Focus on Heart Health

Optimizing Dyslipidemic Cardiovascular Residual Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl in Post-MI Patients: Key Takeaways May 31, 2022

Host: William Boden, MD, FACC, FAHA

Patients with ASCVD and a history of MI are at especially high risk for repeat adverse cardiac events. Listen in as Dr. Bill Boden summarizes a post hoc analysis of such patients from the REDUCE-IT trial. Can icosapent ethyl plus a statin provide improved carioprotection by reducing recurrent events in this population? Tune in to learn more!

REDUCE-IT is a landmark trial that examined the coadministration of icosapent ethyl and statins in patients for secondary and primary prevention of recurrent events and demonstrated a significant reduction in the key primary and secondary endpoints. This discussion relates to a post hoc analysis of a subset of patients who had prior myocardial infarction, as part of the REDUCE-IT study, and comprised about 45% of the patients with established atherosclerotic coronary disease. The results of this post-MI analysis bring into clear focus that treating hypertriglyceridemia is a critical variable in terms of reducing dyslipidemic risk and overall risk.

Living with Heart Disease: How a Patient Gave Her Diagnosis Meaning Apr 30, 2018

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough is joined by Dr. Mark Zucker, Director of the Cardiothoracic Transplantation Program at RWJBH/Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and his HCM patient and founder of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, Lisa Salberg, to discuss her inspiring story and the importance of early diagnosis.

Time for a Heart-to-Heart: Reflections of Life on the Transplant List Mar 05, 2018

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Bob Mitchell

Quite suddenly, Bob Mitchell became very sick. He would endure three near-fatal episodes of ventricular tachycardia due to a heart muscle comprised of 54% scar tissue, as well as heart surgeries, two harrowing months of waiting on the transplant list for a new heart on life-supporting IV drips (during which time a malignant tumor was detected in his kidney), partial nephrectomy surgery to remove the cancer, another month of waiting, a 12-hour heart and kidney transplant surgery, and 100 days on life support in four different hospitals.

Host Dr. Maurice Pickard talks with novelist Bob Mitchell, author of Time for a Heart-to-Heart: Reflections on Life in the Face of Death about his inspiring story of the triumph of hope in the face of the direst of circumstances.

Heart of the Matter: Emerging Treatment Options for Congenital Heart Disease Feb 09, 2018

Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Thomas Doyle, MD

About 40,000 babies are born with Congenital Heart Disease each year, making it one of the most common birth defects and causes of infant death in the US. CHD is usually present at birth but shows very few outward signs and, in most cases has no known cause or origin.

New and evolving surgical techniques, along with the dawn of pediatric heart transplant, are transforming the field of pediatric cardiology and offer new options for CHD patients.

Host Dr. John Russell talks with Dr. Thomas Doyle about how continued research, improved surgical treatments and, emerging technology have altered the course of treatment for CHD, resulting in approximately 69% of children with CHD now living to age 18.

Dr. Thomas Doyle is the Ann and Monroe Carell Jr. Family Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Doyle was a 2016 Project Heart CHD research grant recipient.

**What to Know About the Latest Recommended Guidelines for High Blood Pressure in Adults** Jan 29, 2018
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Robert Carey, MD, FAHA
Under the 2017 Hypertension Guidelines, 46 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure which is up from 32 percent under the old benchmark. This interview covers the key information physicians need to know from the new guidelines in order to improve blood pressure control rates.

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle talks with Dr. Robert Carey, vice chair of the 2017 hypertension guidelines about the new recommendations and their impact on clinical practice.

The American Medical Association's M.A.P. framework and blood pressure improvement program is dedicated to helping health care providers improve blood pressure control in their adult patient populations, and a new AMA resource can help you succeed in Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) while you manage and treat high blood pressure. This resource outlines the different measures that relate to hypertension management in each MIPS performance category, potential MIPS score results, and related AMA resources that can help you improve the health of your patients with hypertension while checking all your MIPS boxes along the way. Please click here to access the **New AMA resource pairs BP quality improvement with MIPS**

*The …*

**How the Latest Hypertension Guidelines Will Change Your Practice** Jan 29, 2018
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Paul Whelton, MB, MD, MSc, FAHA
Under the 2017 Hypertension Guidelines, 46 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is up from 32 percent under the old benchmark. This interview covers the key information physicians need to know from the new guidelines in order to improve blood pressure control rates.

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle chats with Dr. Paul Whelton, chair of the 2017 blood pressure guidelines writing committee, about how the new guidelines will affect patients.

The American Medical Association's M.A.P. framework and blood pressure improvement program is dedicated to helping health care providers improve blood pressure control in their adult patient populations, and a new AMA resource can help you succeed in Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) while you manage and treat high blood pressure. This resource outlines the different measures that relate to hypertension management in each MIPS performance category, potential MIPS score results, and related AMA resources that can help you improve the health of your patients with hypertension while checking all your MIPS boxes along the way. Please click here to access the **New AMA resource pairs BP quality improvement with MIPS**

*The views, information, or …*

How Hypertension Guidelines Changes Are Impacting Our Patients Jan 29, 2018

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Karol Watson, MD, PhD

Under the 2017 Hypertension Guidelines, 46 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure which is up from 32 percent under the old benchmark. This interview covers the key information physicians need to know from the new guidelines in order to improve blood pressure control rates.

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle is joined by Dr. Karol Watson, an attending cardiologist and a Professor of Medicine/Cardiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Watson is a principal investigator for several large National Institutes of Health research studies, including the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. She reacts to the new guidelines and reflects on what these changes could mean to patients.

The American Medical Association's M.A.P. framework and blood pressure improvement program is dedicated to helping health care providers improve blood pressure control in their adult patient populations, and a new AMA resource can help you succeed in Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) while you manage and treat high blood pressure. This resource outlines the different measures that relate to hypertension management in each MIPS performance category, potential MIPS score results, and related AMA resources that can help you improve the health of …

Toward Instantaneous Care: Real-Time Monitoring of Vital Signs Jul 07, 2017

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Denise Devine

What if there was a way to monitor vital signs in real time? Denise Devine, Co-Founder of RTM Vital Signs, LLC, is working on just that. She is joined by Dr. Matt Birnholz at the Villanova Health Summit to discuss this innovative technology in development, which opens up the possibility of collecting continuous health data from patients to enhance point-of-care treatments.

Unclog the Arteries: Treatment Options for Arterial Disease Jun 07, 2017

Host: Barnett Mennen, MD
Guest: Grace Wang, MD, FACS

Unclogging patient arteries is a key step to preventing stroke in patients with arterial disease. Whether it be preventing the operative stage, or surgery itself, advances in treatment at Penn Medicine are seeking to lessen the effects of arterial disease.

Host Dr. Barry Mennen welcomes Dr. Grace Wang, vascular surgeon and Director of the Vascular Laboratory at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wang highlights the importance of early detection in arterial disease, as well as the symptoms and risk factors of the disease. She will also discuss the current and upcoming surgical intervention options at Penn Medicine.

Treating Erectile Dysfunction: Key Cardiovascular Considerations Oct 10, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA

Live from the Clinical Lipid Update of the National Lipid Association in Amelia Island, FL, host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Dr. Robert Kloner, Vice President of Translation at Huntington Medical Research Institutes and Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division of Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Kloner discusses the cardiovascular risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction, safety and efficacy of erectile disfunction drugs, and benefits vs risks of supplementing with testosterone.

Pharmacometabolomics to Predict Statin Response: Ready for Prime Time? Oct 03, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA

Live from the Clinical Lipid Update of the National Lipid Association in Amelia Island, FL, host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Dr. Rhoda Cooper-DeHoff. Dr. Cooper-DeHoff is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine at the University of Florida. She is also Associate Director of the Center for Pharmacogenomics at this institution.

Dr. Cooper-DeHoff discusses the rise of pharmacometabolomics, genomic testing, and pharmacogenetic testing in lipidology, with particular emphasis on predictive mapping for statin responses.

Triglyceride-Lowering Therapies: Addressing Gaps in the Guidelines Sep 26, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA

Live from the Clinical Lipid Update of the National Lipid Association in Amelia Island, FL, host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Dave Dixon, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist and Associate Professor of Pharmacology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. Dr. Dixon is also a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, Clinical Lipid Specialist, and Fellow of the National Lipid Association. He serves as a Regional Representative for the Southeast Chapter of NLA and on the Journal of Clinical Lipidology Editorial Board.

Dr. Dixon discusses guidelines for treating hypertriglyceridemia, effective therapies for reducing triglyceride levels, and emerging lipid-lowering therapies in development.

PCSK9 Antibodies for Dyslipidemia: Efficacy, Safety, and Non-Lipid Effects Sep 19, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA

Live from the Clinical Lipid Update of the National Lipid Association in Amelia Island, FL, host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Dr. Eugenia Gianos. Dr. Gianos is an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and co-clinical director of the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at the NYU School of Medicine.

Dr. Gianos discusses the effectiveness, potential side effects, and patient outcomes with PCSK9 antibodies for management of dyslipidemia.

New Medication for High Cholesterol Not Cost-Effective Aug 16, 2016

[Read the Article]

The FDA recently approved a new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors. These new medications could substantially reduce heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths, however they are very expensive. A new study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of this therapy and how increased use might affect the U.S. healthcare system.
Researchers from the University of California San Francisco used a simulation model that included all U.S. adults 35 and older and evaluated outcomes such as expected numbers of deaths due to cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes, and balanced this with the cost and potential benefits of these drugs.
With an estimated 9 million people eligible for this therapy and a price of $14,000 per patient per year, researchers estimated that total prescription drugs expenditures could increase by 40 percent. In order to be cost-effective, the PCSK9 inhibitor costs would have to come down to about $4,000 a year.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Device Reduces Risk of Brain Injury After Heart Valve Replacement Aug 09, 2016

[Read the Article]

Patients who might benefit from a heart valve replacement but are too ill for open heart surgery can sometimes undergo a less invasive procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation or "TAVI". About 10% of patients undergoing TAVI can experience small strokes and related brain injury as a complication. A new study found that the use of a cerebral protection device, which captures debris dislodged from blood vessels during the TAVI procedure, reduced the number and volume of brain lesions seen on MRI.
Researchers from the University of Leipzig Heart Center, Germany studied 100 patients with an average age of 80 who underwent TAVI. Half of the patients received the cerebral protection device and the other half did not. Patients underwent brain MRIs before the implantation and again at 2 and at 7 days after the procedure. The results found that using the filter device helped to decrease the number of brain lesions seen in the brain by about half.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

PVC Ablation Procedures for Ventricular Tachycardia Jun 13, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Francis Marchlinski, MD

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Francis E. Marchlinski, Richard T. and Angela Clark President's Distinguished Professor and Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Marchlinski will review the epidemiology of PVCs, the kinds of problems that PVCs can cause, and how these problems manifest as symptoms in patients. He will also review the effectiveness of catheter ablation as a current treatment option for ventricular tachycardia (VT), a potenially serious complication of PVC's.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in the Elderly: Best Lipid Strategies May 09, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, CS, CLS, FNLA, FPCNA

Host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, FNLA, President-Elect of the National Lipid Association. Joyce serves as a consultative education specialist in cardiovascular risk intervention with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Their discussion focuses on lipid management to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in elderly patient populations. Thhis interview was recorded live at the National Lipid Association in San Diego, California for the 2016 Spring Clinical Lipid Update.

Bridging The Cardiology Gap: Care Priorities for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease Apr 25, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Yuli Kim, MD

Advancements in cardiac surgery and medical care for pediatric patients over the past decades have produced a sizeable population of adults living with congenital heart disease. These adults and their unique health care needs expose an emerging gap in expertise for the cardiology community, where training in congenital heart disease management has traditionally been the provence of pediatric subspecialists. How can these adult patients find cardiologists familiar with their particular anatomy and problems, and what special care strategies must cardiologists be familiar with to provide optimal care?

Dr. Jennifer Caudle will discuss the selective health care needs and personalized management strategies for adults with congenital heart disease with Dr. Yuli Kim, Medical Director of the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Combination of Diet and Exercise Offers Benefits in Patients with a Common Type of Heart Failure Jan 26, 2016

[Read the Article]

Among obese older patients with an increasingly common type of heart failure, calorie restriction and/or exercise training improved their ability to participate in physical activity without experiencing shortness of breath, according to a new study.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is the most rapidly increasing form of heart failure in the United States. Although the heart pumps normally, it does not fill with enough blood because the lower chamber of the heart is too stiff. More than eighty percent of patients with HFPEF are overweight or obese. Despite multiple studies, so far, no currently available medications have improved symptoms in patients with HFPEF.
Researchers from the Wake Forest School of Medicine randomly assigned 100 older obese participants with HFPEF to 20 weeks of diet, exercise, or both. They found that the exercise participants lost three percent of body weight, the diet group lost seven percent and the combined group lost ten percent of body weight. Patients in both the diet and exercise groups showed improvement in their ability to participate in exercise without significant symptoms.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Shared Financial Incentives for Both Physicians and Patients Improved Cholesterol Levels Nov 10, 2015

[Read the Article]

Financial incentives for physicians or patients are one way healthcare organizations are trying to improve health outcomes. A new study examined whether providing these financial incentives would help improve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with a high-risk for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia studied 1,500 patients and 340 primary care physicians. Physicians were randomly assigned to one of four groups. One group solely focused on providing physicians with financial incentives, while another group focused on financially rewarding patients when they showed improvements in their cholesterol levels. A third group consisted of shared incentives for both physicians and patients, while the last group (a control group) did not receive any financial incentives.
Overall, shared financial incentives for both physicians and patients, but not incentives to physicians or patients alone, resulted in a significant reduction of LCL-C levels at 12 months.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Study Finds Survival After Cardiac Arrest Improves When More Patients Receive Bystander CPR and External Defibrillation Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major public health issue, accounting for approximately 200,000 deaths per year in the United States. A new study examined whether increased use of defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by first responders and bystanders could help increase survival for people who experience an out-of-hospital heart attack.
In recent years, statewide initiatives in North Carolina have encouraged improvement in the use of CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) by training more members of the general public.
Bystander-initiated CPR was associated with a greater likelihood of survival with favorable neurologic outcome. The combination of bystander CPR and first responder defibrillation increased from 14 percent in 2010 to 23 percent in 2013. Results found, patients who received bystander or first responder interventions before arrival of the emergency medical services (EMS) were more likely to survive compared to those who received EMS intervention alone.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Caring for the Heart: Mayo Clinic and the Rise of Specialization Jun 22, 2015

Host: John J. Russell, MD

Dr. Bruce Fye's unique book, Caring for the Heart: Mayo Clinic and the Rise of Specialization, weaves together three important themes. It describes major developments in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in the twentieth century, explains how the Mayo Clinic evolved from a family practice in Minnesota into one of the world's leading medical centers, and reveals how the invention of new technologies and procedures promoted specialization among physicians and surgeons. Join Dr. John Russell in overviewing with Dr. Fye this pivotal epoch in American medical history.

American College of Cardiology — **The Clinically Broken Heart: Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy** Jul 15, 2010
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.

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How Statins May Protect Men's Urologic Health May 26, 2009

Guest: R. Jeffrey Karnes, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Guest: Jennifer St. Sauver, PhD

Three recent observational studies from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Health Status among Men, which is a cohort study of male residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, have shown that statins may have a protective effect on prostate health. How might statins reduce the risk of prostate cancer, prostate enlargement and erectile dysfunction? Tune in to hear two of the study authors discuss this exciting new research: Dr. Jeffrey Karnes, assistant professor in urologic oncology, and Dr. Jennifer St. Sauver, assistant professor of epidemiology, both from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Erectile Dysfunction: A Window Into Cardiovascular Health May 07, 2009

Guest: Martin Miner, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Are younger men with erectile dysfunction (ED) at considerably higher risk of heart disease, and if so, why? It is known that the condition can be an important predictor of coronary events, but with men under age fifty, it appears there is an interval between the onset of ED and the onset of heart trouble. Could this change our approach to treating younger men with ED, and perhaps delaying or preventing cardiovascular disease? Dr. Martin Miner, co-director of the Men's Health Center at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, explains how he would evaluate the younger patient who presents with erectile dysfunction in this conversation with host Dr. Larry Kaskel.

3D Imaging for Stroke-Inducing Carotid Artery Disease Mar 25, 2009

Guest: Alan Moody, MBBS
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Can three-dimensional MRI help us measure potential risks for stroke associated with an intraplaque hemorrhage? We are rapidly learning more about the significance of intraplaque hemorrhage, and its role in cardiac and cerebrovascular disease. A better look at potential trouble spots could allow for earlier detection of an impending event, even in relatively asymptomatic individuals. Dr. Alan Moody, professor in the department of medical imaging at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, shares his perspective on 3D MRI as an important tool to lead us in this direction. On a related note, Dr. Moody also provides some insight on what we can do patients with an intraplaque hemorrhage who is already on a statin, aspirin or another therapy to reduce their risk of having this happen again. Dr. Larry Kaskel hosts.

Cardiac Screening for Children Prescribed ADHD Meds? Feb 09, 2009

Guest: Patrick Frias, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

Although sudden death in the pediatric population is rare, there has been a great deal of discussion recently over the possibility of an increase in risk of sudden cardiac death among individuals taking stimulant medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr. Patrick Frias, a pediatric cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Sibley Heart Center Cardiology in Atlanta and associate professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, explores this discussion with host Dr. Jennifer Shu. How can we best evaluate our patients' risk for sudden death before initiating medical treatment for ADHD, and how often should we monitor their cardiovascular status?

Mortality After Myocardial Infarction in Men vs Women Feb 06, 2009

Guest: Laura Wexler, MD
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

A recent study looks at mortality after myocardial infarction across gender lines. The results showed that women have a higher rate of dying than men. Dr. Laura Wexler, co-author of the study and professor of medicine and cardiology at the University of Cincinnati, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about differences in biology and approaches to treatment. The two also review the atypical symptoms of a heart attack in women compared to men's symptoms.

Why a Good Night’s Sleep is Good for the Heart Feb 04, 2009

Guest: Diane Sperling Lauderdale, PhD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Investigators have become interested in the relationship between sleep and health. The latest research shows that people who sleep for fewer hours than the average are more likely to develop calcification of the coronary arteries. Dr. Diane Lauderdale, an associate professor of health studies at the University of Chicago, talks with host Dr. Larry Kaskel about the heart health benefits of sleep.

Long-Term Neurological Outcomes Following Heart Surgery Feb 03, 2009

Guest: Jose Biller, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Neurologic complications associated with cardiac surgery can involve just about any part of the peripheral and central nervous systems. Yet varying degrees of neurologic decline have been linked to multiple kinds of surgery, not just heart procedures. How can we determine that the adverse long-term neurologic outcomes following cardiac surgery are truly distinctive to cardiac procedures? Dr. Jose Biller, professor of neurology and neurological surgery at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and chair of neurology at Loyola University Health System, probes this question and more with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill.

Evaluating Cognitive Changes After Cardiac Surgery Feb 03, 2009

Guest: Jose Biller, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Though innovations in surgical technology and anesthetic techniques have greatly improved the outlook following cardiac surgery, we must remain attentive to the possibility of post-operative complications. One area of concern includes adverse neurologic outcomes. Dr. Jose Biller, professor of neurology and neurological surgery at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and chair of neurology at Loyola University Health System, talks with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill about the key considerations for evaluating cognitive changes following a cardiac procedure. Excluding the most evident post-operative neurologic sequelae, how should we proceed in determining that there is a real problem?

Saving Lives With CPR and AED Feb 03, 2009

Guest: Vincent Bufalino, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

CPR and AED can make the difference between life and death. But the varying degrees of knowledge and usage of these life-saving practices across the country may be putting people at risk for death from cardiac arrest. Dr. Vincent Bufalino, CEO of Midwest Heart Specialists, one of the biggest community cardiac physician groups in the country, and director of cardiovascular services at Edward Heart Hospital in the western Chicago suburb of Naperville, tells host Bruce Japsen about how doctors can lead communities in education and preparedness when it comes to CPR and AED. The results may astonish you.

Integrating Online Heart Disease Risk Assessments into Practice Feb 03, 2009

Host: Bruce Japsen
Guest: Vincent Bufalino, MD

Patients and doctors are becoming more aware of tools like Web-based risk assessment for heart disease for reaching and potentially helping thousands of people. But how can the success of these efforts be increased? Dr. Vincent Bufalino, CEO of Midwest Heart Specialists, one of the biggest community cardiac physician groups in the country, tells host Bruce Japsen about ways to get patients to use online risk assessments and how doctors can successfully integrate them into their practices as a life-saving tool.

Transitioning Cardiac Patients From Pediatric to Adult Care Feb 03, 2009

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
Guest: Michael McConnell, MD

Once mostly a condition of childhood, our patients with congenital heart disease are now living well into adulthood: nearly two million American children and adults are living with a congenital heart defect. What are the special medical needs of our cardiac patients as they transition from adolescence to adulthood? Dr. Michael McConnell, co-director of the adult congenital heart disease clinic at Sibley Heart Center Cardiology in Atlanta and associate professor of pediatrics and medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, reflects upon how our medical system can improve our capacity to care for the growing numbers of adult patients with a congenital heart defect. Dr. Jennifer Shu hosts.

Changing the Paradigm of Valve Surgery: Repair or Replace? Jan 30, 2009

Guest: W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr., MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

The most pressing question facing cardiac valve surgery is whether to undergo a replacement or repair procedure. Though outcomes of valve reconstruction are, in many cases, proving notably better than valve replacement, it is estimated that only a small majority of potential candidates are undergoing the valve repair. How can we reconcile this discrepancy—one that would appear to be placing our patients at greater risk? Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill welcomes Dr. Randolph Chitwood, professor and chair of cardiovascular surgery at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, founding director of the East Carolina Heart Institute in Greenville, North Carolina, and one of the earliest pioneers of these procedures, to share his perspective on the current state of robot-assisted valvular surgery. Dr. Chitwood also takes a moment to peer into the future of cardiac surgery, anticipating what we'll see from the field of robotics in the years to come.

Utility of Coronary Angiography Before and After CABG Jan 30, 2009

Guest: John Byrne, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Cardiac surgery is one of just a few medical specialties where before-and-after imaging is not yet standard. As surprising as this may seem, the effect on procedural outcomes is not surprising: current strategies for intraoperative graft assessment, for example, are not detecting all of the defects in the grafts we implant. How can we change this practice, and how can an innovative, hybrid catheterization lab-turned-operating room help us do this? Dr. John Byrne, professor of surgery and chair of cardiac surgery at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, takes us inside this distinctive operating theatre and details the improvements in graft-defect detection seen by his team at Vanderbilt. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Combination Therapy to Manage Lipids Jan 27, 2009

Guest: James Stolzenbach, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

Despite the wide adoption of statins that are practically in the U.S. drinking water, there are still Americans who are not being treated with lipid-lowering therapies. So what's the answer? Dr. James Stolzenbach, who oversees clinical research in the area of dyslipidemia and renal drug development at Abbott Laboratories, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about combination therapies and other new drugs being pursued by the pharmaceutical industry to manage cholesterol.

Beyond LDL: New Treatment Options to Manage Lipids Jan 27, 2009

Guest: James Stolzenbach, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

Consumers and their doctors all know about LDL and the need to lower the so-called bad cholesterol. But what about the treatments beyond those that lower LDL? James Stolzenbach, who oversees clinical research in the area of dyslipidemia and renal drug development at Abbott Laboratories, tells host Bruce Japsen about new developments in treating and managing cholesterol beyond lowering LDL.

Drug Response Variability: Toward Customized Treatments for Arrhythmias Jan 26, 2009

Guest: Dan Roden, MD
Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD

The greatest side effect of medications is that they often don't do what we expect them to do. Dr. Dan Roden, professor in the departments of medicine and pharmacology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, talks with Dr. Bruce Bloom about variability in response to drugs. Genetic components are just one of many reasons patients respond differently. Dr. Roden also discusses his specific work with customizing treatment for patients with arrhythmias based upon the disease mechanism.

Recognizing and Preventing Congenital Heart Disease Jan 26, 2009

Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
Guest: William Mahle, MD

We are consistently working to improve our approach to diagnosing congenital cardiovascular defects. With both inherited and modifiable risk factors playing a role in these abnormalities, there are many aspects of treatment and prevention to consider. How can we best utilize tests to complement physical examination for diagnosis and treatment? Dr. William Mahle, medical director of clinical research at Sibley Heart Center Cardiology in Atlanta and associate professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, explains what we know about preventing these defects and explores the areas in which we need to learn more about congenital heart disease.

PDAs in Infants: To Close or Not to Close? Jan 26, 2009

Guest: Darshak Sanghavi, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

In preterm neonates with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the standard of care has been to attempt to close the defect. Yet some experts have asked whether we need to treat PDA in most preemies. If we are to resolve the condition, there are various methods and protocols for treatment and even prevention; how do outcomes for PDA closure vary by treatment strategy? Dr. Darshak Sanghavi, chief of pediatric cardiology and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, lays out the important points of discussion on PDA closure with host Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Connections Between Depression and Heart Disease Jan 22, 2009

Guest: Leo Pozuelo, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Does a patient who becomes depressed have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Conversely, is a patient with heart disease at greater risk for developing depression? What manifestations associate depression and heart disease? Dr. Leo Pozuelo, associate director of the Bakken Heart Brain-Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, examines the relationship between heart disease and depression with host Dr. Lee Freedman. Does treating a depressed patient lower their coronary risk?

Is Cardiac Resynchronization Beneficial? Jan 22, 2009

Guest: David Kass, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Does cardiac resynchronization therapy reduce the long term mortality risk in patients with heart failure. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel discusses with Dr. David Kass, a professor of cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the history of cardiac resynchronization and its application in the prevention of heart failure. Tune in to hear why the primary care physician should care about ventricular dyssnchrony, and the limitations of this measurement.

Can Viagra Protect the Heart? Jan 22, 2009

Guest: David Kass, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

The medication Viagra has been shown to have positive impact on the heart in recent research. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel discusses with Dr. David Kass, the Abraham and Virginia Weiss Professor of Cardiology and professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, the history of Viagra as a medicine developed for the heart. Dr. David Kass explains the results of his research with mice and how sildenafil triggers an important heart protein, RGS2, and why this enzyme may prevent heart failure. Tune in to hear the next chapter of Viagra as a shield against high blood pressure damage and its potential for future cardiovascular protective effects.

Researching Ways to Treat Aortic Stenosis Jan 20, 2009

Guest: William Fearon, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

Aortic stenosis is a disease that impacts heart valves but is often very difficult to treat in elderly and very sick patients. Dr. William Fearon, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, tells host Bruce Japsen about work being done to improve treatment for these difficult populations of patients.

The FAME Study, Fractional Flow Reserve and Reducing Heart Attacks Jan 20, 2009

Guest: William Fearon, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen

It's called the FAME study, and doctors placing stents or conducting bypass surgery are going to be hearing more about it. Dr. William Fearon, an assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University, tells host Bruce Japsen about how patients whose treatment was based on fractional flow reserve were less likely to have a major adverse cardiac event than those who had standard angiography.

Selecting the Right Medication for Hypertension in the ED Jan 09, 2009

Guest: Michael Bresler
Host: Shira Johnson, MD

There are many vasoactive medications available to treat hypertension in an acute setting. Join Dr. Michael Bresler, professor in the division of emergency medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and director of Emergency Medicine at the Mills-Peninsula Health System, to discuss the potent arsenal of acute care medications at your disposal. Dr. Shira Johnson is the host for this informative session on the use and misuse of vasodilators.

Unexpected Elevated Blood Pressure: What to Do? Jan 09, 2009

Guest: Michael Bresler
Host: Shira Johnson, MD

Do you know how to respond in your office to an unexpectedly elevated blood pressure in a patient not previously diagnosed with hypertension? Dr. Michael Bresler, professor in the division of emergency medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and director of emergency medicine at the Mills-Peninsula Health System, discusses management of a new diagnosis of hypertension. Dr. Shira Johnson is the host as Dr. Bresler reviews a disease that affects over 60% of adults in the United States.

Cardiac Marker Testing at the Bedside Dec 23, 2008

Guest: Joseph R. Lex, MD
Host: Shira Johnson, MD

Medicine remains both an art and a science. Are more sensitive cardiac markers clouding our judgement? Dr. Joseph Lex, associate professor of emergency medicine at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, joins host Dr. Shira Johnson to discuss cardiac markers at the bedside, diagnostic testing and clinical judgement.

What Cardiac Markers Can Tell Us in the ED Dec 23, 2008

Guest: Joseph R. Lex, MD
Host: Shira Johnson, MD

What can we learn from cardiac markers such as troponin and troponin 1 in the emergency department and how will this dictate the decisions we make in caring for our patients? Dr. Joseph Lex, associate professor of medicine in the department of emergency medicine at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, joins host Dr. Shira Johnson to tell us what cardiac markers do and do not tell us. Is there a marker indicating unstable angina? What can we learn from delta cardiac markers, destabilization, and plaque rupture? And what information is most important in supporting an ED doc's clinical decision?

Are We Doing Too Many Bypass Surgeries and Angioplasties? Dec 16, 2008

Guest: Michael Ozner, MD
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH

For patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease, medical therapy has been shown to be equivalent to interventional therapy for cardiovascular outcomes in comparative studies. Dr. Michael Ozner, medical director of the Cardiovascular Prevention Institute of South Florida and the author of The Great American Heart Hoax will describe his approach to treating cardiovascular risk factors as a way of preventing cardiac events and the need for bypass surgery or angioplasty. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Sorrentino.

Can Diuretics Prevent Heart Failure? Dec 09, 2008

Guest: Barry Davis, MD, PhD
Host: Matthew J. Sorrentino, MD, FACC, FASH

Hypertension is the most common underlying risk factor for the development of congestive heart failure. Dr. Barry Davis, the Guy S. Parcel Chair in Public Health and director of the Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, will review a recent analysis of the ALLHAT hypertension trial showing that diuretics significantly reduced the occurrence of new-onset heart failure in individuals with both a preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Hosted by Dr. Matthew Sorrentino.

Protective Hypothermia: Medical Ice Slurry Technology Dec 04, 2008

Guest: Ken Kasza, PhD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Dr. Ken Kasza, a senior mechanical engineer at Argonne National Laboratory, discusses with host Dr. Larry Kaskel how doctors can use medical ice slurry to reduce the brain and other organs' demand for oxygen, thus giving doctors additional time to diagnose and treat critical patients in emergencies. Dr. Kasza outlines the mechanisms underlying the ice slurry coolant and the developments for delivery technology, and reviews the amazing surgical applications completed with surgeons from the University of Chicago. Tune in to hear how the protective hypothermia effect of medical ice slurry is the future of medicine.

Consciousness During Cardiac Death: A Window to Improving Brain Resuscitation? Nov 26, 2008

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Sam Parnia, MD, PhD

We are beginning to understand what happens when a patient in cardiac arrest, with no brain activity, later reports detailed perceptions, suggesting a high level of consciousness. What can we learn from the study of this phenomenon to help us improve resuscitation of the brain during cardiac arrest? What can it tell us about the experience of dying, and at what point consciousness ceases? Dr. Sam Parnia, a fellow in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, and one of the world's leading experts on the scientific study of death, joins host Dr. Maurice Pickard to talk about his research project, AWARE (AWAreness during REsuscitation) at the University of Southampton School of Medicine in the United Kingdom, where Dr. Parnia is an honorary senior research fellow.

Healing a Broken Heart: Depression Screening for Patients With Heart Disease Oct 03, 2008

Guest: Kim Lebowitz
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD

Screening for depression is simple but can be life changing for a patient with heart disease. The American Heart Association is now recommending that all patients with cardiac issues be screened for depression, stress and anxiety. Dr. Kim Lebowitz joins host Dr. Lauren Streicher to discuss how doctors can recognize depression in their cardiac patients and what they can do to get them back on a healthy path both mentally and physically. The two also discuss the role of a cardiac psychologist in heart transplant patients both readying them for surgery and dealing with a new heart following their operation.

Pediatric Heart Transplantation: Ethical Questions Sep 16, 2008

Guest: Armand Antommaria, MD, PhD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Donation of the heart after asystole leads to questions about the point at which death is irreversible. Dr. Armand Antommaria, assistant professor in the division of pediatric inpatient medicine and an adjunct assistant professor in the division of medical ethics and humanities at the University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses the ways that pediatric cardiac transplant surgery may be pushing controversial organ-retrieval strategy beyond acceptable legal, moral, and ethical boundaries. Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: What to Know, and What to Do Jul 16, 2008

Host: Michael Greenberg, MD

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. Joining host Dr. Michael Greenberg to discuss HCM is Dr. Martin Maron, director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center and co-director of cardiac MRI and CT at Tufts Medical Center. As an imaging specialist, Dr. Maron utilizes cardiac MRI and cardiac CT for the evaluation and treatment of patients. Discussing all aspects of HCM, Dr. Maron and Dr. Greenberg address this most common of all genetic cardiac diseases (occurring in 1/500 individuals), invasive and non-invasive treatment, and implications for HCM patients involved in sports.

Elevated Cardiovascular Risk in Young Males May 20, 2008

Guest: Antoinette Moran, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Adult men typically encounter higher cardiovascular risk levels at an earlier age than their gender counterparts. Can this divergence in risk be traced back to childhood? Host Dr. Lee Freedman discusses the surprising results of recent research into cardiovascular concerns among adolescent males with Dr. Antoinette Moran, professor of pediatrics and director of pediatric endocrinology at the Medical School at the University of Minnesota.

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