JHLT: The Podcast

This month on JHLT The Podcast, JHLT Digital Media Editor Van-Khue Ton, MD, takes over hosting duties to present two unique papers from the November issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Listen now to hear study authors discuss their work, their studies, and next steps for their research.

First, we welcome first author Megan M. Collins, MD, about her team's study from the University of Utah entitled "Attitudes & practices surrounding pregnancy post heart transplantation among pediatric providers." Dr. Collins shares her journey from being an undergraduate economics major to her current career in pediatrics, including how strategy and game theory have helped her better understand her patients and thrive during her pediatric cardiology fellowship.

The study itself is exceptionally important as more pediatric heart transplant recipients reach adulthood and become interested in family planning. The study consisted of confidential and voluntary web surveys of pediatric heart transplant doctors, exploring their behaviors and policies around pregnancy and family planning.

Next, R. James White, MD, from the division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, shares details on the study "Contemporary Risk Scores Predict Clinical Worsening in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension – An Analysis of FREEDOM-EV." Dr. White is the senior author on the study, and discusses how he became interested in risk scores for pulmonary arterial hypertension, including some of the exciting data that they reveal.

Prior to this study, none of the event-driven trials in PAH had previously incorporated serial assessment of risk scores like hemodynamics, laboratory values, exercise tolerance, and symptoms at baseline. Using data from the FREEDOM-EV trial, the study retrospectively compared the discriminant power of 4 risk scores, REVEAL 2.0, REVEAL Lite 2, 4-strata COMPERA 2.0, and the non-invasive French risk assessment, in predicting patients' clinical worsening at baseline and at a 12-week follow up. You won't want to miss Dr. White's insights on this comparison!

Follow along in the November issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This episode of JHLT: The Podcast, but not the studies within, is sponsored by Altavant Sciences.

For this month's episode, JHLT The Podcast explores two impactful studies from the October issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. The episode is hosted by Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, who is joined by the JHLT Digital Media Editors. Listen now to hear study authors discuss their work, their studies, and next steps for their research.

First, the editors speak with first author Michael Harhay, PhD (pictured left) and senior author Edward Cantu, MD (pictured right), about their study from the University of Pennsylvania entitled "Epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of lung retransplantation: an analysis of the ISHLT Transplant Registry." Dr. Goldstein and Erika Lease, MD, interview Drs. Harhay and Cantu about the study.

The objective of the study was to leverage the ISHLT Thoracic Transplant registry using an updated cohort of patients that underwent lung retransplantation to obtain an updated summary of the epidemiology of lung retransplantation; to examine the importance of the time between primary transplantation and retransplantation on outcomes after retransplantation; and to identify risk factors of mortality following lung retransplantation.

Next, we hear from Anne Dipchand, MD (pictured), Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, who is senior author on the study, "Eplet matching in pediatric heart transplantation: The SickKids experience." Dr. Goldstein and David Schibilsky, MD, discuss the study with Dr. Dipchand.

This single-center retrospective study measured allograft survival in 77 patients while performing HLA typing, antigen mismatch, and eplet mismatch analysis, with the goal of comparing the molecular level HLA matching with antigen level HL matching in post-heart transplant outcomes in children.

Follow along in the October issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This month—two studies on COVID-19! Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, is taking a short break, so the episode is hosted by Digital Media Editor Erika Lease, MD. Both COVID-19 studies come from the September issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, and in the episode, you'll learn more about each study and their authors.

First, the editors speak with Yael Peled, MD, Medical Director of the Heart Transplant Service at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel. She's the first author on a paper entitled "Fourth BNT162b2 vaccination neutralization of omicron infection after heart transplantation." Dr. Lease and Marty Tam, MD, interview Dr. Peled about the study, which examples how IgG and neutralizing antibodies responded to a fourth BNT162b2 dose in heart transplant recipients against the omicron and delta variants versus the wild-type virus.

Next, we hear from C.T. Gan, MD, PhD, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and Lung Transplantation at University Medical Center Groningen, on his study, "The effect of COVID-19 on transplant function and development of CLAD in lung transplant patients: a multicenter experience." Dr. Lease and Van-Khue Ton, MD, discuss the study with Dr. Gan, including questions on management strategies for COVID-19 in lung transplant patients, lung function improvements after COVID-19 recovery, and potential follow up studies.

Follow along in the September issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This episode of JHLT: The Podcast, but not the studies within, is sponsored by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

This month, Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors are discussing two impactful studies—in pediatric heart transplantation and MCS—from the August issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. You'll hear more about each of these studies, as well as the authors themselves.

First, the editors speak with Craig Laurence, MD (pictured), a consultant in Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Failure & Transplantation at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, UK. He's the first author on a paper entitled "Pediatric heart transplantation following donation after circulatory death, distant procurement, and ex-situ perfusion." Dr. Goldstein, David Schibilsky, MD, and Erika Lease, MD, interview Dr. Laurence about the study, which compares how patients fare after transplantation with DBD vs DCD hearts. They also discuss his multi-national and multi-faceted background, including training and practicing in four different countries, as well as in clinical care, research, and training the next generation.

Next, we hear from Ravi Karra, MD, Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pathology at Duke University, senior author of the study, "Recovery of left ventricular function is associated with improved outcomes in LVAD recipients." Van-Khue Ton, MD, and Marty Tam, MD, discuss the study with Dr. Karra, including questions on the mechanisms by which LVEF may impact improved outcomes, optimal doses of GDMT, and how gender influences LV recovery. They also discuss how Dr. Karra's lab balances translational research and epidemiological research, and how Dr. Karra splits his time between all his different responsibilities.

Follow along in the August issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This episode of JHLT: The Podcast, but not the studies within, is sponsored by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

This month, Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors are discussing two studies from the July issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, one from the LVAD domain and the other from the field of lung transplantation. You'll hear more about each of these studies, as well as the authors themselves.

First, the editors speak with Paulino Alvarez, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic, about his paper entitled "Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with left ventricular assist devices." Dr. Goldstein, Marty Tam, MD, and Van-Khue Ton, MD, interview Dr. Alvarez about the study, which explores how treatments for obesity alter the course after LVAD implantations. They also discuss his background studying in Argentina, the differences in training in different countries, and how to incorporate interventions like rehab and nutrition in patients post-LVAD.

Next, a study on the lung transplant allocation system with co-authors Erika Lease, MD (pictured left, from the JHLT Digital Media Editorial team!) and Maryam Valapour, MD, MPP (pictured right). Drs. Lease and Valapour share details about their multidisciplinary backgrounds, and how those experiences have influenced their research careers. Then, they share details about their study: "Impact of incorporating long-term survival for calculating transplant benefit in the US lung transplant allocation system." They discuss both components and challenges with the current US lung allocation system, then identify how their study explores the benefits of the continuous distribution of lungs (CD) allocation system.

Follow along in the July issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This episode of JHLT: The Podcast, but not the studies within, is sponsored by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Join Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors for two interviews with groups of authors from the June issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. You'll hear more about each of these teams as well as more about the work they're publishing this month.

First, the editors speak with senior author Evgenij V. Potapov, MD (left) and first author Jaime-Jürgen Eulert-Grehn, MD (right), both of the German Heart Center, about their paper entitled "Defibrillator generator replacements in patients with left ventricular assist device support: The risks of hematoma and infection."

Van-Khue Ton, MD, and David Schibilsky, MD, interview Drs. Potapov and Eulert-Grehn about balancing their work as surgeon-scientists, their training and background, and some fascinating upcoming research questions, including a career switch for Dr. Eulert-Grehn!

They go on to explore the study, including the reasons for higher infections in the LVAD group, risk profiles, and study design.

Next, Erika Lease, MD, and Dr. Goldstein join first author Toshihiro Okamoto, MD, PhD (left) and senior author Kenneth McCurry, MD (right), on their study: "Clinical significance of donor lung weight at procurement and during ex vivo lung perfusion."

Drs. Okamoto and McCurry share how their team collaborates to balance surgical, administrative, and research responsibilities, and Dr. Okamoto discusses how training across multiple countries bolstered his skills.

They go on to discuss the study, which aimed to determine the correlation between donor lung weight and post-transplant outcomes, while also investigating the significance of donor lung weight at the end of EVLP as a marker for suitability.

Follow along in the June issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

Join Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors for two interviews with authors from the May issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. You'll hear about the scientific journey of each of these authors as well as more about the work they're publishing this month.

First, the editors speak with John Greenland, MD, PhD (pictured), from the University of California San Francisco, who is the first author of a paper entitled "Lung transplant recipients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have impaired alloreactive immune responses." Erika Lease, MD, interviews Dr. Greenland about his PhD journey, his dedication to research, and how he keeps clinical work from outcompeting his research tasks. He even shares some pearls of advice for aspiring physician-scientists before exploring his study, which investigates the role of telomere dysfunction on T-cell proliferation to donor antigens in patients who undergo lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IDF).

Next, David Schibilsky, MD, and Marty Tam, MD, are in conversation with author Tamta Tkhilaishvili, MD, PhD (pictured), from the University of Rostock, on her study: "Bacteriophage therapy as a treatment option for complex cardiovascular implant infection: The German Heart Center Berlin experience." Dr. Tkhilaishvili shares her journey through an interdisciplinary PhD, but also what it's been like to earn a PhD in Germany without knowing the German language. It's a fascinating international and multidisciplinary story! She also shares her work on treating implanted cardiovascular device infections using bacteriophage therapy, an innovative new management strategy.

Follow along in the May issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

This episode of JHLT: The Podcast, but not the studies within, is sponsored by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Join Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors for two interviews with first authors from the April issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Both studies relate to viruses in thoracic organ transplantation—but not coronaviruses!

Josue Villegas-Galaviz, MD (pictured), from the University of Kentucky, who is the first author of a paper entitled "Clinical outcomes of heart transplantation using hepatitis c-viremic donors." Marty Tam, MD, and David Schibilsky, MD, interview Dr. Villegas-Galaviz about his multi-country journey to become a clinical and research fellow. They also explore the findings of his study, including its potential impacts on the practice of using Hep C positive donors in heart transplantation.

Next, Erika Lease, MD, is in conversation with first author Jennifer Saullo, MD, PharmD (pictured), from Duke University, on her study: "Cytomegalovirus prevention in thoracic organ transplantation: A single-center evaluation of letermovir prophylaxis." Dr. Saullo shares how she made the decision to be educated as both a pharmacist and a physician, how that training has helped her throughout her career, and how she finds time for research amid these dual roles. She also shares her team's work on CMV, the "troll of transplantation," and some key take aways from using letermovir.

Follow along in the April issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

Join Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors for two interviews with first and senior authors from two studies in the March issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. They're also joined by JHLT Social Media Editor Aman Sidhu, MSc, MD, to help host the show.

First, the editors speak with both the first and last authors of a paper entitled "Post-transplantation outcomes of sensitized patients receiving durable mechanical circulatory support." Jong-Chan Youn, MD, PhD, is the first author on the paper, and Jon A. Kobashigawa, MD, former ISHLT president, is the senior author on the publication. Marty Tam, MD, and David Schibilsky, MD, interview Drs. Youn and Kobashigawa about the findings of this clinically impactful article.

Next, Erika Lease, MD, and JHLT Social Media Editor Aman Sidhu, MSc, MD, are in conversation with senior author Marcelo Cypel, MD, and first author Rafaela Pinto Ribeiro, MD, about their study from the March issue: "Ex vivo treatment of cytomegalovirus in human donor lungs using a novel chemokine-based immunotoxin." Drs. Pinto Ribeiro and Cypel discuss their team's work tackling CMV using this innovative approach to EVLP.

Follow along in the March issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.

Join Daniel R. Goldstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of JHLT, and the JHLT Digital Media Editors for two interviews with authors from the February issue of The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

First, the editors speak with Georg Hansmann, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Hannover Medical School. Dr. Hansmann is the lead author on a paper entitled "Full recovery of right ventricular systolic function in children undergoing bilateral lung transplantation for severe PAH." Beginning at 1:37, Erika Lease, MD, interviews Dr. Hansmann about the findings of the study, follow up recommendations, and potential practice changes in clinical settings.

Starting at 14:27, Marty Tam, MD, is in conversation with Jan Griffin, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, about her study from the February issue: "Surveillance for disease progression of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) post heart transplantation in the era of novel disease modifying therapies." Dr. Griffin discusses her team's work on transplanting patients with TTR cardiac amyloidosis, a structured surveillance program, and disease modifying agents post-transplant.

Follow along in the February issue at www.jhltonline.org/current, or, if you're an ISHLT member, log in at ishlt.org/journal-of-heart-lung-transplantation. Don't already get the Journal and want to read along? Join the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation at www.ishlt.org for a free subscription, or subscribe today at www.jhltonline.org.