What does it take to turn fundamental science into meaningful advances in patient care? Today, we hear from Marie Hollenhorst, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-scientist working at the intersection of patient care and research. She discusses her early curiosity about blood science and shares some of the latest research from her lab in the U.S., including the 2024 ISTH Fundamental Research Career Development Award–funded project. Dr. Hollenhorst reflects on what the award has meant for her career, the importance of sustained investment in fundamental research and her experience mentoring an ISTH Training Fellow.

Patients with cancer face a significantly higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but despite decades of awareness, robust evidence for inpatient thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients is still lacking. Alok Khorana, M.D., an expert on cancer-associated thrombosis, joins the podcast to unpack this critical issue and discuss how we can improve thrombosis prevention and treatment for patients with cancer. Plus, Khorana shares important insights from his recent editorial published in Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis (RPTH) on the public health impact of cancer-associated VTE: www.rpthjournal.org/article/S2475-0379(25)00623-5/fulltext

Our host sits down with the Lord Ajay Kakkar, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, as he reflects on his professional journey and the key moments that shaped his career, including his unique experiences working at the intersection of medicine and government with the U.K. Parliament. He also shares the profound influence of his late father, Vijay Kakkar, M.D., and how family legacy has informed his own approach to mentorship and governance. Tune in to this thoughtful conversation on science and service.

The Bleeding Disorders Research Collaborative (BDRC) is a groundbreaking initiative reshaping how bleeding disorders research is designed, conducted and prioritized. Joining the conversation are Michael Recht and Maria Santaella from the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. Learn how the BDRC evolved from a national research blueprint, why patients are recognized as lived experience experts and how health equity is being intentionally built into research design and community partnerships. Learn more at www.bleeding.org/research/bleeding-disorders-research-collaborative.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains one of the most complex and high-stakes emergencies in medicine. In this episode of the ISTH Pulse Podcast, we’re joined by Stavros Konstantinides, M.D., to explore why gaps in PE treatment persist and how emerging evidence may help close them. Dr. Konstantinides breaks down the current landscape of PE management, the limitations of anticoagulation alone and the real-world impact of variability in care. Plus, listeners will hear results from STORM-PE randomized controlled trial, which could influence frontline clinical practice and patient access to advanced PE therapies. Please note that this episode is supported by Penumbra.

The countdown to the ISTH 2026 Congress in Paris has officially begun and we’re taking you behind the scenes of the planning process! In this episode, we sit down with members of the Congress leadership team to explore what makes the upcoming meeting truly special. Listen as our guests dive into what attendees can expect in Paris, including exciting updates to the scientific program, special sessions and themes designed to highlight innovation across thrombosis and hemostasis. With abstract submissions now open as of December 1, our guests also share valuable tips for researchers preparing their submissions, explain why contributing your science matters, and offer insights into what makes an abstract stand out in a highly competitive review process.

Whether you’re a seasoned ISTH attendee or planning your first Congress, this episode offers an inspiring look at everything happening on the road to Paris. Tune in and get ready for an unforgettable #ISTH2026. Learn more: www.isthcongress.org/

Join guests Dr. May Anne Cheong and Dr. Thita Joy Chiasakul to learn how digital platforms are transforming the way scientific research is communicated and elevated across the global thrombosis and hemostasis community. As Social Media Editors of the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (JTH), they unpack the strategies that help researchers cut through the noise with clear, impactful messaging that resonates worldwide. The conversation also explores emerging best practices for using AI responsibly in publishing to strengthen the visibility and integrity of scientific work. Learn more about JTH at jthjournal.org.

In this episode, we explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in thrombosis and hemostasis with Nikola Vladic. Drawing from his personal experience with hematological malignancy and his passion for clinical research, Nikola discusses his recent study comparing the performance of AI language models, including ChatGPT, LaMDA Mistral, and DeepSeek, to thrombosis experts in clinical decision-making and patient education. The conversation dives into how these models performed and what this means for the future of medical practice. Listeners will also hear insights on the ethical implications, collaborative nature of AI-driven research and the next steps in advancing responsible innovation within thrombosis care. Read the entire study published in JTH: www.jthjournal.org/article/S1538-7836(25)00592-6/fulltext

In this episode, we explore groundbreaking new research from Stanford University that could revolutionize the way thrombectomy procedures are performed. Renee Zhao, Ph.D., discusses an innovative “milli-spinner” device, designed to improve precision and success rates in clot removal. Hear how Zhao and her team are using soft robotics to make new breakthroughs that could transform patient outcomes. Read more about this new research here: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202508180 and watch these videos to learn more about the milli-spinner procedure:

Overview video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8--vxLNgu4Y

Mag milli-spinner swims in blood vessel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0V7k2_b3eA

Mag milli-spinner "eats" a clot: www.youtube.com/watch?v=00HUJu_O7SM

While anticoagulation remains the cornerstone of DVT and PE management, advances in catheter-based therapies are offering new hope for patients who need more than medication alone. Host Geoffrey Barnes, M.D. sits down with Vic Tapson, M.D., professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Inari Medical and Andrew Niekamp, M.D. an interventional radiologist specializing in minimally invasive endovascular treatments and Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Stryker, to discuss when and how these innovative interventions are changing standards of care. Whether you're a clinician managing VTE patients or a researcher interested in the latest advances in thrombosis care, this episode offers practical perspectives on an evolving area of treatment. This episode is supported by Inari Medical, now part of Stryker.