CT Scan for Coronary Artery Calcification Window

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning can help improving our assessment of the risk of heart attack or stroke in thoughtfully selected patients. Not everyone needs a CAC scan! The results of a CAC scan can be particularly helpful in deciding whether a patient should start medications to reduce their risk. Coronary artery calcium scanning is *not* used to follow a patient’s risk over time (to see whether the risk is decreasing or increasing).

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Management of Postoperative Pericarditis.

Guest: Melissa Erdman, P.A.-C.

Guest: Juan Crestanello, M.D.

Host: Sharonne Hayes, M.D.

In this podcast, Mayo Clinic experts explore the complexities of diagnosing and managing postoperative pericarditis, a condition that presents unique challenges compared to other forms of pericarditis. The discussion delves into how this complication differs in presentation and progression, outlines current treatment approaches used in clinical practice, and examines potential preventive strategies that surgeons and care teams can implement to reduce its incidence and severity.

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

How a Years Worth of Experience of PFA for AF has Revolutionized My Practice

Guest: Christopher DeSimone, M.D., Ph.D.

Guest: Abhishek Deshmukh, M.B.B.S.

Host: Anthony H. Kashou, M.D.

Patients most commonly have undergone traditional catheter ablation for AF via a thermal energy source. A newer energy modality is called Pulsed Field Ablation – using very high energy pulsation of strong voltages to destroy tissue responsible for AF. At Mayo Clinic, we have significant expertise in using this technology for our patients. This has changed our ablation practice, approach to ablation, and has made a tremendous impact on AF management.   

Topics Discussed:

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Lipoprotein (a) Elevation: What Does it do to CV Risk and What do You Need to Know About Treatment

Guest: Vlad Vasile, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Lipoprotein (a) is a blood biomarker that poses independent risk of heart attacks and stroke when elevated. All patients should be screened for this biomarker. Currently, there are no efficient treatments for lipoprotein (a) elevations, but likely the scenery will change as we will have treatments available in the near future. For now, we recommend a healthy lifestyle, medications that lower cholesterol, aspirin and screening of all first-degree relatives of patients with elevated lipoprotein (a), including children.

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

How to Tell Patients about Adding in Intervals to Their Physical Activity Program

Guest: Kate Russell, C.E.P.

Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Intervals are a hugely beneficial addition to any exercise program. As with any exercise topic, finding good information can be difficult and overwhelming. We will discuss how to modify intervals to fit patients of all ages, fitness levels, and limitations

Topics Discussed:

Click here for the citation for the research article that Dr. Kopecky references, or see below:

Stamatakis E, Ahmadi M, Biswas RK, et al. Br J Sports Med Epub ahead of print: [01.13.2025]. doi:10.1136/ bjsports-2024-108484

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Role of Thrombophilia Testing in Venous Thromboembolism

Guest: Ana Casanegra, M.D., M.S.

Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D.

Thrombophilia testing identifies inherited or acquired conditions that increase the risk of abnormal blood clotting. Sometimes it can help us guide management decisions for patients, but who and when to test are key questions to address before making this decision.

Topics Discussed:

Easily check your diet with mini-eat.org as discussed by Dr. Lara-Breitinger and Dr. Kopecky! 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Electrophysiology Considerations in Oncology Patients

Guest: Nicholas Tan, M.D., M.S.

Host: Anthony H. Kashou, M.D.

In today’s episode of ECG Making Waves, Dr. Anthony Kashou interviews Dr. Nicholas Tan on how clinicians should consider electrophysiology in the patient with cancer. After listening to this episode, learners will understand the relationship between cancer and heart rhythm disorders, as well as begin to appreciate how cancer and arrhythmia treatments can interact.

Topics Discussed:

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Chronic Total Occlusion in 2025

Guest: Gregory Barsness, M.D.

Host: Malcolm Bell, M.D.

Chronic (>3 months) complete epicardial coronary obstructive lesions, often referred to as CTOs, are recognized in a large minority of those referred for coronary angiography yet historically represent <5% of coronary intervention attempts.  Improving tools, techniques and strategies have allowed greater access to percutaneous management of symptomatic coronary disease with improved procedural safety and technical and clinical success. 

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Supplements for Cardiovascular Prevention

Guest: Lisa M. Gilman, APRN, C.N.P.

Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Supplement use is a growing industry in which patients seek additional potential benefit of reducing disease burden and improving overall health.  This presentation will be an overview of supplements used to address cardiovascular disease prevention

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.

Role of Genetics in the Heart Failure Clinic

Guest: Naveen Pereira, M.D.

Host: Kyle Klarich, M.D.

Genetic testing for heart failure is most beneficial for patients with cardiomyopathies. It aids in personalized treatment, early diagnosis, and family risk assessment, although its uptake has been slow due to costs, access, and interpretation challenges. Ongoing research into genetic mutations and their role in cardiomyopathy pathophysiology could lead to new therapeutic targets and improved disease management.

Topics Discussed:

• Which patients with heart failure should get genetic testing?

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

No CME credit offered for this episode.

Podcast episode transcript found here.