The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

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Latest Episodes:

Episode 160: A Discussion of Real-time smartphone alerts during atrial fibrillation episodes with implantable cardiac monitors and wearable devices: SMART-ALERT study Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, in conversation with Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS, about the journal article, Real-time smartphone alerts during atrial fibrillation episodes with implantable cardiac monitors and wearable devices: SMART-ALERT study. Together, they discuss the study findings and explore the use of real-time smartphone alerts in conjunction with implantable cardiac monitors and wearable devices during atrial fibrillation episodes.

Learning Objectives

Review the design and key findings of the SMART-ALERT study evaluating real-time smartphone alerts during atrial fibrillation episodes.
Discuss the use of implantable cardiac monitors and wearable devices for real-time detection and notification of atrial fibrillation episodes.
Explore the potential clinical implications of integrating smartphone alerts with cardiac monitoring technologies.

Host: Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS

Guests: Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH

Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS

Disclosures:

M. Lloyd

· Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Other

T. Baykaner

· Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific

· Research: NIH, Boston Scientific

K. Ellenbogen

· Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Inc., Abbott

· Royalty Income: Wiley-Blackwell, Elsevier

The Lead Episode 159: A Discussion of Atrial Mechanical Contraction Predicts Cerebrovascular Risk in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy and Sinus Rhythm Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, in conversation with Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FHRS, about the journal article, Atrial Mechanical Contraction Predicts Cerebrovascular Risk in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy and Sinus Rhythm. Together, they discuss the study findings and explore the relationship between atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy who are in sinus rhythm.

Learning Objectives:

Review the key findings of the study examining atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy and sinus rhythm.
Discuss the association between atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in this patient population.
Explore the potential clinical implications of assessing atrial mechanical function in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Host: Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS

Guests:

Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH

Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FHRS

Disclosures:

M. Lloyd

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Other

T. Baykaner

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific
Research: NIH, Boston Scientific

P. Sanders

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical
Other Financial Relationships: Medtronic PLC, Pacemate, CathRx
Research: Abbott, Becton Dickinson, Calyan Technologies, Ceryx Medical, Biosense Webster, CathRx, HelloAlfred, Medtronic, Inc., Abbott Medical

The Lead Episode 158: A Discussion of Device-Related Complications in Transvenous Versus Subcutaneous Defibrillator Therapy During Long-Term Follow-Up: The PRAETORIAN-XL Trial Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Robert Schaller, DO, FHRS, is joined by Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Maulin Shah, MD, to discuss the journal article, Device-Related Complications in Transvenous Versus Subcutaneous Defibrillator Therapy During Long-Term Follow-Up: The PRAETORIAN-XL Trial. Together, they review the study's long-term follow-up findings and explore device-related complications associated with transvenous and subcutaneous defibrillator therapy.

Learning Objectives:

Review the long-term follow-up results of the PRAETORIAN-XL Trial comparing transvenous and subcutaneous defibrillator therapy.
Discuss device-related complications associated with transvenous and subcutaneous implantable defibrillator systems.
Examine the clinical considerations of defibrillator therapy selection based on long-term device-related outcomes.

Host: Robert Schaller, DO, FHRS

Guests: Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH and Maulin Shah, MD

Disclosures:

R. Schaller

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Philips, Abbott Medical
Officer/Trustee/Director/Committee Chair/Other Fiduciary Role: Imricor
Other Financial Relationship: Other

T. Baykaner

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific
Research: NIH, Boston Scientific

M Shah

No relevant disclosures

The Lead Episode 157: A Discussion of Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Sarcoidosis Using a Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Model Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS, is joined by Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS, and Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Sarcoidosis Using a Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Model. Together, they review the study's approach to using a multimodal artificial intelligence model to predict sudden cardiac death risk in patients with sarcoidosis and discuss the potential implications of these findings.

Learning Objectives

Review the methodology and key findings of a multimodal artificial intelligence model developed to predict sudden cardiac death in patients with sarcoidosis.
Discuss the potential role of artificial intelligence–based risk prediction in the evaluation of patients with sarcoidosis.
Examine the clinical implications of sudden cardiac death risk stratification in this patient population.

Host: Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS

Guests: Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS and Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS

Disclosures:

Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS

• Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Medtronic, Inc.

Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS

• Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Abbott

• Stock Options: Nanowear Inc.

• Other Non-Financial Relationships: Biosense Webster, Inc., Boston Scientific

Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS

• Research: National Institutes of Heath, American Heart Association

• Ownership/Partnership: WearLinq, Inc.

• Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Other

The Lead Episode 156: A Discussion of The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, is joined by John M. Mandrola, MD, and Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial. Together, they explore the relationship between atrial fibrillation burden and quality of life, reviewing findings from this substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial and discussing their relevance to patient-centered outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Review the key findings from the SHAM-PVI Trial substudy examining the association between atrial fibrillation burden and quality of life.
Discuss the relationship between atrial fibrillation burden and patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes.
Explore the implications of assessing both arrhythmia burden and quality of life when evaluating treatment outcomes in atrial fibrillation.

Host: Christopher Kowalewski, MD

Guests: John M. Mandrola, MD and Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS

Disclosures:

Christopher Kowalewski, MD

No relevant disclosures

John M. Mandrola, MD

No relevant disclosures

Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS

• Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Biosense Webster, Inc., Boston Scientific, AtriCure, Inc., Abbott, Sanofi

• Research: Abbott, Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic, Siemens, General Electric, Boston Scientific, Sanofi, Samsung

The Lead Episode 155: A Discussion of A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy as a First Line Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AVANT GUARD) Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Christopher C. Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS, is joined by Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS, and Paul C. Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy as a First Line Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AVANT GUARD). Together, they review the study design and findings, examining pulsed field ablation and anti-arrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment approaches for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Learning Objectives

Review the design and key findings of the AVANT GUARD study comparing pulsed field ablation with anti-arrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation.
Discuss the potential role of pulsed field ablation as an initial treatment strategy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Examine the comparative considerations of ablation-based and pharmacologic approaches in the management of persistent atrial fibrillation.

Podcast Contributors:

Host: Christopher C Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS

Guests: Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS and Paul C Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS

Disclosures:

Christopher C Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Inc., Biotronik, Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott

Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Inc., Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Boston Scientific, Varian Medical Systems
Other Non-Financial Relationships: Adagio Medical, Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical
Research: Abbott Medical
Officer, Trustee, Director, Committee Chair, or Other Fiduciary Role: American College of Cardiology

Paul C Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS

Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Varian Medical Systems, Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Boston Scientific, APT Medical
Research: Biosense Webster, Inc.

The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS, is joined by Babak Nazer, MD, and Rajesh Kabra, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6-Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study. Together, they review the study's six-month findings and explore the safety and effectiveness of a dual-energy focal ablation catheter for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Learning Objectives

Review the six-month results of the FlexPulse IDE Study evaluating a dual-energy focal ablation catheter for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Discuss the safety outcomes reported in the study and their implications for clinical practice.
Examine the effectiveness findings of the dual-energy focal ablation approach in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Podcast Contributors

Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS Babak Nazer, MD Rajesh Kabra, MD, FHRS

Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):

S. Saha• Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Medtronic, Inc.

B. Nazer •Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Edwards Lifesciences, Biosense Webster, Inc., Siemens Healthineers

•Research: Siemens Healthineers

R. Kabra •Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: AtriCure, Inc., Biosense Webster, Inc., Milestone Pharmaceuticals, AltaThera Pharmaceuticals •Research: Abbott Medical, Medtronic, Inc.

The Lead Episode 153: A Discussion of Exercise Capacity and Quality-of-Life Improvements after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clinically Asymptomatic Persistent Atrial Fibrillation May 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Lead, host Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS is joined by Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Adrian D. Elliott, PhD for a discussion of the recent journal article, Exercise Capacity and Quality-of-Life Improvements after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clinically Asymptomatic Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Together, they explore the study findings and discuss the impact of catheter ablation on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with clinically asymptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.

Learning Objectives

Review the key findings from the journal article examining exercise capacity and quality-of-life outcomes after catheter ablation in patients with clinically asymptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation.
Discuss the potential clinical implications of catheter ablation for patients who may not report traditional atrial fibrillation symptoms.
Explore the role of exercise capacity and quality-of-life measures in evaluating treatment outcomes for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Podcast Contributors:

Host: Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS

Guests: Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Adrian D. Elliott, PhD

Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):

M. Middeldorp: Nothing to disclose

J. Dziano: Nothing to disclose

A. Elliiott: Nothing to disclose

The Lead Episode 151: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial May 21, 2026

Show notes

This late-breaking sub-analysis from the CHAMPION-AF trial evaluated outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the WATCHMAN FLX device versus oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation who had previously undergone catheter ablation. Investigators found that LAAC provided similar protection against stroke, cardiovascular death, and systemic embolism compared with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), while significantly reducing non-procedural bleeding events, regardless of prior ablation status. These findings suggest LAAC may be a viable alternative to long-term anticoagulation in select post-ablation AF patients through a shared decision-making approach.

Join Digital Education Committee member Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS and his colleagues Scott C. Brancato, MD, FHRS and Rakesh Gopinathannair, MBA, MD, FHRS for this late-breaking coverage from Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago!

Learning Objectives

Review the rationale for left atrial appendage closure as an alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation following catheter ablation.
Analyze the CHAMPION-AF sub-analysis outcomes comparing LAAC and NOAC therapy with respect to stroke prevention, cardiovascular outcomes, and bleeding risk.
Discuss how these findings may influence patient selection and shared decision-making for stroke prevention strategies in post-ablation atrial fibrillation care.

Podcast Contributors Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS Scott C. Brancato, MD, FHRS Rakesh Gopinathannair, MBA, MD, FHRS

Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):

S. Brancato

Nothing to disclose. R. Gopinathannair

Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Heart Rhythm Society, AltaThera Pharmaceuticals
Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Abbott, Johnson and Johnson, Boston Scientific, Sanofi

S. Saha

Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Medtronic
Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Medtronic

The Lead Episode 152: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial (New England Journal of Medicine) May 21, 2026

Show notes

This New England Journal of Medicine study from the CHAMPION-AF trial compared left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using the WATCHMAN FLX device with non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in 3,000 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation eligible for anticoagulation therapy. The trial found that LAAC was noninferior to NOACs for preventing stroke, cardiovascular death, and systemic embolism, while significantly reducing non-procedural bleeding over three years of follow-up. These findings suggest LAAC may emerge as a viable first-line alternative to long-term anticoagulation in appropriately selected AF patients.

Digital Education Committee Member Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS discusses this article from the Heart Rhythm Journal that preceded the Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaking Clinical Trial. He is joined in the conversation by Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, Ammar M. Killu, MBBS, and Gregory M. Marcus, MD, FHRS.

Learning Objectives

Describe the rationale for left atrial appendage closure as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation.
Review the efficacy and safety outcomes from the CHAMPION-AF sub-analysis comparing LAAC and NOAC therapy in post-ablation AF patients.
Discuss patient selection considerations and the role of shared decision-making when choosing stroke prevention strategies following AF ablation.

Podcast Contributors Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS Ammar M. Killu, MBBS Gregory M. Marcus, MD, FHRS

Host and Contributor Disclosure(s):

J.T. Jacobson

•Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Abbott Medical •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Zoll Medical Corporation, Vektor Medical, Inc. •Research: CardioFocus, Inc., Johnson and Johnson •Stocks, Privately Held: Atlas 5D D. Kella •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: Zoll Medical Corporation, MBW Spectrum A. Killu •Board/Advisory Committee Membership: Boston Scientific •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: AtriCure, Inc., Abbott, Biosense Webster, Inc., Siemans Healthineers •Research: Boston Scientific, Access Point Technologies G.M. Marcus •Honoraria/Speaking/Teaching/Consulting: InCarda Therapeutics •Research: NIH, PCORI, TRDRP •Stocks, Publicly Traded: InCarda Therapeutics

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