Parallax by Ankur Kalra

In this week's episode, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes authors Dr Srihari Naidu and Lindsay Davis to discuss their newly published children's book, Lindsay's Big Heart. A leading interventional cardiologist, Dr Naidu, and patient advocate, Ms Davis, have collaborated to bring the complex heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to life for young readers.

Lindsay Davis shares her personal journey with HCM, offering a firsthand perspective on the challenges and triumphs of living with the condition. Dr Srihari Naidu discusses the importance of translating complex medical information into a format that children can understand and appreciate. As a parent himself, he was inspired to create a resource that would help families navigate the complexities of HCM.

The authors share the challenges and rewards of bringing Lindsay's Big Heart to publication, from securing a publisher to finalising the illustrations. They believe that the book can help children feel more informed and empowered, reducing fear and anxiety associated with HCM. Additionally, they hope the book will raise awareness of the condition and encourage early diagnosis and treatment.

Join us as we delve into the inspiration behind the book, the writing process, and the importance of accurate and engaging medical education for children.

This week on Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Dr Marc Gerdisch to discuss a groundbreaking study on reducing opioid use after cardiac surgery.

Dr Marc Gerdisch is the Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and Co-Director of the Heart Valve Center and Atrial Fibrillation Program at Franciscan St. Francis Health. He is a senior partner at Cardiac Surgery Associates and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr Gerdisch shares insights into his research on rigid sternal fixation and enhanced recovery protocols, which have shown promising results in postoperative pain management and patient recovery.

In this episode, Dr Kalra and Dr Gerdisch discuss the specifics of the study, including the four-cohort design and the steps taken to expedite opioid-free recovery. Dr Gerdisch also shares valuable advice on overcoming physician inertia and building a strong case for implementing such a programme, including cost-benefit analysis considerations.

What motivated the study? How can a holistic approach to cardiac surgery recovery be implemented? What advice does Dr Gerdisch have for our listeners?

Sources:

Gerdisch MW, et al. Ann Thorax Surg 2024. Rigid Sternal Fixation and Enhanced Recovery for Opioid-Free Analgesia After Cardiac Surgery. DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.06.032

CE Cox. TCTMD 2024. Holistic Approach to Cardiac Surgery Can Sharply Cut Opioid Use. Available at: https://www.tctmd.com/news/holistic-approach-cardiac-surgery-can-sharply-cut-opioid-use. Accessed August 12, 2024.

In this enlightening episode of Parallax, which focuses on guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT), Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by two guests, Dr Georges Chahoud, a Heart Failure Cardiologist at St. Louis Cardiology Consultants in the US, and Dr Carsten Israel, Chief of Cardiology at Bethel-Clinic in Germany.

Building on their expertise, they share insights on how they would personally consult colleagues on how to manage patients with new onset acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and how to optimise this management in the hospital setting.

They cover key topics such as why early initiation of GDMT even before hospital discharge is important, what other imaging modalities can help in better stratifying patients at risk of sudden cardiac death and they address the management and assessment of the risk for sudden cardiac death in patients on quadruple backbone GDMT.

This episode is a must-listen for all healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing their understanding and treatment of heart failure.

This series is supported by ZOLL and is intended for Health Care Professionals.

In this compelling episode of the Parallax Podcast, host Dr Ankur Kalra sits down with Dr Janarthanan Sathananthan, an interventional and structural cardiologist and the Chief Medical Officer of Interventional Cardiology at Boston Scientific. Dr Sathananthan recounts his life's journey, from being born in Sri Lanka during the civil war, and moving to Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Canada, and finally North America. He shares how his diverse upbringing profoundly shaped his career in cardiology.

Together, Dr Kalra and Dr Sathananthan delve into cultural challenges and lessons learned from Dr Sathananthan’s father, a dentist who experienced significant discrimination throughout his career. They explore Dr Sathananthan's decision to pursue interventional cardiology, and his passion for the intersection of technology and medicine. This episode also delves into Dr Sathananthan's role as Chief Medical Officer at Boston Scientific, focusing on global initiatives to expand coronary therapies and the growth of PCI in the Asia-Pacific region. They also touch on the ongoing struggle to balance work and personal life in a demanding field.

Listeners are invited to submit questions and comments to [email protected], which may be addressed by Dr Kalra in the next episode. Join us for this insightful conversation with Dr Janarthanan Sathananthan on the Parallax Podcast.

Guest: @J_Sathananthan

Host: @AnkurKalraMD

Produced by: @RadcliffeCARDIO

In this week’s Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Shelley Wood, best known for her work in the cardiology community as the editor-in-chief of TCTMD and Editorial Director of CRF. They discuss her work as a creative author and her second novel, "The Leap Year Gene of Kit McKinley " set to be published by Harper Collins in Canada and Union Square Press in the US in August 2024.

Blending the intrigue of a medical thriller with a sweeping overview of the twentieth century, "The Leap Year Gene of Kit McKinley" tells the story of Kit McKinley, whose rare genetic condition causes her to age one year for every four. In this rich discussion, Ms Wood shares how her extensive experience as a medical writer and editor shaped her approach to crafting the novel. Dr Kalra and Ms Wood also explore one of the book’s central themes: eugenics, tracing its historical roots and examining its long shadow on medicine.

Ms Wood, who balances a demanding full-time job with her creative writing, shares candid insights into her routine and the challenges of writing and publishing fiction.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, the human condition, and balancing responsibilities.

To pre-order Shelley Wood new novel search for The Leap Year Gene/ The Leap Year Gene of Kit McKinley in your favourite independent bookshop or click here: https://www.unionsquareandco.com/9781454956297/the-leap-year-gene-of-kit-mckinley-by-shelley-wood/

This week on Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Eric Radtke, Vice President at Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc, and Barbara Breininger, a cardiovascular radiologic technologist and clinical manager with 26 years of experience.

This special episode dives deep into the crucial topic of radiation hygiene, exploring it from the perspectives of both manufacturers and users of radiation safety products.

Barbara Breininger shares her experiences traveling nationwide to educate healthcare professionals on radiation safety, emphasizing the need for collective awareness and best practices in cath labs.

Eric Radtke discusses the company's evolving focus on radiation safety, the origins of their initiatives, and the concerning impacts of radiation exposure as revealed by recent studies. We'll also explore practical steps to enhance safety and delve into the RADPAD tools that can shield interventional cardiologists and allied professionals from exposure.

How can we protect ourselves from radiation in the Cath lab? How can we raise awareness of radiation hygiene?

Trials mentioned in the episode:

Aizer A, Qiu JK, Cheng AV, et al. Utilization of a Radiation Safety Time-Out Reduces Radiation Exposure During Electrophysiology Procedures. JACC EP 2019; 5:5:626-634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2018.12.002

Ahmad IM, Abdalla YM, Moore TA, et al. Healthcare Workers Occupationally Exposed to Ionizing Radiation Exhibit Altered Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines and Redox Parameters. Antioxidants 2019; 8:1. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8010012

Support: This episode is supported by Radcliffe Cardiology; it received no funding from Worldwide Innovations & Technologies.

In this week’s Parallax, host Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Jonathan Fisher, a cardiologist, organizational well-being leader, and bestselling author of Just One Heart: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness.

In this compelling conversation, Dr Fisher shares his personal experience with burnout within the US healthcare system. He provides a concise overview of the roots of Western medicine's culture and the current epidemic of physician burnout and depression. Dr Kalra then invites him to explore solutions for reversing these negative trends and enhancing patient care. Dr Fisher discusses the workshops he leads, emphasizing core principles like positive attitude, compassion, connection, and teamwork. He also offers a sneak peek into his new book that extends the discussion to a wider audience.

Tune in for a rich discussion on the future of healthcare, well-being, and rediscovering the human connection at the heart of medicine.

Just One Heart: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness is available to order here: https://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Heart-Cardiologists-Happiness-ebook/dp/B0D1526W7D

Dr Ankur Kalra’s guest this week is Dr Saraschandra Vallabhajosyula, Interventional and Critical Care Cardiologist, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Rhode Island Hospital, the Miriam Hospital and Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute. In this episode of Parallax, they delve into the latest insights from ACC.24 through the lens of five pivotal late-breaking trials.

Dr Vallabhajosyula offers a deep dive into the nuances of each study. Together, Dr Kalra and Dr Vallabhajosyula distil the complexities of these trials into key messages for practice, grounded in their own clinical experiences.

In the spotlight are five key trials:

1. DanGer Shock: Microaxial Flow Pump or Standard Care in Infarct-Related Cardiogenic Shock

2. RELIEVE-HF: Safety and effectiveness of the V-Wave® Ventura® Interatrial Shunt for the treatment of heart failure (HF)

3. PREVENT: Preventive PCI or medical therapy alone for vulnerable atherosclerotic coronary plaque

4. REDUCE AMI: Decreased usage of beta-blockers after acute myocardial infarction

5. ORBITA-COSMIC: Coronary sinus reducer for the treatment of refractory angina

Dr Kalra and Dr Vallabhajosyula dissect the practical implications of these trials, answering pressing questions and addressing emerging dilemmas. What are the key takeaways from ACC.24? How do these findings shape contemporary clinical practice?

In this week’s episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Dr Shashank Sinha. Dr Sinha is an Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Transplant Cardiologist at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, where he serves as Co-Medical Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and Director of the Cardiovascular Critical Care Research Program. Additionally, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

In this episode, Dr Sinha shares his insights on leadership after participating in the prestigious Presidential Leadership Scholars Programme. This programme, designed for mid-career professionals with 10+ years of experience, aims to foster bipartisan, action-oriented leaders. Dr Sinha discusses what motivated him to apply for the programme and guides us through the practical details of the process. Ankur asks him about his modules and the lessons he derived from this multidisciplinary programme.

Dr Sinha and Dr Kalra discuss civic duty and the values that can be nurtured to make a difference on a larger scale. Dr Kalra also asks about Dr Sinha's approach to conflict management and combating inherent bias.

What is the Presidential Leadership Programme? What qualities constitute a good leader? How can individuals foster their leadership skills?

In this informative episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by Dr Andrew Darlington, an Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologist at Piedmont Heart Institute in Georgia.

Together, Dr Kalra and Dr Darlington delve into the significance of assessing volume status in patients with heart failure, highlighting its continued relevance in 2024, including the availability of new diagnostic tools, including the Heart Failure Management System (HFMS).

Dr Darlington shares his approach to taking a patient’s medical history and some of the cues he looks for during a physical exam and the art of assessing neck veins. Together, they explore diagnostic tools and technologies available to measure fluid volume, including HFMS and strategies for effectively communicating about the utility of this technology to patients with worsening heart failure.

Dr Darlington gives a comprehensive overview of the recent clinical data presented at ACC 2023 on the BMAD trial and how he uses HFMS in his own clinical practice.

This series is supported by ZOLL and is intended for Health Care Professionals.