. Join Dr. Keith C. Ferdinand as he delves into an analysis of management trends among these patients, which he presented at the 2024 Family Heart Foundation Global Summit. Dr. Ferdinand is a Professor of Medicine and the Gerald S. Berenson Endowed Chair in Preventative Cardiology at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Wilson Tang, MD
Many different artificial sweeteners are being consumed by patients; however, this discussion will focus on research around one that has been used in the food industry for a long time, called erythritol. Interestingly, it was found that patients with cardiac problems had the highest levels of erythritol levels in their blood, which prompted further studies on this association. So to learn more about the impact of artificial sweeteners on heart disease and how we can guide patients into consuming less, join Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley as she speaks with Dr. Wilson Tang, Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and Co-Author of the article, titled “The Artificial Sweetener Erythritol and Cardiovascular Event Risk,” published in Nature Medicine in February 2023.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Jeffrey Wilson, MD
There’s a decent amount of evidence showing allergic immune responses could have connections with heart disease. But with the knowledge gaps that exist, a need for bigger cohorts is necessary to get more information and data. So to explore the link between allergic reactions from food and heart disease, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Allergist and Immunologist in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology at the University of Virginia.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Michael J. LaMonte, PhD, MPH
The American Heart Association recommends physical activity to help lower the risk of heart failure, but how much exercise is needed, especially for older women, to lower that risk? According to a recent study, even just low-intensity exercise for 30 minutes is associated with a 25 percent lower risk of overall heart failure. Dive further into the findings with Dr. Javed Bulter and Dr. Michael LaMonte, a Research Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University of Buffalo.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Chiadi Ndumele, M.D., Ph.D., M.H.S.
For the first time, the American Heart Association (AHA) has identified cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which reflects a strong overlap between heart disease, kidney disease, and obesity. The major clinical consequence of CKM syndrome is multi-organ dysfunction with a particularly high incidence and burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the result of this is premature morbidity and mortality. So as a result, recognizing CKM syndrome is the first step in earlier diagnosis and treatment. Dive into this episode with Dr. Javed Butler who’s joined by Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Research at Johns Hopkins University.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Dave L. Dixon, PharmD, FACC, FCCP, FNLA, BCPS, BCACP, CDE, CLS
What would the cost-effectiveness look like if the uptake of a pharmacist-prescribing model for hypertension were to be put into practice? A new study shows that a pharmacist-prescribing method could have significant economic impact on the U.S. healthcare system. Dive in with Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley as she speaks with Dr. Dave Dixon, Nancy L. and Ronald H. McFarlane Professor of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, to discuss the findings from the study, titled “Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacist Prescribing for Managing Hypertension in the United States,” which was published in JAMA Network.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
There’s no approved therapies specifically targeting obesity and HFpEF, but based on the STEP-HFpEF study that was presented at the 2023 ESC Congress, the treatment option semaglutide improves heart failure-related symptoms, physical function, and weight loss among patients with HFpEF and obesity. Here to walk through the study’s key findings with Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley is fellow ReachMD host, Dr. Javed Butler, President of Baylor Scott and White Research Institute in Dallas, Texas.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Steve Grinspoon, MD
The risk of cardiovascular disease is twice as great among patients living with HIV, and this could partly be due to traditional risk factors, along with nontraditional risk factors. Here to discuss the results from the REPRIEVE study with Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley is Dr. Steve Grinspoon, Co-Principal Investigator and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA
The National Lipid Association (NLA) recently published updated recommendations for lifestyle therapies to manage three common dyslipidemias in adults. To discuss this, Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley is joined by Dr. Carol Kirkpatrick, Clinical Lipid Specialist and Clinical Scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Steve Grinspoon, MD
Many studies over the last few years have shown that the risks of cardiovascular disease have increased between 50 to 100 percent among patients with HIV. So what steps need to be taken to help reduce this risk for our patients? Here to discuss what we need to know is Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley and Dr. Steven Grinspoon, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Metabolism Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Maya S. Safarova, MD, PhD, FNLA
Learn which patients with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) would benefit from this group of medication. In this episode, Dr. Alan Brown is joined by Dr. Maya Safarova, Chief Fellow in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to discuss the benefits of non-statin LDL lowering therapies.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Both clinical trials for lowering Lp(a) had patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Join in for a further discussion on important updates presented at the 2023 National Lipid Association Meeting with Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley and fellow ReachMD host, Dr. Alan Brown, Past President of the National Lipid Association.
Elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is the most common inherited dyslipidemia that can drive the atherosclerotic process. So at what age does Lp(a) impact a patient’s life? To find out more, tune into this episode sponsored by Novartis.
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
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Guest: Santica Marcovina, PhD, ScD
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a unique apoB family lipoprotein that contains apo(a), which is a peculiar carbohydrate-rich protein covalently bound to an apoB lipoprotein. So are elevated Lp(a) levels a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease? Dive into this episode, sponsored by Novartis, to find out.
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
6/23 278623
It’s estimated that 20 percent of the world’s population has elevated Lp(a) greater than 50 milligrams per deciliter. Lp(a) is an independent, genetic, and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. For more insights, tune into this episode sponsored by Novartis.
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
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Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: John W. MacArthur
With many barriers standing in the way of people in the United States who need a heart transplant, fewer than 10 percent of patients actually receive this life-saving surgery according to Stanford Medicine. Therefore, surgeons are working on different techniques to increase the pool of healthy donated hearts. To speak more about this, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. John MacArthur, Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford School of Medicine.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Pedro A Villablanca Spinetto, MD
A complex condition known as tricuspid valve regurgitation may cause concern for patients as it typically doesn’t show signs or symptoms until the disease is severe. So what technologies and therapies do we have to look forward to? Join Dr. Javed Butler as he speaks with Dr. Pedro Villablanca, Structural Heart Interventional Cardiologist at Henry Ford Health.
Host: Saurabh Malhotra, MD, MPH
The Masterclass in Cardiac Amyloidosis: Disease Spectrum, Diagnosis and Management will consist of five 2.5-hour virtual live sessions, June 2-4, 2023. The case-based sessions will provide an in-depth discussion of cardiac amyloidosis and its pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques and pitfalls, management strategies, mechanisms to facilitate early diagnosis, treatment and management, and challenging case studies presented by leading internationally recognized experts in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
Guest: Patricia A. Pellikka, M.D.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has several applications in cardiology, such as echocardiography. Can machine learning and AI algorithms in echocardiology help clinicians better detect heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)? Dr. Patricia A. Pellikka, Director of the Ultrasound Research Center at the Mayo Clinic, shares data from ACC.23 and explores the potential of AI in detecting HFpEF.
Guest: Paul Sorajja, MD
TRILUMINATE was the first trial to take a look at the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) reduction on patients, and its results may lead to significant improvements in care and quality of life. To learn more about this trial, Dr. Paul Sorajja from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation details the key findings from this trial and explores their impact.
Guest: Ana Barac, MD, PhD
The American College of Cardiology's 72nd Scientific Session & Expo featured the latest advancements in all fields of cardiovascular medicine, including cardio-oncology. To learn more, Dr. Javed Butler sits down with Dr. Ana Barac from the MedStar Washington Hospital Center to take a look at clinical data from the STOP-CA trial.
Host: Marius M. Hoeper
A recent study explored the safety and efficacy of sotatercept on top of background pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapy. To learn more about this clinical data, Dr. Marius M. Hoeper, a Professor of Medicine and the Deputy Director of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany, dives into the results of this trial and explores how they may impact patients with PAH.
According to the CDC, patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or patients who show signs of coronary heart disease are at an increased chance of having heart attack, stroke, and aortic stenosis due to high levels of lipoprotein(a). So how can me manage lipoprotein(a) in our patients? To discuss this, Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley is joined by fellow ReachMD host Dr. Alan Brown, who’s also the Director of the Division of Cardiology and the Lipid Clinic at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Kevin C. Maki, PhD, FNLA, CLS
At the American College of Cardiology's 72nd Annual Scientific Session & Expo, cardiologists will gather to explore the latest advancements in the field. Joining us to share what you can expect to learn about statin intolerance at their upcoming session are Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley and Dr. Kevin Maki.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Laney K. Jones, PharmD, MPH
Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease at a young age. So what’s on the horizon for using implementation science strategies in treating patients with FH? Learn more about implementation science as Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley discusses this with Dr. Laney Jones, Associate Professor at Geisinger’s Department of Genomic Health.
Host: Mary Katherine Cheeley, PharmD, BCPS, CLS, FNLA
Guest: Lauren Williams, MCN,RD,LD
Kids with dyslipidemia don’t have much different nutritional needs than other young kids their age. However, there are a few key things to be aware of. So how can clinicians meet families where they are to improve their diet? Dive into the unique needs of youth with dyslipidemia as Dr. Mary Katherine Cheeley is joined by Lauren Williams, Class II Clinical Dietician at Cook Children’s Health System.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Luke Laffin, MD
Six commonly used supplements thought to improve patients’ cholesterol may be doing more harm than good. So what do we need to know about these supplements? To walk us through the results of the SPORT trial, Dr. Matthew Sorrentino is joined by Dr. Luke Laffin, Co-Director of the Center for Blood Pressure Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Scott Solomon, MD
Dapagliflozin in heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (DELIVER trial) is a study designed to assess the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with higher left ventricular ejection fraction. To help lead the discussion on the results of this study, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Scott Solomon, lead study author and Director of the Clinical Trials Outcomes Center and the Edward D. Frohlich Distinguished Chair at Harvard Medical School.
Host: Ajay K. Singh, MBBS, FRCP, MBA
Guest: Kirsten L. Johansen, MD
Anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is persistently undermanaged because current treatments have been linked with an increased risk for major cardiovascular events. They are also injectable or intravenous and definitely invasive, which no doubt limits patient acceptance.
Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) are a novel class of small-molecule oral drugs in late-phase development and under review by the FDA that are poised to provide an alternative treatment paradigm for patients with CKD-related anemia. Physicians and other clinicians who manage patients with anemia in CKD will need to be familiar with these novel agents and the data supporting their use in appropriately selected patients.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Michael A. Solomon, MD, MBA
Guest: Sean Agbor-Enoh, MD, PhD
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, and even fatal, condition that can impair the chest and lungs. But could a new blood test help us better assess disease severity and survivability in patients with PAH? To dive deeper into this topic, Dr. Matthew Sorrentino is joined by Dr. Michael Solomon and Dr. Sean Agbor-Enoh from the National Institutes of Health.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Yehuda Handelsman, MD
The National Lipid Association (NLA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently provided recommendations to help us achieve optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in statin-intolerant patients, but what other management strategies are available? Joining Dr. Charles Turck to answer this question and to give more key insights is Dr. Yehuda Handelsman, Medical Director and Principal Investigator at the Metabolic Institute of America.
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Vallerie V. Mclaughlin, MD
Join Dr. John Russell as he speaks about diagnosing and treating pulmonary arterial hypertension using the latest pharmacologic and medical management strategies with Dr. Valerie McLaughlin, Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the University of Michigan.
Host: Hector O. Chapa, MD, FACOG
Guest: Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 5 to 13 percent of women in the general population. And although previous research has shown its link to cardiovascular (CV) risk factors later in life, a new study has revealed that PCOS can increase the risk of heart complications during delivery. So what do these findings mean when it comes to caring for pregnant patients with PCOS? Find out with Dr. Hector Chapa as he’s joined by lead author of the study Dr. Erin Michos, who's the Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Health and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Sameed Khatana, MD, MPH
As global temperatures continue to rise, experts are calling attention to the devastating effects this can have on human health. Cardiovascular mortality is especially a concern, as two recent studies from the University of Pennsylvania outlined the connection between these two health risks. To learn more about how climate change can impact our cardiovascular health, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Sameed Khatana, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a physician at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Alice White, PhD
Guest: Christopher Chen, MD, PhD
There is currently no safe way to get a close-up view of the human heart, which is exactly why a team of Boston University researchers created a device to mimic the human organ. So how does the new device called miniPUMP work, and how was it developed? To discuss this, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Alice White and Dr. Christopher Chen from Boston University.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Tariq Ahmad, MD, MPH
The Pragmatic Trial of Messaging to Providers About Treatment in Heart Failure (PROMPT-HF) was designed to test the hypothesis that tailored and targeted electronic health record alerts recommending guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for patients with heart failure (HF) would result in greater adherence to medication use. Explore the trial’s findings with Dr. Javed Butler and Dr. Tariq Ahmad, Director of the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program and Chief of Heart Failure at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Justin Ezekowitz, MD, MBBCh, MSc
The Study of Dietary Intervention under 100 millimole in Heart Failure (SODIUM-HF) trial was designed to assess the effects of a low-sodium diet on adverse cardiovascular events. So what were the study’s findings, and what do they mean for our patients with heart failure? Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, who shared the SODIUM-HF trial results at the 2022 American of Cardiology Annual Scientific Meeting.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: John Cleland, MD
Guest: Fraser Graham, MD
Iron deficiency is one of the most frequent comorbidities in patients with heart failure and is estimated to present in up to 50 percent of patients. So what’s the criteria for iron deficiency, and how is it currently defined in cardiology? To discuss this, Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Drs. John Cleland and Fraser Graham from the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Mikhail Kosiborod, MD
With the prevalence of heart failure continuing to rise worldwide, recent trials have shown that sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may improve impairments and decrease the risk of hospitalizations. So based on these recent findings, what exactly is their role in the management of patients with heart failure? Find out with Dr. Javed Butler as he speaks with Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, Professor of Medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Vice-President of Research at Saint Luke's Health System.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, FHFSA, FAAN
Based on the 2021 American College of Cardiology Expert Consensus Decision Pathway recommendations, it might be time to rethink our approach to heart failure. But what exactly do the latest recommendations say regarding the role of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis) in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction? Joining Dr. Javed Butler to answer that key question is Dr. Nancy Albert.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Jonathan D. Rich, MD
Guest: Paul Doghramji, MD
According to recent data, more than 50 percent of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are hospitalized. Given that troubling statistic, how can we as clinicians work together to reduce the risk of hospitalization among patients with HFpEF? Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share their multidisciplinary perspectives on this important topic are cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Rich and primary care provider Dr. Paul Doghramji.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: William W. Li, MD
Some patients who recover from COVID-19 may continue to experience long-term cardiovascular complications. So what symptoms should we be looking out for? Joining Dr. Matthew Sorrentino to discuss the long-term cardiovascular impacts of COVID-19 is Dr. William Li.
Host: Hector O. Chapa, MD, FACOG
Guest: Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Guest: Anum Minhas, MD, MHS
Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the United States, and from a global perspective, hypertensive complications during pregnancy result in 50,000 maternal deaths each and every year. This, along with the increasing rates of peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnoses, is why a new subspeciality of cardiology is needed. So what exactly is cardio-obstetrics? To learn more about how this emerging subspecialty is helping to provide better care for our pregnant and postpartum patients, Dr. Hector Chapa speaks with Drs. Erin Michos and Anum Minhas.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
In a groundbreaking procedure, a 57-year-old man with life-threatening heart disease received a heart from a genetically altered pig. Surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed the 8-hour operation, making it the first successful transplant of a pig's heart into a human being. And while much is still uncertain, what could this achievement mean for the future of organ transplantation? That’s what ReachMD hosts Dr. Matthew Sorrentino and Dr. Javed Butler explore together.
Please note: Since the date of publication, David Bennet, the patient who received a heart transplant from a pig, died at the age of 57 at the University of Maryland Medical Center on March 8, 2022.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Joseph Marek, MD
Sudden cardiac death is rare in younger patients, but it remains one of the leading causes of death in young athletes. To learn more about this, Dr. Alan Brown is joined by Dr. Joseph Marek, Clinical Cardiologist and Senior Medical Director of Cardiopulmonary Service at Advocate Medical Group, to share how his foundation, Young Hearts 4 Life, is working to increase awareness for sudden cardiac arrest and provide young athletes resources.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Faiez Zannad, MD, PhD
What do we need to know about the relationship between heart failure and ejection fraction? Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Faiez Zannad, Emeritus Professor of Cardiology at Université of Lorraine, to discuss current updates in ejection fraction and share what we need to know.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH
Can cardiac rehabilitation programs play a role in the management of breast cancer survivors? Dr. Maryam Lustberg, Chief of Breast Medical Oncology and the Director of The Breast Cancer Center at Smilow Yale Cancer Center, shares the common risk factors between cardiovascular disease and cancer and why these types of programs are beneficial to patient care.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Ileana L. Piña, MD, MPH, FAHA, FACC
Not all patient subgroups respond to medication the same way, making equal representation in clinical trials essential. Dr. Javed Butler is joined by Dr. Ileana Piña, a Heart Failure Cardiologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Central Michigan University, to talk about how we can improve diversity in cardiovascular clinical trials.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Sheng Xu, PhD
Sheng Xu, Professor of Nanoengineering, Bioengineering, Computer and Electrical Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, meets with Dr. Alan Brown to discuss his innovative technology to change the way we predict cardiovascular risks.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Yvonne Michael, ScD, SM
Dr. Yvonne Michael, an Associate Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, discusses risk factors that we should take into consideration when examining postmenopausal patients with coronary heart disease.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Dustin Sulak, DO
Dr. Dustin Sulak, an integrative medicine physician specializing in osteopathy, mind-body medicine, and medical cannabis, talks about the impact of cannabis on the cardiovascular system.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Heval M. Kelli, MD
Guest: Alan Amedi
What do we need to know about a career in cardiology? Dr. Alan Brown meets with Dr. Heval Kelli, a cardiologist at the Northside Hospital in Atlanta, and Alan Amedi, a first-year medical school student at Emory University, to explore their experiences in the cardiology field and learn about their perspectives on training.
Guest: Nanette K. Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA
What do we need to know about cardiovascular complications during pregnancy? Dr. Nanette Wenger, a Professor of Medicine in the division of cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine, reviews what cardiologists know about pregnancy complications and the risk of coronary artery disease.
Guest: Yvonne Michael, ScD, SM
Dr. Yvonne Michael, an Associate Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, shares her findings and discusses preventative measures we can share with postmenopausal patients to help them combat risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: James MacNamara, MD
How does the long-term absence of gravity impact our hearts? Is there anything we can do to protect our cardiovascular health in outer space, and what insights can this research teach us about how our heart health here is on earth? Joining Dr. Matthew Sorrentino to answer these and other questions is Dr. James MacNamara, an advanced cardiography fellow and author of a recent research paper published in Circulation studying the cardiac effects of extreme duration space flight.
Guest: Nanette K. Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA
Is there a relationship between pregnancy complications and subsequent coronary disease? Dr. Nanette Wenger, a Professor of Medicine in the division of cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine, discusses a recent study exploring this correlation in Black women and shares what cardiologists need to know about pregnancy complications.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, FASE
How much do we understand the non-traditional risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, in women? Dr. Erin Michos, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Women's Cardiovascular Health Center at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, meets with Dr. Alan Brown to review ASCVD risk factors in women.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
There’s no denying that healthcare professionals across all specialties went above and beyond the call of duty during the COVID-19 pandemic. And cardiologists were no exception. That’s why Dr. Matthew Sorrentino is calling attention to those cardiologists who were nominated by their peers for ReachMD’s Heroes in Healthcare initiative.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Salim S. Virani, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, FASPC
What is the leading cause of death worldwide? Dr. Matthew Sorrentino sits down with Dr. Salim Virani, who's a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship director at Baylor, to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted cardiovascular disease globally.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Orlando Chirikian
A recent study revealed that our heart cells undergo changes in space, but what can that tell us about our heart health on Earth? Dr. Matt Sorrentino dives into the Cardinal Heart Study with Orlando Chirikian, a research scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Keith C. Ferdinand, MD
Dr. Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University's Gerald S. Berenson Endowed Chair in Preventive Cardiology and Professor of Medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, joins Dr. Alan Brown to discuss cardiovascular healthcare disparities among African Americans and what we can do to improve access to care.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: C. Michael Gibson, MD, FSCAI
Following a major cardiovascular event, what interventional strategies should we be considering? Dr. Matthew Sorrentino joins Dr. Michael Gibson, a professor of medicine and cardiology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts to discuss antiplatelet and anticoagulation strategies for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Keith C. Ferdinand, MD
Despite decades of research and advancements in cardiology care, racial disparities remain an obstacle. How can we improve access to care and eliminate this disparity? Dr. Alan Brown is joined by Dr. Keith Ferdinand, professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, to discuss what we can do as clinicians to ensure that all of our patients receive the same quality of care.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Eliot Brinton, MD, FAHA, FNLA
What do we need to know about the impact of triglyceride levels? Dr. Elliot Brinton, President at the Utah Lipid Center in Salt Lake City briefly dives into the impact that triglycerides have on our endothelial cells and LDL cholesterol.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Suneet Mittal, MD FACC FHRS
The development of cardiac devices enhanced by wireless remote monitoring has changed the way cardiologists care for their patients. With that in mind, Dr. Matthew Sorrentino discusses remote monitoring in cardiology with Dr. Suneet Mittal, medical director of the Snyder Center for Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation at the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Eliot Brinton, MD, FAHA, FNLA
One of the leading causes of death in the US, cardiovascular disease risk-reduction has neglected triglycerides. To explain why that is, Dr. Matthew Sorrentino discusses approaches to take when reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease with expert guest, Dr. Elliot Brinton, president of the Utah Lipid Center in Salt Lake City.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
With an explosion in new medications to treat diabetes, Heart Matters hosts Dr. Matthew Sorrentino and Dr. Alan Brown sit down to discuss the cardiovascular risk benefits of these new diabetes treatments and how cardiologists can improve patient care.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Anita J. Moon-, MD, FAAP, FACC
Guest: Laxmi Ghimire, MD, FAAP
Dr. Matthew Sorrentino sits down with Dr. Anita Moon-Grady, a pediatric cardiologist at UCSFD, and Dr. Laxmi Ghimire, a pediatric specialist at Lake Region General Hospital to discuss the results from their recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, focusing on the prevalence of congenital heart disease in conjoined twins and higher-order multiple births.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Arun Sharma, PhD
Can low gravity and space flight impact our cardiac function? Dr. Arun Sharma, a stem cell biologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California, joins Dr. Alan Brown to discuss the impact of outer space on the heart.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
The development of statin medications has pushed preventative treatment to the forefront of cardiology. How have advancements in prevention impacted the field? Heart Matters hosts Dr. Matthew Sorrentino and Dr. Alan Brown sit down to discuss prevention in cardiovascular disease and how cardiologist treat their patients.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA, FASE
Dr. Matthew Sorrentino sits down with Dr. Erin Michos, an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of Women’s Cardiovascular Health and the Associate Director of Preventive Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Medicine to discuss the ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines, originally released in 2013 and updated in 2018.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Heval M. Kelli, MD
Dr. Matthew Sorrentino sits down with Dr. Heval Kelli, a cardiologist who specializes in general non-invasive cardiology and preventive cardiology at Northside Hospital, to discuss his recent nomination for ReachMD’s Heroes in Healthcare Initiative, honoring those recognized by their peers for outstanding contributions to medical care.
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH
Guest: Nanette K. Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA
Previously thought to mostly affect men, heart disease puts an equal or greater number of women at risk. What do we need to know about protecting them from this life-threatening condition? Dr. Nanette Wenger, a Professor of Medicine in the division of cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine, joins us to discuss the prevalence of heart disease among women.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
As the field of healthcare continues to change, how will the future of preventative cardiology be impacted? Join our Heart Matters hosts, Dr. Alan Brown and Dr. Mathew Sorrentino, as they sit down to discuss their experiences in preventative cardiology and the future of the healthcare system.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Developments in the healthcare community have changed the field of preventative cardiology. But how have they impacted cardiology care? Heart Matters hosts Dr. Alan Brown and Dr. Mathew Sorrentino examine adherence to medicine, improvements to compliance, and new entries into the marketplace surrounding cardiology.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Nosheen Reza, MD
While the field of cardiology has grown to become more inclusive, female-led research and diversity in study participants remain limited. How can we better understand this lack of representation? Tune in as Dr. Matthew Sorrentino explores a recent study on gender disparities in heart failure research with Dr. Nosheen Reza.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Daniel T. Lackland DrPH
For decades, news reports have focused on the prevalence of high blood pressure among adults in the U.S. But a recent study claims that blood pressure among these adults has actually decreased between 1960 and 2005. Here to divulge the surprising results of his study and discuss systolic blood pressure improvements in adults in the U.S. is Dr. Daniel Lackland.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Laetitia Guillemette, MSc, PhD
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States and may impact young adults earlier than we think. Maybe even before they’re born. Joining Dr. Matthew Sorrentino is Dr. Laetitia Guillemette, who discusses her study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal investigating the relationship between exposure to diabetes in the womb and heart disease in young adults and teenagers.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Jennifer N. Avari Silva, MD
Each year, more than 75 thousand cardiac ablation procedures are performed in the United States alone. Could something straight out of a science-fiction movie like holograms help improve physician accuracy and reduce the complications typically associated with this procedure? Talk a walk on the futuristic side of medicine with Dr. Matthew Sorrentino and Dr. Jennifer Silva, who co-led a team that tested a unique headset using mixed reality technology during cardiac ablation procedures at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Jennifer N. Avari Silva, MD
While we know that the lungs are deeply affected by COVID-19, they’re far from the only organ to be ravaged by this disease. Dr. Richard Vander Heide, Professor and Director of Pathology Research at LSU Health, New Orleans School of Medicine, joins Dr. Alan Brown to discuss how he led a team of pathologists that performed autopsies on COVID-19 patients to discover the resulting cardiac changes.
Host: Matthew Sorrentino, MD
Guest: Jennifer N. Avari Silva, MD
Understanding how and why arteries age has baffled doctors for years, but a recent study may have the answers we’ve been looking for. Dr. Vienna Brunt, a post-doctorate fellow in the Department of Integrated Physiology of Aging Lab at the University of Colorado in Boulder, walks us through her study published in the journal Hypertension exploring how a compound produced in the gut called “trimethylamine N-oxide” can harm the endothelial lining of our arteries and increase the risk of heart disease with aging.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Peter Nagele, MD
Time is of the essence after cardiac arrest; action must be taken within five minutes. Survival rates for patients who arrest outside the hospital are disappointing. How do we help patients who arrest in public or (statistically more likely) in the home, where there is no access to medical equipment and medication? Host Dr. Janet Wright talks with Dr. Peter Nagele, chief of the section of trauma anesthesiology in the department of anesthesiology at Washington University in St. Louis, about revised CPR methods without mouth-to-mouth, and what recent research tells us about the potential for these methods to improve outcomes. And what are plans for training the general public?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Gary Mintz, MD
Acute coronary syndromes in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention is the subject of the conversation between guest Dr. Gary Mintz, chief medical officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, an independent, academically focused nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life for people with cardiovascular disease through research and education, and host Dr. Janet Wright. How often do patients who have an acute coronary syndrome have a recurrent event? Their discussion includes protocols, paramaters and outcomes of the PROSPECT trial. The use of ultrasound as well as angiography are also discussed in context to help identify unstable coronary plaques in order to prevent adverse coronary events.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Jeffrey Anderson, MD
Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are common because of a number of factors, not the least of which is a lack of exposure to sunlight. What role does vitamin D play in ensuring cardiovascular health, and should clinicians routinely test patients for such deficiency? Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, vice-chair of research in the department of medicine and associate chief of cardiology and director of cardiovascular research at Intermountain Medical Center, discusses current evidence about vitamin D and the heart, but says more prospective studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D plays an associated or causal role related to cardiovascular health. Is routine vitamin D supplementation useful for protecting cardiovascular health, or should clinicians wait for more evidence? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Dan Roden, MD
Long QT syndrome can be a silent threat. Although not all patients with congenital long QT syndrome develop symptoms, there is potential for dangerous arrhythmia that can cause sudden cardiac death. Can and should genetic testing guide clinicians in diagnosing and treating this condition? Dr. Dan Roden, professor of medicine and pharmacology and assistant vice-chancellor for personalized medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, says the concept of personalized medicine goes beyond genetics; it is also about meeting a patient's goals and individual needs. How can genetic testing help physicians decide which medical therapy might be most appropriate for each patient? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Guest: Joseph Cleveland, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Cardiac surgery can improve quality of life, but it also poses risks for patients over the age of 65. Can a screening test as simple as walking speed predict the outcomes of cardiac surgery for our older patients? Dr. Janet Wright hosts this discussion.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Thad Waites, MD
Obesity is a nationwide epidemic, but this is nowhere more apparent than in Mississippi, which was ranked as the state with the highest obesity rate in 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control. How does the obesity issue in Mississippi mirror that of the rest of the nation, and what efforts are underway to address this public health problem? Dr. Thad Waites, director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and interventional cardiologist at the Hattiesburg Clinic, talks about how each player in the healthcare community can target the obesity epidemic. What initiatives and projects are demonstrating success in lowering obesity rates? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., MD
Some evidence suggests it is possible to prevent and reverse heart disease by adhering to a plant-based diet, but lifestyle changes are often the most challenging for physicians to prescribe and for patients to adopt. What strategies can physicians use to encourage a plant-based diet for patients who have or are at risk for having heart disease? Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, director of the cardiovascular prevention and reversal program at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Lyndhurst, Ohio and author of the book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, surveys the worst culprits of the Western diet responsible for causing heart disease, and describes the crucial role that nitric oxide released from the endothelium plays in protecting blood vessels. Dr. Esselstyn shares his tips and strategies for promoting and, most importantly, following a plant-based diet, in the midst of a culture riddled with nutritionally-questionable foods. Join us for part 2 of our two-part interview with Dr. Esselstyn. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
If you missed Part 1, listen now >>
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: David Kaplan, PhD
Although most bypass grafts are sourced from other parts of a patient's body, bioengineers are examining new materials that might be used for bypass grafts to reduce the risk of second-site complications. Silk has been a standard material in sutures for decades, and is now showing promise as a biomaterial in bypass grafts. Might silkworms help repair clogged arteries? Dr. David Kaplan, endowed chair, the Stern Family Professor of Engineering, and professor & chair of the department of biomedical engineering at Tufts University, discusses the advantages of silk protein as a biomaterial and related applications to cardiology. When might this new technology be applied from the bench to the bedside? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Robert Harrington, MD
Recent studies have raised doubts about the efficacy of some common treatments for cardiovascular disease, including: the use of PFO closures (based on the CLOSURE trial); some methods of cardiac resynchronization therapy (or CRT, based on the SMART-AV trial); telemonitoring for patients with congestive heart failure (based on the Tele-HF trial); and doubling the dose of clopidogrel in patients who had a poor response to the drug after percutaneous coronary intervention (based on the GRAVITAS trial). Dr. Robert Harrington, director of the Duke Clinical Research Institute at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, reviews the evidence in each of these trials, and gauges the clinical impact of their findings. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Rashi Fein, PhD
What can we learn from the past century of healthcare policy that can better inform how we develop such policies today? How has the landscape of medicine and economics surrounding health policy changed, and how have these changes influenced health policy? Join host Dr. Jack Lewin as he welcomes guest Dr. Rashi Fein, professor of the economics of medicine emeritus in the department of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and author of the book, Learning Lessons: Medicine, Economics and Public Policy. Although the Affordable Care Act is thousands of pages in length, Dr. Fein suggests that policy makers "keep it simple," even with the most complex health policy issues, in order to have an efficient system that is easy to implement. How can such complicated health policy issues be clearly explained?
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Harry Greenspun, MD
Will healthcare reform do enough to alleviate the current problems in our system, or is the entire delivery model in need of a substantial re-design? Dr. Harry Greenspun, chief medical officer of Dell Services and co-author of the book Reengineering Health Care: A Manifesto for Radically Rethinking Health Care Delivery, says that while health care reform has changed payment models, reform has not done enough to change the delivery system. What elements of our current system are most in need of re-engineering, and how have some organizations successfully transformed their delivery models? Dr. Jack Lewin hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Guest: Michael Steinman, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
One of the characteristics of our older patients with heart failure is that they often have other conditions and therefore take multiple medications. How can we reduce the risk of adverse drug events among patients with heart failure and other comorbidities? Dr. Michael Steinman, associate professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco and the San Francisco VA Medical Center discusses the challenge of managing medications for older patients with heart failure and offers his ideas on how to reduce drug interactions and encourage adherence. How can we better coordinate care between physicians to optimize care for patients with heart failure? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
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Guest: Richard Lange, MD, MBA
Host: Janet Wright, MD
First generation drug-eluting stents offer many advantages over bare metal stents, the most significant of which is their efficacy in reducing the rate of restenosis. Now second generation drug-eluting stents are proving to be even more beneficial. How are these second generation drug-eluting stents further reducing the risk of late stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization? Dr. Richard Lange, professor and executive vice chairman of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center, in San Antonio, Texas, discusses the structural and molecular differences between first and second generation drug-eluting stents. With all the advantages of the newer stents, however, there is also an increased cost. Are second generation drug-eluting stents enough of an improvement upon their first generation counterparts to warrant the higher cost? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., MD
Beta blockers, anticoagulants, stenting procedures and bypass surgeries: these are all crucial cornerstones of cardiology that have saved and improved the quality of lives for our patients, yet the underlying causes of coronary artery disease aren't addressed by interventions and medications. Can we prevent and maybe even reverse heart disease by prescribing a plant-based diet? Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, director of the cardiovascular prevention and reversal program at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute and author of the book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, says heart disease is "an essentially benign, food-borne illness," that can be prevented by adhering to a diet based around plants. What evidence supports this idea? Join us for part 1 of our two-part interview with Dr. Esselstyn. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
For Part 2 of this interview, click here >>
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: James Scheulen, PA-C
Guest: Jeffrey Trost, MD
Door-to-balloon time for a patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (or STEMI) should be less than 90 minutes. Wireless electrocardiography (or EKG) programs around the country are helping to reduce door-to-balloon time by transmitting EKG data to hospitals via broadband internet, where a specialist at the hospital makes a diagnosis and prepares to treat the incoming patient. What are some of the challenges, and advantages, of such programs? Mr. Jim Scheulen, chief administrative officer for the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine and president of Johns Hopkins Emergency Medical Services, and Dr. Jeffrey Trost, assistant professor in cardiology, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and director of the Interventional Cardiology Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, helped create a Baltimore consortium of hospitals that donated wireless EKG technology to the city's paramedic units. How effective has the Baltimore program been at improving treatment for MI patients, and how is this program similar to others around the country? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Deepak Bhatt, MD
One of the biggest risks of antiplatelet therapy is gastrointestinal bleeding. Because of this risk, patients on the antiplatelet clopidogrel are often prescribed proten pump inhibitors, or PPIs. However, there are also concerns about PPIs decreasing the efficacy of clopidogrel. What approach should physicians take for patients at moderate to high risk for upper GI bleeding? Host Dr. Janet Wright welcomes Dr. Deepak Bhatt, chief of cardiology at the VA Boston Healthcare System, director of the Integrated Interventional Cardiovascular Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital & VA Boston Healthcare System, and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, to discuss evidence about the potential interactions between PPIs and clopidogrel based on findings from the COGENT trial.
Produced in Cooperation with
Guest: Ken Fujise, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Targeted molecular therapy has been successful in cancer therapeutics. How might this approach be applied in cardiology to prevent the development of atherosclerosis? Dr. Ken Fujise, chief of cardiology at University of Texas Medical Branch, where he is also professor of medicine and biochemistry and molecular biology, talks about his preliminary research investigating the role of fortilin in the progression of atherosclerosis and subsequent coronary artery disease. What are the prospects for development of anti-fortilin medication to prevent or slow atherosclerosis? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Guest: Prediman Shah, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
It is apparent to most physicians that patients at high risk for having a cardiovascular event should be screened, but what about those patients who fall into the intermediate risk category (classified using the Framingham risk score)? Dr. Prediman Shah, director of the division of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, suggests that screening asymptomatic, intermediate-risk patients for subclinical atherosclerosis using non-invasive imaging might be beneficial. Dr. Shah also discusses the limitations of relying solely on the Framingham risk score, and recommends additional ways to classify a patient's risk for developing a cardiovascular event. What specific screening tests are best for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Francois de Brantes, MS, MBA
As we all strive to improve quality of care, two crucial questions remain at the heart of the issue: How do we define, and identify, quality in practices, hospitals and other health care settings? Then, how can new methods of identifying quality in practices help improve the standardization of processes and care that patients receive? Join host Dr. Jack Lewin and his guest, Francois de Brantes, executive director of the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute in Newton, Connecticut, which manages the Bridges to Excellence and PROMETHEUS payment programs. Mr. de Brantes talks about the specific data that can help identify quality, and ways to utilize these data to improve and facilitate quality improvement. How does identifying quality in cardiovascular practices coincide with the increasing interest in value-based health care delivery?
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: James Wilentz, MD
Before the January 2010 earthquake rattled Haiti, healthcare access for the country's citizens was unreliable, but after the disaster, everything changed. How has an influx of foreign physicians impacted Haiti's healthcare system, and what lessons can the US learn from the proposed public-private partnership solutions in Haiti? Dr. James Wilentz, assistant professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and co-director of Interventional Cardiovascular Research at Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of New York, volunteered at the General Hospital in Port Au Prince shortly after the disaster struck, and explains the downsides to well-intentioned humanitarian aid. Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Stuart Connolly, MD
Because atrial fibrillation increases the risk for stroke, especially among those with other underlying conditions, what anticoagulation therapies should be considered for these patients? Dr. Stuart Connolly, professor of medicine and director of the division of cardiology and the Salim Yusuf Chair in Cardiology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, weighs the benefits and risks of different anticoagulation therapies, in the context of the recent Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (or, RE-LY) trial. In addition to the standard warfarin and aspirin anticoagulants, there are now two promising new classes of anticoagulation therapy. How effective is dabigatran, compared to warfarin? What questions do we still need answered about anticoatulantion therapies that will be addressed in the years to come? Hosted by Dr. Janet Wright.
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Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Christopher O'Donnell, MD, MPH
We know that genes play a role in cardiovascular health, but new research has identified specific DNA regions that are associated with risk factors for coronary heart disease. It's estimated that 30-50% of cardiovascular health is influenced by family history or genetics, while the rest is influenced by other environmental factors, diet and exercise. How might these new genetic discoveries lead to new treatment options? Dr. Christopher O'Donnell, associate director and scientific director of the SHARe Project of the Framingham Heart Study at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and associate clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts, talks about his work genotyping the single-nucleotide polymorphisms of large cohort study participants. How are genome-wide association studies leading to discovery of new genes associated with various diseases, and will these findings move us into a new era of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Mark Hlatky, MD
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or ICDs, can be life saving for patients after myocardial infarction, but are also costly and may not be appropriate for all of the hundreds of thousands of patients who have had MI. Which subsets of patients might benefit most from ICDs, and might prophylactic use of ICDs early after MI reduce the risk of cardiac death? Dr. Mark Hlatky, professor of medicine and professor of health research and policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, weighs the comparative-effectiveness research on the efficacy of ICDs for patients early after MI, versus waiting a few months before implanting ICDs or trying other forms of therapy. Outside of implantable devices, what else can physicians do to reduce the risk of death after MI? Hosted by Dr. Janet Wright.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Albert Starr, MD
On the 50th anniversary of the first successful prosthetic mitral valve replacement, how far has cardiac surgery come, and where are we headed? Tune in to hear Dr. Albert Starr, co-founder of the first artificial mitral valve, medical director of the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute, and director of Academic Affairs & Bioscience Development for Providence Health & Services in Portland, Oregon, recounts his first foray into the field of valvular disease and the extraordinary process of inventing the first artificial mitral valve. What complications did Dr. Starr encounter during the design process, and what breakthrough allowed for success in long-term artificial valve replacement? He also discusses the development of what was perhaps one of the first ventures into outcomes research, with the creation of a system for long-term follow up of patients receiving valve replacement. What does Dr. Starr see as the "next big thing" in cardiac surgery? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
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Guest: Sanjay Kaul, MD, MPH
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Atrial-fibrillation, or a-fib, affects nearly 2.5 million patients in the US, and is one of the more common forms of arrhythmia. The antiarrhythmic armamentarium has been expanded to include dronedarone, which was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of a-fib. What's the efficacy and safety of dronedarone, compared to other antiarrhythmic agents, and how should you use it? Dr. Sanjay Kaul, director of the Vascular Physiology and Thrombosis Research Laboratory at the Burns and Allen Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, describes the profile of patients who should be considered candidates for dronedarone therapy. Will dronedarone replace the current gold standard for treating a-fib, amiodarone, and if not, where does dronedarone fit into the management algorithm for a-fib? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
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Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Paul Heidenreich
Sudden cardiac death among high school or college athletes is rare but tragic, and is jarring to families, friends and communities. What additional measures can physicians take to prevent sudden cardiac death among these students? Current guidelines for screening of young athletes in the U.S. do not include electrocardiography but should they, especially in light of recent Italian research about the efficacy of EKG screenings in preventing sudden cardiac death in this population? Dr. Paul Heidenreich, associate professor of medicine (cardiovascular) and associate professor by courtesy of health research and policy, at the Veterens Affairs (VA) Palo Alto Health Care System, and fellow of the Center for Health Policy and the Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research at Stanford University, weighs the benefits and risks of widespread use of ECG's in the screening of young athletes. Is there a reasonable cost effectiveness value to adding ECG to routine screening for these patients, compared to a routine medical history and physical exam? How should physicians discuss the value of ECG screening with young adult athletes and their parents? Hosted by Dr. Janet Wright.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Sidney Smith Jr., MD
New evidence strengthens the link between air pollution and heart disease. How strong is the data suggesting a causal relationship between the two? Dr. Sidney Smith, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Science and Medicine at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill says there are two areas of interest in determining the effect of air pollution on the heart. One area being examined is whether air pollution can trigger acute cardiac events, and the other is whether chronic exposure to air pollution can cause the development of long-term cardiovascular disease. Which patients are most at risk for developing cardiovascular health problems from exposure to particulate matter, and how can patients limit their risk of adverse cardiovascular disease-related events from air pollution, even in urban areas? How does heavy air pollution in developing countries or during exercise impact the heart? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Stephen Kopecky, MD
Drastic lifestyle changes can seem daunting to patients and physicians alike. Fortunately, new research is demonstrating the importance of moderation in improving cardiovascular health. How can small tweaks to a patient's lifestyle have a substantial impact his or her heart health? Dr. Steve Kopecky, cardiologist at Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Health Clinic, specifies some of the minor changes patients can make, and the data demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of these modifications. How can physicians help patients implement these lifestyle changes? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Scott Sharkey, MD
Takotsubo, or stress-induced cardiomyopathy (also known as 'broken heart syndrome'), was first recognized in Japan in the 1990s. Acute emotional or physical stress trigger the condition, which mimics the symptoms of a myocardial infarction (or MI). How can physicians differentiate between stress-induced cardiomyopathy and a more conventional MI, and how is stress-induced cardiomyopathy treated? What characteristics might make a patient more susceptible to developing this condition? Our guest is Dr. Scott Sharkey, senior consulting cardiologist at Minneapolis Heart Institute and director of the Takotsubo cardiomyopathy research program at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation in Minnesota, shares some of the key diagnostic tests for differentiating between stress-induced cardiomyopathy and conventional MI. How common is this condition, and how can we limit the effects of stress-induced cardiomyopathy? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: David Wilber, MD
Although medications are generally first-line therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation, or a-fib, adverse events or inadequate efficacy often make drug therapy suboptimal. How effective is catheter ablation, and should it be considered first-line therapy for some patients? Host Dr. Janet Wright talks with Dr. David Wilber, director of the Cardiovascular Institute and the George M. Eisenberg professor of cardiovascular sciences at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, about recent findings on the efficacy of catheter ablation for a-fib. What are the most significant risks to be aware of when considering catheter ablation therapy?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: John Spertus, MD, MPH
Addressing the totality of care for patients with heart failure is crucial to reducing readmissions. How can physicians better recognize the comorbities that may affect older patients with heart failure in order to improve outcomes? What type of benefits can a more holistic, nuanced approach to managing heart failure offer patients? Dr. John Spertus, cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and clinical director of outcomes research at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, discusses some of the non-traditional patient characteristics and symptoms physicians should consider and address when caring for patients with heart failure, including impaired mobility, dementia and depression. How can physicians promote a multidisciplinary approach to system-based processes when caring for patients with heart failure, and how is health policy impacting the delivery of care? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Mohammad Madjid, MD
When high-risk patients, such as the elderly, develop respiratory infections there can be a cascade effect of inflammation that moves from the lungs to the heart, triggering myocardial infarction (or MI). What is the mechanism by which vaccination might prevent MI? Dr. Mohammed Madjid, senior research scientist at Texas Heart Institute in Houston, explains the cause and effect relationship between the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, and MI. What are the vaccine guideline recommendations for patients with heart disease, and can early use of antibiotics help reduce the risk of infection-related cardiovascular events? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Jim Guest
Recommendations and ratings are a dime a dozen for patients looking for more information about a physician or procedure online, but finding quality, consumer-friendly information that's also reliable can be more of a challenge. What tools can physicians recommend to patients for understanding the implications of both reform and other healthcare matters? Jim Guest, president at CEO of Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, and ConsumerReportsHealth.org, discusses ways physicians can encourage better communication and health literacy with their patients, and stresses the importance of bringing up costs with your patients. How can healthcare ratings based on outcomes data improve quality of care? Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Rita Redberg, MD, MSc
Guest: Bram Zuckerman, MD
The FDA's premarket approval (or PMA) process was first established over 30 years ago, but thanks to technology, the development of devices has dramatically changed since then. How should the FDA modernize its premarket approval process to ensure medical device safety? Guests Dr. Rita Redberg, professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, and director of women's cardiovascular services at the U-C-S-F National Center for Excellence in Women's Health, and Dr. Bram Zuckerman, director of the division of cardiovascular devices at the FDA, discuss current and ongoing research about the quality of the FDA PMA process.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Karol Watson, MD, PhD
When patients present with shortness of breath, physicians often face a quandary: Is it the heart or is it the lungs? What is the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and cardiac function? Are patients with even subclinical emphysema at risk for showing reductions in cardiac output and left ventricular volume? Dr. Karol Watson, director of the Women's Cardiovascular Center, co-director of the program in preventative cardiology, and director for the Center for Cholesterol and Hypertension Management at the University of California Los Angeles, discusses recent findings about mild- to moderate-COPD and cardiac function, and how this new evidence should impact the way physicians diagnose and manage patients with shortness of breath. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Mark McClellan, MD, PhD
Defensive medicine and medical liability concerns create a symbiotic relationship that costs everyone in the medical system. Has healthcare reform legislation addressed the medical malpractice issue, and will it do enough to contain healthcare costs? Dr. Mark McClellan, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution, former commissioner of the FDA and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, discusses the impact of defensive medicine on the healthcare system. Dr. McClellan also suggests that health information technology will play a significant role in bending the healthcare cost curve by ensuring safety, as well as increasing coordination of care and effective communication. Among states have taken up tort reform, how successful have these reforms been at reducing liability pressure and overall healthcare costs? Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Christian Wolpert, MD
It's one thing to produce guidelines, and quite another to encourage guideline adherence. The first step in this might be to gather data about current practices, and then determine ways to standardize treatment and increase access to quality therapy. The European Heart Rhythm Association (a branch of the European Society of Cardiology) conducts an ambitious annual survey of the management of arrhythmia in dozens of European and neighboring countries, which is intended to be a foundation toward standardizing quality of care. Dr. Christian Wolpert, medical director of the department of medicine-cardiology, nephrology and internal intensive care medicine, at Klinikum Ludwigsburg in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and chairman of the National Sciences Committee of the European Society of Cardiology, explains to host Dr. Janet Wright that the disparities are not directly correlated to a country's wealth, but rather, a variety of other factors. Tune in to hear more about ways to reduce the disparities in the practice of electophysiology in Europe and worldwide.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, MD
Childhood obesity is a significant health concern in the US and worldwide. How does obesity impact a child's cardiovascular function and influence future risk of heart disease? Dr. Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, head of the Pediatric Exercise Medicine and Obesity Care Program in the department of pediatrics at the University Hospitals of Geneva in Switzerland, discusses new findings about the effect of a modest amount of physical activity in improving blood pressure, arterial function and arterial wall thickness in obese children. How can clinicians overcome the biggest challenges in encouraging a healthy lifestyle for their pediatric patients?
Produced in Cooperation with
Guest: Randall Thompson, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
It's widely believed that modern behaviors of inactivity, stress and poor diet are primary causes of the development of cardiovascular disease, but history may suggest otherwise. What is new evidence from ancient Egyptian mummies teaching us about heart disease? Dr. Randy Thompson, cardiologist at St. Luke's Hospital Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, shares the exciting findings of his research team in Cairo that found calcification using CT scans to study ancient Egyptian mummies. How likely is it that these mummies died from cardiovascular causes? What do these findings suggest about the etiology of heart disease? Tune in to take a historic look back at cardiovascular disease. Hosted by Dr. Janet Wright.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: David Blumenthal, MD, MPP
Electronic management of health information will someday replace the pen and paper chart. How significant a role will health information technology, or HIT, play in the newly-reformed healthcare system? What incentives are the federal government offering to foster the widespread, meaningful use of or HIT, and more importantly, what qualifies as meaningful use? Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under President Barack Obama, weighs in on the value of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry and explains meaningful use criteria. How can your practice implement an electronic system that will comply with federal meaningful use guidelines? Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.
Guest: Kevin Weiss, MD
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Although the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program may conjure up unpleasant testing jitters, its value to both patients and the medical professional community should not be underestimated. How does MOC improve clinical performance, increase physician accountability and ultimately improve quality of care for patients? How will the MOC program evolve in the future? Dr. Kevin Weiss, president and CEO of the American Board of Medical Specialties, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to discuss the MOC program's areas of competency as well as plans to integrate MOC with health information technology.
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Ralph Brindis, MD, MPH
How will the recently-passed health reform legislation impact cardiologists and other physicians in the next year? What can physicians do to prepare for the changes ahead? Dr. Ralph Brindis, senior advisor for cardiovascular disease for Northern California Kaiser Permanente, clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and president of the American College of Cardiology, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to discuss various elements of health reform, including the further needs for tort reform as well as the sustainable growth rate formula (or SGR) and the need for payment reform. Dr. Brindis also weighs in on the role of registries in measuring success, ensuring quality of care, reducing disparities and decreasing healthcare costs.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Stephen Ubl
How do physicians play a particularly crucial role in the development of medical devices, and how does the device innovation model differ from the drug development model? How can we encourage transparent, ethical relationships between healthcare professionals and the medical device industry, as collaborations between these parties are vital to the development process? Mr. Stephen Ubl, president and CEO of AdvaMed, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, provides an overview of the medical device industry landscape, and stresses the need to reward innovation in order to create the environment for new technologies to thrive. Dr. Jack Lewin hosts.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: John Tooker, MD, MBA, FACP
How can cardiologists and our internal medicine colleagues work together to promote the patient-centered medical home as an efficient strategy for re-organizing care that will reduce costs and improve quality of care? How can we improve communication between specialist and subspecialist providers? Dr. John Tooker, executive vice president and CEO of the American College of Physicians, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to outline some of the best practices and lessons learned from current integrated health systems, and emphasizes the importance of accountable care organizations. Can some of these lessons even apply to more fragmented delivery of care models?
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: Leslie Miller, MD
Options for patients with advanced heart failure used to be limited to heart transplantation, but ventricular assist devices have rapidly evolved into viable treatment options for these patients. How is the newest generation of continuous-flow devices impacting the way we care for patients with advanced heart failure? Which patients are the best candidates for ventricular assist devices, or VADs, and are many patients with VADs now undergoing the procedure as destination therapy, rather than a bridge to transplant? Dr. Leslie Miller, professor and chief of the Integrated Cardiology Programs at Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital and School of Medicine, as well as the Walters Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, tells host Dr. Alfred Bove about the evolution of VADs from pulsatile pumps to continuous flow design, and the various applications for these technologies. Will these devices play a more significant role in the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure in years to come?
Produced in Cooperation with
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: Gregg Stone, MD
Results of a recent study may change the standard of care for patients with acute coronary syndromes. Although clopidogrel is generally the antiplatelet therapy of choice for patients for whom an invasive strategy is planned for treating their acute coronary syndromes, bleeding can be of concern. Prasugrel often presents the same dilemma. Enter, ticagrelor. The PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes, or PLATO, trial compared ticagrelor and clopidogrel, which demonstrated promising results for ticagrelor. Dr. Gregg Stone, professor of medicine and director of research and education at the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at the Columbia University Medical Center, and director of medical research and education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation in New York City, hails the PLATO findings as transformative to the standard of care for acute coronary syndromes. He joins host Dr. Alfred Bove to discuss the new place of ticagrelor among the antiplatelet therapy options.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Mikhail Kosiborod, MD
Elevated blood sugar levels are quite common among even non-diabetic patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (or AMI). Does lowering a patient's glucose level actually improve outcomes, and if so, what glucose-control therapies are most effective for these patients? Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, associate professor of medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and cardiologist at St. Luke's Hospital Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, reviews recent findings about glucose control and AMI with host Dr. Janet Wright.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD
Stem cell therapies across multiple disciplines continue to demonstrate promising results. How successful are autologous cardiac stem cell treatments proving to be at regenerating cardiac tissue after a heart attack? Which patients would be the best candidates for this procedure, and when might this treatment move from clinical trials into the clinic? Dr. Eduardo Marbán, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, developed this procedure, and joins host Dr. Janet Wright to discuss its exciting applications.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Glenn Chertow, MD, MPH
Guest: Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, MD, PhD
We are well aware that the overabundance of processed, frozen and fast foods contribute to many Americans exceeding the recommended daily allowance of sodium. But there are potentially enormous cardiovascular benefits to cutting down on salt intake by even a very modest amount. How can we quantify the actual clinical impact of salt reduction? Dr. Kirstin Bibbins-Domingo, associate professor of medicine and of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco, and Dr. Glenn Chertow, professor of medicine and chief of the division of nephrology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California, discuss findings from their study on the effects of modest salt reduction using a computerized model. How would reducing salt intake cut down on healthcare costs, in addition to promoting better overall public health? Can the health benefits of reducing population-wide salt intake compare to reducing the number of smokers in the US?
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Richard Katz, MD
Use of electronic medical records (EMRs) and personal health records (PHRs) can improve adherence, increase efficiency and better coordinate patient care. What role are health information exchanges playing in the integration of EMRs and PHRs, and how effective are disease management software programs? How can we meet the challenges of integrating health information technology, or HIT, tools into cardiology practices? Dr. Richard Katz, the Bloedorn Professor of Cardiology, director of the division of cardiology at George Washington University Hospital, and director of the George Washington Cardiovascular Institute in Washington, DC, discusses the opportunities to utilize existing and emerging technologies to improve patient care. Dr. Katz also offers pragmatic advice about implementing HIT systems, and reviews current HIT initiatives. Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Chris Kaiser
What payment cuts does the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule include for cardiology? How will these lower reimbursements affect cardiology practices and impact patients' access to care? Chris Kaiser, editor of Cardiovascular Business, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to discuss ways cardiology practices can try to adapt to payment cuts by increasing practice efficiency. How can cardiologists optimize use of health information technology to help their practices thrive and encourage better outcomes, despite these payment cuts? What economic challenges will cardiology practices continue to face? Tune in to hear more.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Michael Ho, MD, PhD
Medication adherence is a significant problem in the US. Patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol can be particularly susceptible to non-adherence, because patients may not experience symptoms that would seem to justify taking medication, and thus may not notice any immediate benefits from their medications. What are some of the other barriers to medication adherence? Dr. Michael Ho, associate professor in the department of medicine at the University of Colorado, Denver, has examined the prevalence of non-adherence, and says that good communication and patient education can go a long way toward encouraging patients to take their medications. Tune in to hear other strategies cardiologists can use to address the issue with patients, including utilization of health information technology. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Michael Mooney, MD
Therapeutic hypothermia is a relatively new treatment option for patients who suffer cardiac arrest, that can significantly improve neurologic outcomes. What factors determine the success of cooling therapy for cardiac arrest, and what resources does the procedure require? Dr. Michael Mooney, Director of Interventional Cardiology, Minneapolis Cardiology Associates, at Minneapolis Heart Institute / Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minnesota, explores the indications for therapeutic hypothermia with host Dr. Janet Wright. Might therapeutic hypothermia be approached with a strategy similar to initiatives aimed at reducing door-to-balloon time for ST-elevation MI?
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: Howard Eisen, MD
There are many potential options for treating left ventricular dysfunction, from medical to device therapies. Dr. Howard Eisen, Thomas J. Vischer Professor of Medicine and chief of the division of cardiology at Drexel University College of Medicine and Hahnemann University Hospital, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, outlines the roles of bypass surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac resynchronization, surgical ventricular reconstruction and pharmacologic therapies for treating this condition. Specifically, he describes results of the recent Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure, or STITCH, trial, and also tells us about the various ventricular-assist device options currently available. Dr. Alfred Bove hosts.
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: Jeffrey Olin, DO
Fibromuscular dysplasia, most commonly found in the renal or carotid arteries, often goes undiagnosed, even though the condition may affect three- to five-percent of the U.S. patient population. What are symptoms of FMD, and in what patients should physicians screen for FMD, despite the absence of symptom presentation? Dr. Jeffrey Olin, professor of cardiology and director of vascular medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, offers his insights on FMD, as Dr. Olin has dedicated much of his professional career to spreading awareness about the condition. Dr. Alfred Bove hosts.
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: William Dec, MD
Correcting anemia or iron deficiency in patients with heart failure has been shown to improve mortality and quality of life. Among patients with heart failure, how common are anemia and iron deficiency? What type of iron supplementation therapy is most effective? Dr. William Dec, chief of the cardiology division, co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, and the Roman W. DeSanctis Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, discusses the Ferinject Assessment in Patients with Iron Deficiency and Chronic Heart Failure, or FAIR-HF, trial, and shares his excitement about this new potential pharmacologic therapy for patients with heart failure. Hosted by Dr. Alfred Bove.
Host: Alfred Bove, MD
Guest: Charles Love, MD
Defibrillator and pacemaker leads can be challenging to remove or replace, even when the procedure is performed by an experienced cardiologist. Infection, manufacturer recall and device malfunction are all reasons a lead might require extraction. How can we balance the risks of the procedure with the potential harms of leaving a lead implanted? Dr. Charles Love, professor of clinical medicine in the division of cardiovascular medicine and director of Cardiac Rhythm Device Services at Ohio State University Medical Center, discusses ways to manage the risks of lead extraction with host Dr. Alfred Bove.
Guest: Christopher Cannon, MD
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Previous trials, including the ENHANCE trial, have raised doubts about the clinical benefits of adding ezetimibe to high-dose statin therapy. The ARBITER 6-HALTS trial added further weight to the results of ENHANCE, wherein the ARBITER trial demonstrated that extended-release niacin was superior to ezetimibe as adjunctive therapy to high-dose statins in slowing atherosclerosis. However, this study was not based on clinical outcomes, but rather on measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). In addition, the ARBITER trial was relatively small, based on 208 patients completing the trial. Are these data enough to impact clinical use of ezetimibe and niacin, or should we await results of further large-scale trials? Dr. Christopher Cannon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and editor-in-chief of the American College of Cardiology's Cardiosource, weighs in on these questions and more regarding adjunctive therapy to high-dose statins, with host Dr. Jack Lewin.
Guest: George Halvorson
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
How does an integrated cardiac care model work, and how difficult a process is such a model to implement? What are the various components of the program, and what have the results been? George Halvorson, chairman and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente and author of the book Healthcare Will Not Reform Itself, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to discuss the advantages of a collaborative care model and the importance of efficient data flow. How might such a systematic, coordinated model impact the discussion of health care reform?
Guest: David Morrow, MD, MPH
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Standard troponin assays can be a crucial tool in diagnosing myocardial infarction, but have also been criticized for their low specificity at the time of presentation. Will newer, more sensitive troponin assays improve early detection and diagnostic accuracy for MI? Even with use of the newer assays, Dr. David Morrow, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, warns that elevated troponin may not necessarily indicate myocardial infarction. What other clinical evidence can physicians use to assess for an acute coronary syndrome? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Judith Hochman, MD
What are the 2009 recommendations for best managing ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI, and the need for percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI? Dr. Judith Hochman, the Harold Snyder Family Professor of Cardiology and clinical chief of cardiology at the New York University (NYU)-New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) Clinical Translational Science Institute, reviews the most significant components of the focused update on management of STEMI and PCI. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Arthur Moss, MD
Although cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended for patients with moderate to severe heart failure and a prolonged QRS interval, is it ever recommended for patients with mild cardiac symptoms? Can prophylactic resynchronization therapy, delivered by an implantable defibrillator, reduce the risk of heart failure or death in those patients with mild cardiac sympotoms? Tune in to hear Dr. Arthur Moss, professor of medicine and director of the Heart Research Follow-Up Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, discuss new findings about whether CRT might play a wider role in the prevention of heart failure. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Aram Chobanian, MD
In recent years, we have developed a sufficient understanding of the mechanisms behind hypertension that has led to the evolution of numerous diagnostic and treatment options. Yet the prevalence of hypertension persists. Why does hypertension continue to disable and kill millions throughout the world, and what can we do to reduce the incidence of this chronic condition? Dr. Aram Chobanian, president emeritus of Boston University, who served as dean of the BU School of Medicine and provost of the BU Medical Campus, discusses the hypertension paradox and suggests more effective strategies for managing the condition. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Gerard R. Martin, MD
Although congenital heart disease is one of the most common birth defects, its complexity has made the accumulation of an evidence base a challenge. The IMPACT registry, which stands for improving pediatric and adult congenital treatments, has been created to fill this information gap, and it is hoped that these data will provide clinical evidence to help guide treatment for pediatric heart disease. Dr. Gerard Martin, senior vice president for the Center for Heart, Lung and Kidney Disease and co-director of the Children’s National Heart Institute at Children’s National Medical Center, discusses how the IMPACT registry might help improve quality outcomes for our younger patients with congenital heart disease. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Donald Berwick, MD, MPP
There are several prominent points of disagreement in today's health reform debate, but one area of general accord involves hospital readmissions: we can (and must) do much better in coordinating the transition and follow-up process for admissions and readmissions — and, if executed properly, this will improve outcomes for our patients. As we embark on a campaign to reduce unnecessary readmissions, Dr. Donald M. Berwick, president and chief executive officer for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), joins host Dr. Jack Lewin for an important conversation about the Hospital-to-Home (H2H) campaign, co-sponsored by IHI and the American College of Cardiology, to apply scientifically-based protocol to keep patients healthy at home once they leave the hospital. Dr. Berwick says the shift won't come by simply telling hospital staff to work harder; instead, we need to use the hard evidence we have to change the paradigm for transition and follow-up care.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Timir Baman, MD
Charitable organizations have been working for years to support the harvesting of pacemakers for implantation in individuals worldwide, for whom these lifesaving and life-prolonging devices otherwise might not be available. It is a practice that is not currently allowed for reuse within the United States, on the grounds that it has not been proven safe and effective. A team of investigators at the University of Michigan, as part of the Project My Heart Your Heart initiative, is hoping to change this perception and increase awareness for donations overseas. It's an endeavor that has generated enthusiasm among patients and families, as well as the funeral directors who would help facilitate this process. One of the researchers, Dr. Timir Baman, a fellow in cardiac electrophysiology at the University of Michigan Hospitals and co-founder of this initiative, joins host Dr. Janet Wright for a fascinating conversation.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Geoffrey Ginsburg, MD, PhD
Patient-centered care is a hot topic in health care these days, though usually when we think of patient-centeredness, our thinking tilts toward aspects of policymaking or system delivery. Host Dr. Janet Wright takes a look at the science side of patient-centered care — the more precise tailoring of therapy known as personalized medicine — with Dr. Geoffrey Ginsburg, founding director of the Center for Genomic Medicine at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy and professor of medicine and pathology at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Ginsburg also shares what he considers to be the top priorities of this field, forging a path from the research to clinical care. How might personalized medicine impact cardiovascular care in the years to come?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: John Alexander, MD, MHS
One of the reported benefits of endoscopic vein harvesting is a lower risk of wound complications following coronary bypass grafting, though it has yet to be established that long-term clinical outcomes for this technique are superior to those achieved using open harvesting under direct vision. New findings suggest a need to weigh short-term benefits against long-term outcomes. Host Dr. Janet Wright talks with Dr. John Alexander, associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and senior author of these findings, which have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. How can the surgeon, cardiologist and patient work together to determine the best course of treatment for each individual undergoing coronary bypass surgery?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: David Sabgir, MD
Sometimes there is nothing more pleasant than a simple walk in the park. Encouraging your patients to take an easy stroll may also be an easy way to improve their cardiovascular health. Many of us have talked many times with our patients about the benefits of a regular exercise program, and yet this talk therapy may not be achieving the desired result. Cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir has moved beyond talk therapy and is literally walking the talk -- by taking his patients to the park, as part of this unique physician-led walking program called Walk With a Doc. Dr. Sagbir joins host Dr. Janet Wright to talk about his Ohio-based organization, which he is working to expand across the country. It may be just prescription we all need.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: John Rumsfeld, MD, PhD
So much of our clinical interaction with patients revolves around the collection, analysis and application of information. On a much broader scale, data registries work to assemble the information from each and every one of these clinical encounters. In this age of information, there is so much data at our fingertips, it is easy to be excited about the potential. How are we harnessing the information available to us, toward the improvement of clinical outcomes? Dr. John Rumsfeld, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and chief science officer for the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, an initiative led by the American College of Cardiology Foundation, talks with host Dr. Jack Lewin.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Glenn Steele, MD, PhD
At some point during the health reform debate, you've probably heard President Obama and others recognize the work of the Geisinger Health System. Through a variety of mechanisms -- among others, charging a flat fee for certain surgical procedures and other high-volume episodes of care, and working hard to integrate services -- Geisinger has been able to bend that all-important cost curve, while also improving the quality of the care they provide. Host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes the physician executive who has overseen this prolonged period of successful innovation, Geisinger President and CEO Dr. Glenn Steele. On a grand scale, how feasible would it be to leverage the innovations developed at Geisinger across the various markets for health care around the United States?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Stefan Jovinge, MD, PhD
A growing body of evidence tells us human cardiomyocytes are capable of endogenous regeneration. The concept has been debated in medicine for some time, but as more data accumulate behind this theory, it is very tempting to think about novel treatment strategies. Dr. Stefan Jovinge, director of the cardiovascular group at the Lund Stem Cell Centre at Lund University in Sweden, associate professor and head of the coronary intensive care unit at Lund University Hospital, talks with host Dr. Janet Wright about his research published in the journal Science which provides compelling evidence of human cardiomyocyte renewal. How might the possibilities of endogenous cardiac cell regeneration change the dynamic of care for conditions like myocardial infarction?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: William Kannel, MD, MPH
Sixty years ago, a group of investigators began an ambitious research project in Framingham, Massachusetts. At the time, we didn't know smoking increased the risk of heart disease. We didn't understand that high cholesterol and hypertension were risk factors for cardiovascular conditions, and we hadn't identified the respective risks and benefits of obesity and exercise relative to heart disease. These pillars of cardiology are known today, in large part, because of the enduring work of the Framingham Heart Study. Host Dr. Janet Wright examines the evolution of Framingham with Dr. William Kannel. One of the original Framingham investigators, from 1950 to the present, Dr. Kannel served as the study's second director from 1966 to 1979. He is also professor emeritus of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.
Guest: Sean Tunis, MD, MSc
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
The Institute of Medicine recently released a list of 100 priority topics for comparative effectiveness research. The first topic on the first page of the report calls for an evaluation of treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation, from surgery or catheter ablation, to pharmacologic therapy. How do we design research to produce an accurate comparison of these treatment options, and what other subjects should stand at the top of our priority list? Dr. Sean Tunis shares his perspective on these questions with host Dr. Jack Lewin. Dr. Tunis, the founding director of the Center for Medical Technology Policy in Baltimore and formerly the director of the Office of Clinical Standards and Quality and chief medical officer for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, says it may not be the spotless level 1 data that proves ideal for improving our evidence base, but rather a broader range of imperfect information that can be shaped for our clinical benefit.
Guest: Karen Davis, PhD
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
The concept of the accountable care organization (ACO) has many things going for it, not the least of which is its name: certainly any entity for care that can encourage more accountability and organization would seem to be something which we can incorporate into our reform movement. But there's more to an ACO than just the name: why might these groups be one of our best options for better quality and reduced costs -- helping patients, providers and hospitals? Dr. Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a national philanthropy engaged in independent health policy research, outlines her vision for ACOs in the future of American healthcare. Dr. Jack Lewin hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Peggy O'Kane
As the debate for health system reform heats up in Washington, we're going to take a break to focus on quality: how to achieve it, how to measure it and how to maintain it. In order to meet these objectives, there are a range of options that would either reward or punish those of us practicing in an attempt to achieve higher levels of quality. Host Dr. Janet Wright probes a litany of ideas in the quality discussion with Peggy O'Kane, founding president of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a leading accrediting organization for health plans.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Mostafa Youssef, MD
This week on Heart Matters, we'll explore the terrain of cardiovascular care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with one of the country's leading experts, Dr. Mostafa Youssef, founding director of the Prince Salman Heart Center at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh. It is a country with vast cultural differences compared to the Western world, and yet we find physicians in Saudi Arabia treating many of the same cardiac conditions that we see in the United States. Host Dr. Janet Wright talks with Dr. Youssef about the challenges of treating a very young population with a high incidence of risk factors and distinctive pathologies, efforts parallel to those in the U.S. to develop information technologies in health care, as well as opportunities to connect with global cardiovascular leaders to continue to improve the quality of care and health outcomes across the country.
Guest: Kim Belshé, MPP
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
California is the largest state in our union. Bigger than a host of nations in many ways, from population to gross domestic product, its sheer size is one of many reasons why the state's health care system is under duress. Despite the state's budget woes, California is one the few states in our union to take significant steps toward health care reform. As national reform efforts begin to take shape, what lessons can we draw from California's experience, to inform future federal policy initiatives? Host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshé for a wide-ranging conversation, covering California's previous attempts at reform, progress toward greater health information technology adaptation across the state and the burden to the healthcare system posed by California's ever-expanding population of undocumented workers and their families.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Harlan Krumholz, MD
The transition from inpatient to outpatient status is a vulnerable spot in our health care system: more than one in four patients with congestive heart failure are back in the hospital within 30 days of discharge, and readmission rates for a host of other conditions are above 20 percent. The right improvements during this transition phase could have a profound impact, reducing the incidence and cost of unnecessary readmissions, and most importantly, improving outcomes for our patients. Dr. Harlan Krumholz, the Harold H. Hines, Jr., Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health at the Yale University School of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Jack Lewin about the new Hospital-to-Home (H2H) initiative to lower rates of unneeded readmissions, and how the field of cardiology can contribute toward improving the hospital discharge process.
Guest: Regina Herzlinger, PhD
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
The role of specialization in our economy dates back to the 18th century. Now fast-forward to healthcare in the present day: one application of specialization is the concept of a focused factory, where care providers focus on one or two specific organs or disease processes. Host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes Dr. Regina Herzlinger, the Nancy R. McPherson Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, for an interesting conversation about the potential role of focused factories in healthcare. We have seen this model take hold in a few areas of medicine, including cardiology, but is the time ripe for an expansion of the focused factory model? Dr. Herzlinger also explains where a specialty hospital or a general tertiary care facility would fit within this system.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Nancy Brown
Decisions our young patients make now can have metabolic consequences for the rest of their lives. It's hard to overstate, not only how crucial it is that we reduce the incidence of childhood obesity, but also how difficult it has been for us to turn the corner on this issue. These concurrent themes are central to a campaign put forth by the American Heart Association (AHA) that aims to make major progress on childhood obesity in the years to come. Host Dr. Jack Lewin gets the details on this campaign during his conversation with the AHA's chief executive officer, Nancy Brown. How is the AHA partnering with schools to empower kids to make healthier decisions about their consumption habits and lifestyle choices? How can we help fellow clinicians move beyond the feeling that their efforts to reduce childhood obesity aren't having the desired effect?
Guest: Joshua Hare, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Cardiac disease was once thought to be both progressive and irreversible. As stem cell therapies emerge across many fields of medicine, our patients with cardiac disorders may be among the first to benefit from this translation of basic science into very valuable clinical applications. What do the latest findings tell us about our ability to tap into the promise of stem cells to treat, reverse or even prevent cardiac disease? Dr. Joshua Hare, director of the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute and the Louis Lemberg Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, walks us through the most promising developments in this cutting-edge research and provides his insights on how you can talk with your patients about where they can expect to see benefits in the short term. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Salim Yusuf, DPhil, FRCPC
Start with one part diuretic. Add one part ACE inhibitor, and sprinkle in one part beta blocker. Then add a dose of statins, and top it off with a portion of antiplatelets. Here we have the proposed recipe for a singular pill that some experts believe will eventually help us stick a fork in heart disease. Yet there are pharmacologic concerns and certainly clinical trials to pass before this drug comes to a practice near you. That said, it's fair to wonder: how close are we? Dr. Salim Yusuf, professor of medicine and the director of the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is the lead author of one of the most recent polypill clinical trials, presented at the American College of Cardiology's 2009 Scientific Sessions. Dr. Yusuf joins host Dr. Janet Wright to give us an update on the global effort to create a polypill that will improve compliance, increase convenience and reduce cost.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Noel Bairey Merz, MD
Research tells us that more than 80 percent of American women have used hormonal contraception during their lives. Though evidence suggests hormonal contraception could offer anti-atheromatous effects, the verdict is far from in. Further, we have a lot to learn about the long-term risks for thrombosis, arrythmogenesis, vasomotion and beyond. As we study the potential links between contraceptive hormone use and cardiovascular disease, where should our priorities lie? Host Dr. Janet Wright poses this question as part of a fascinating conversation with Dr. Noel Bairey Merz, director of the Women's Heart Center and the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center, and the Women's Guild Endowed Chair in Women's Health at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and a professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Rita Redberg, MD, MSc
Does elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) make sense for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), or are some better off with optimal medical therapy? The answer may depend on our ability to document ischemia in these patients, but it also leads us to another question: are we doing enough, through stress testing or other means, to substantiate the need for PCI? Dr. Rita Redberg, professor of clinical medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, talks with Dr. Janet Wright about the work-up and evaluation of patients with stable CAD.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Rita Redberg, MD, MSc
It is increasingly recognized that symptoms of heart disease are different for men and women. But it appears we are often slower to recognize heart disease in women, resulting in important distinctions in early treatment and outcomes. What are these differences, and how can we, as providers, help narrow this gender gap? Host Dr. Janet Wright welcomes Dr. Rita Redberg, professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine (UCSF), and director of women's cardiovascular services at the UCSF National Center for Excellence in Women's Health, for an important conversation about where can we do a better job of encouraging women to be aware of cardiac concerns specific to women? Dr. Redberg also shares her approach to evaluating female patients with symptoms that are suggestive but not definitive.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Robert Hendel, MD
We're seeing some progress in cardiac imaging toward this lofty goal, thanks, in part, to a system that combines online technology with science-based selection criteria. The system will help us track patterns of care, provide insights into variations in care across the country and ensure that patients get the test that brings the most value to their care. Host Dr. Janet Wright probes the areas where we can further develop our goals for providing the most appropriate care with Dr. Robert Hendel, clinical cardiologist at Midwest Heart Specialists, based in suburbs west of Chicago, and professor of medicine at Rush University Medical College in Chicago. Dr. Hendel also explores trends in the appropriate ordering of tests within a practice versus those referring to that same practice.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Mark McClellan, MD, PhD
It takes a substantial measure of time, money and manpower to bring a new drug from the bench to the marketplace. One key aspect of this sequence is the drug approval process, overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes Dr. Mark McClellan, director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform at the Brookings Institution, former commissioner of the FDA and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to discuss a range of issues within the FDA's approval process: from essential boosts in funding, to more transparency about conflicts of interest, to the imperative need for comprehensive, real-time surveillance of long-term drug outcomes, how can the agency devote more attention to each of these areas of concern?
Guest: Alfred Bove, MD
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
The next year promises to be an important one in health policy, in cardiology and in many other areas of medicine, as we set our sights on significant transformations across our health care system. What improvements can you anticipate that will enrich your practice environment and enhance the care you provide to your patients? Host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes Dr. Alfred Bove, the newly installed president of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), for a look ahead at key points of emphasis during the coming year, from more rigorous quality measurements, to patient empowerment and value of care, to the broader issue of health care reform and the ACC's role in furthering the priorities of cardiologists and care providers across the entire health care spectrum.
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Guest: Don Poldermans, MD, PhD
For patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, perioperative management often focuses on recognition and treatment of cardiac risk factors and disease. Dr. Don Poldermans, professor of medicine and head of perioperative cardiac care at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, joins host Dr. Doug Weaver to explain how medical treatment and testing should factor into pre-operative preparations. How should you proceed with patients who you suspect possesses some risk, but displays no risk factors? Does aspirin complicate our approach to certain surgeries for certain patients?
Guest: John A. Cairns, MD
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Long-term anticoagulation is often viewed as inconvenient and somewhat risky, even for patients with atrial fibrillation who are at elevated risk for stroke. Are these factors overshadowing the evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy in preventing stroke? Dr. John Cairns, professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of British Columbia in Canada, talks with host Dr. Doug Weaver about stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation. Is it safe to stop anticoagulant therapy in this population, and if so, when should this decision be considered?
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Guest: Spencer King, III, MD
The performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without a surgical backup has long produced controversy. In recent years, off-site PCI has become more common, and clinical evidence demonstrates comparable outcomes for on-site and off-site procedures. How does this shift allow us to serve a broader patient population? Will guidelines change to reflect some of these new findings? For a look at these questions and more, Dr. Spencer King, president of Saint Joseph's Heart and Vascular Institute in Atlanta, professor of medicine emeritus at Emory University School of Medicine, and a past president of the American College of Cardiology, joins host Dr. Doug Weaver.
Guest: Chris Jennings
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
It seems we all work so much these days, we might as well get our personal mail delivered at work, or maybe even consider a hide-a-bed for the office. That may seem a bit far-fetched, but many of us do receive our health insurance coverage from our place of employment, and an increasing percentage of us are participating in so-called wellness programs at work. As we anticipate reforms in our health care system, what is the future role of the employer and the workplace in this movement? For a look at these questions, host Dr. Jack Lewin welcomes Chris Jennings, president of Jennings Policy Strategies, a health policy and advocacy consulting firm based in Washington, DC, and a former White House Senior Health Care Advisor during the Clinton administration. Mr. Jennings also compares the current efforts toward health care reform to those of the early Clinton years, and outlines what he sees as the key reasons why the present climate will be more receptive to the achievement of meaningful reform.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Robert Hauser, MD
Because new cardiac technologies are often rapidly integrated into clinical practice, we must be mindful that these innovations can contain a level of risk. Regrettably, we've seen examples of this before with previous generations of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), and some experts say the latest advances in ICD technology could pose similar problems. Host Dr. Jack Lewin explores this issue with Dr. Robert Hauser, senior consulting cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and a founder and past president of the Heart Rhythm Society.
Guest: Mark Hlatky, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Does the patient with few cardiovascular risk factors who displays little, if any, sign of heart trouble warrant a coronary CT scan? For patients who may not be best suited for a CT scan, is the coronary calcium measurement a reasonable risk-assessment alternative? Dr. Mark Hlatky, professor of medicine and professor of health research and policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, explores a range of issues related to coronary CT angiography: how the rationale for ordering can change in the emergent setting versus the clinical scenario, its merits as a ‘triple rule-out' test, and the frequency with which patients undergoing a CT scan subsequently undergo angioplasty, bypass surgery, or another coronary procedure. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Mark Hlatky, MD
Measuring precise risks in medicine can be a tricky proposition. Factoring risk into cost-benefit analyses can make the situation even less clear. In many ways, this is where we stand with coronary computed tomography angiograms: a scan can be immediately helpful in emergent circumstances, but at other points in the clinical care spectrum, the value of that scan is more difficult to estimate. Dr. Mark Hlatky, professor of medicine and professor of health research and policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, juxtaposes the medical aspects of these tests with the money we spend on them. Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Guest: Bob Graboyes, PhD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Is your practice one of the growing number of small healthcare businesses that cannot afford to provide health insurance for its employees? It’s a startling reality for many medical employers and employees, and more broadly, for the entire small business sector, which, in some states, is the collective employer for upwards of half of the uninsured population. As Dr. Bob Graboyes, senior healthcare advisor for the National Federation of Independent Business, tells host Dr. Janet Wright, with new proposals for restructuring health care coming in droves these days, meaningful healthcare legislation would be welcome news for small businesses around the country.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Gregory Demske
How can individual practitioners interact with industry in a positive, lawful and commendable manner? Are there regulations we can and should put on companies in this arena which fund initiatives such as continuing medical education? Industry certainly plays a major role in health care today, but one wonders whether we are managing these relationships to the best of our abilities. Greg Demske, assistant inspector general for legal affairs in the Office of the Inspector General for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, joins host Dr. Janet Wright to discuss a range of issues related to the role of industry in health care, as well as potential conflicts of interest that may arise.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Elliott Antman, MD
New treatment guidelines regularly make headlines in medicine, recommending advances in our approach to care. In recent years, we have accelerated the speed at which we can update our guidelines and welcomed more global input into the process. Will these trends continue? Where else can we improve our process for authoring treatment guidelines? Host Dr. Jack Lewin explores these questions and more with Dr. Elliott Antman, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and past chairman of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association’s Task Force on Practice Guidelines.
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Guest: Doug Zipes, MD
Sudden cardiac deaths are rare among elite athletes. Yet these abrupt events are confounding, in part, because they strike some of our most physically dynamic individuals, and because there remains a lengthy list of potential causes. How are we advancing our grasp of the underlying triggers of these life-threatening arrhythmias? Host Dr. Doug Weaver talks with Dr. Doug Zipes, distinguished professor emeritus of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, about the balance of uncovering at-risk patients, while maintaining reasonable restrictions on their athletic activities, and avoiding unnecessary tests for those who are not in danger.
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Guest: Martin Leon, MD
Will drug-eluting stents prove safer and more effective without a metal structure? For all their merits, current stent technologies still present a series of drawbacks, including the severe complication of late thrombosis. Biodegradable polymers may hold the key to minimizing this and other concerns. Host Dr. Doug Weaver discusses the most promising areas of research in this area with Dr. Martin Leon, professor of medicine and associate director of the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Guest: Mohammed Khan, MD
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Investigators are pursuing more aggressive strategies to maintain sinus rhythm. One area of current inquiry for certain arrhythmias centers on pulmonary vein isolation as an alternative to atrioventricular node ablation with biventricular pacing. How effective is pulmonary vein isolation for preventing an arrhythmia relapse? Dr. Mohammed Khan, an electrophysiologist at Cardiovascular Associates in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, joins host Dr. Doug Weaver to explain which of your patients may be optimal candidates for pulmonary vein isolation.
Host: Doug Weaver, MD
Guest: Peter Berger, MD
It is no longer a question of whether antiplatelet therapy should be used following implantation of a drug-eluting stent, but rather to what extent and to what duration. With this in mind, many new challenges arise, from bleeding risks to drug intolerance and product cost. Host Dr. Doug Weaver welcomes Dr. Peter Berger, associate chief research officer and director of the Center for Clinical Studies at the Geisinger Clinic in central Pennsylvania, to discuss how we’re moving to address these concerns. Dr. Berger also details a series of related procedural circumstances—dental surgery, bronchoscopy, certain orthopaedic procedures and more—in which antiplatelet therapy need not be discontinued.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Charles Kerr, MD
Dr. Charles Kerr, president of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and director of the electrophysiology program at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, joins host Dr. Janet Wright, to discuss the challenges of managing patients with atrial fibrillation. For those patients who may warrant ablation, what is the current thinking about who should be referred for this procedure, and how should we define its success? Given that there are multiple approaches to ablation for atrial fibrillation, are we seeing the field gravitate toward one or a few of the most effective strategies?
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Arvind Agnihotri, MD
For patients diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis, corrective surgery is advised and is often extremely safe and effective. But there are some patients with advanced disease whose symptoms may be difficult to recognize, and thus may remain undiagnosed without careful consideration. As Dr. Arvind Agnihotri, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, tells host Dr. Janet Wright, some of these symptoms—including decreased exercise tolerance or subtle dyspnea—may be more easily dismissed in older patients, in particular, because we expect these symptoms to appear in this population. In what other ways can we improve our detection of aortic valve disease? Dr. Agnihotri will also guide us through the process of a percutaneous valve replacement, from the initial decision-making process to the early post-operative period.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Arvind Agnihotri, MD
Artificial heart valves have steadily evolved since their arrival on the surgical scene in the 1960s. A range of the newest devices have shown significant potential, including the prospect of valve replacement in high-risk, symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis. What are the most promising devices on the horizon today, and how will these new tools allow us to care for populations with precarious cardiac function without conducting a major surgical procedure? Dr. Arvind Agnihotri, assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, explores the ways in which we are improving upon traditional aortic valve surgery with host Dr. Janet Wright.
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: James Dove, MD
Host Dr. Jack Lewin speaks with Dr. James Dove, immediate past president of the American College of Cardiology, about strategies to improve the integration of quality into our healthcare system. No physician wants to fall short of providing the best care available, so it is imperative, Dr. Dove says, that physicians receive the tools they need to succeed, based on clinical data they trust. What are these tools and how can we integrate them into the workflow? Further, how do we incorporate these challenges into an efficient payment system?
Host: Jack Lewin, MD
Guest: Uwe Reinhardt, PhD
In a recent survey tracked by Dr. Uwe Reinhardt, the James Madison Professor of Political Economy and professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, Medicare patients in northern New Jersey accrued three times the medical costs in their last two years of life as patients in the southern half of the state. Save for seismic demographic differences, Dr. Reinhardt explains how our current system produces these staggering billing disparities. How could a peer-review mechanism stem the tide of clinical ‘cost-ineffectiveness' and concurrently improve quality assurance in American healthcare? Dr. Jack Lewin hosts.
Guest: Jill Jesurum, PhD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Who would expect that a hole in the heart and a pain in the head are related? If you take care of patients who suffer from migraine headaches, host Dr. Janet Wright's interview with Dr. Jill Jesurum, scientific director of the Heart & Vascular Institute at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, may shed light on some unanticipated benefits of treatment for migraineurs. Dr. Jesurum explains how patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure may impact the symptoms experienced by a migraine sufferer, and shares her perspective on which populations may benefit most from a PFO procedure.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Elliott Antman, MD
Recent guidelines for unstable angina and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) can be characterized as a progression and fine-tuning of past recommendations, which have contributed to a remarkable decline in the devastating outcomes. Dr. Elliott Antman, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Samuel A. Levine Cardiac Unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, talks with host Dr. Janet Wright about the key updates to the latest guidelines and what we need to do to continue this trend toward fewer adverse outcomes. When initiating anticoagulant therapy, for instance, Dr. Antman says it is more important for your local institution to agree upon one therapeutic regimen, to avoid any unnecessary oscillations. Further, how do the guidelines address our oversight of patients' other medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormone replacement therapy? Tune in to find out more.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Elliott Antman, MD
Revising treatment guidelines is a continuous process, with authors always monitoring the latest data that needs to be shared with practitioners. What developments prompted the latest updates to the guidelines for care of patients with acute myocardial infarction? Host Dr. Janet Wright visits with Dr. Elliott Antman, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, to discuss several of recent refinements that warrant our attention: distinguishing acceptable candidates for beta blocker therapy, as well as management of facilitated and rescue percutaneous coronary intervention.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: Theodore Abraham, MD
It is a condition that most commonly affects our young athletes, but many of the symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) do not manifest until it is too late. How are we improving our techniques and strategies for preventing, identifying and addressing HCM before it leads to tragedy? Dr. Theodore Abraham, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and associate director of the echocardiography laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital, joins host Dr. Janet Wright to talk over key issues in our understanding of HCM, including his advice for patients with phenotypically mild disease progression.