Parallax by Ankur Kalra

Join Dr Ankur Kalra on Parallax as he explores the evolving landscape of precision medicine in cardiology with Dr Calum MacCrae, Vice Chair for Scientific Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Heart and Vascular Center. Dr MacCrae reflects on how the promise of matching treatments to individual risk and disease mechanisms has evolved, from its roots in molecular medicine to today’s data-driven aspirations, revealing why progress has lagged behind expectations. The discussion dissects the complexities of modern cardiology, challenging assumptions about therapeutic precision by examining barriers like incomplete disease understanding, flawed electronic health records, and the high cost of integrating biomarkers into practice. Listeners will value Dr MacCrae’s incisive breakdown of precision medicine’s ecosystem, and how innovations at each level could redefine treatment strategies. The episode delivers practical insights for clinicians, while posing critical questions about how systemic inertia and fragmented hea

This week's edition of Parallax features an illuminating conversation between host, Dr Ankur Kalra, and Dr Clif Knight. From practicing family physician to passionate advocate for systemic change, Dr Knight's remarkable career journey provides a unique lens through which to examine physician well-being in contemporary healthcare environments. Dr Knight shares how his early observations of colleagues struggling without adequate support systems sparked his dedication to addressing the fundamental inefficiencies and structural barriers undermining physician resilience. The discussion examines how the healthcare landscape has evolved over generations, challenging simplistic narratives about millennial physicians' susceptibility to burnout by contextualizing how documentation burdens, technological implementations, and regulatory frameworks have created unprecedented complexity. Listeners will appreciate Dr Knight's nuanced analysis of the physician ecosystem's five distinct levels and how interventions at each

In this thought-provoking episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra explores the unexpected intersection of cardiology and popular culture with Dr Kristen Shaw and Dr Kevin Harris from the Minneapolis Heart Institute. Their conversation centers around their recently published systematic analysis, "Portrayal of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Popular Film: A Review of Gender, Race, and Ethnicity". Through examination of 100 popular films, our guests unpack striking statistics: 90% of on-screen heart attacks occur in men, and symptom presentation is dramatically overplayed compared to clinical reality. The conversation delves into how these media portrayals potentially shape both patient behavior and public health outcomes, particularly for underrepresented populations. From exploring the stark disconnect between cinematic drama and clinical presentation to discussing practical solutions for improving public health messaging, this episode offers crucial insights for healthcare providers working to bridge the gap bet

In this eye-opening episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra sits down with Dr Stephen Cook to explore groundbreaking research on LGBTQ+ experiences in cardiology. Drawing from Dr Cook's recently published JACC Advances paper "Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Cardiology Physicians and Fellows in Training", they unpack crucial findings about workplace harassment, professional development, and the evolution of inclusivity in cardiac care. From examining the stark statistics on workplace experiences to discussing the importance of SOGI data collection, this conversation reveals both challenges and opportunities for positive change. Learn how the landscape shifts from medical school to fellowship, why mentorship matters, and what steps the American College of Cardiology is taking to create a more inclusive environment for all cardiac professionals. Whether you're a healthcare professional, trainee, or ally, this episode offers valuable insights into building a more equitable future in ca

The COVID-19 pandemic forced cardiology practices to rapidly evolve - but which changes are here to stay? Join Dr Ankur Kalra in conversation with Dr Edward Fry, former President of the American College of Cardiology, as they explore how the pandemic catalyzed lasting changes in cardiovascular care delivery. From the rapid adoption of telehealth and remote monitoring to the repurposing of CT scan technology, discover how cardiology practices are innovating in response to unprecedented challenges. Dr Fry shares crucial perspectives on pressing issues including the growing workforce shortage amid an aging specialty, the complexities of private equity investment in comprehensive cardiology practices, and the critical need for value-based care solutions in an evolving reimbursement landscape. This episode offers vital insights into rebuilding patient trust through collaborative decision-making and physician advocacy. Dr Fry draws from his leadership experience during this challenging period to outline how cardi

In this week's Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Sukhjinder Nijjer for their much-anticipated annual review of advancements in cardiovascular medicine that defined the year 2024. Dr Nijjer, a Consultant Cardiologist in the UK, serves as the President of the Royal Society of Medicine and is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London. This episode focuses on recent developments in interventional cardiology, covering coronary interventions, new device technologies and challenging patient populations. Drs Kalra and Nijjer share their perspectives and experiences, offering valuable insights, practical tips and considerations when interpreting this year’s most impactful trials: REDUCE-AMI PREVENT FAVOR III ORBITA-COSMIC DANGer SHOCK SENIOR-RITA NOTION 3 What are the most impactful cardiovascular trials of 2024? How do Dr Kalra and Dr Nijjer integrate the latest information into their daily practices?

In this week's Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Sukhjinder Nijjer for their much-anticipated annual review of advancements in cardiovascular medicine that defined the year 2024. Dr Nijjer, a Consultant Cardiologist in the UK, serves as the President of the Royal Society of Medicine and is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London. This episode explores emerging trends in the treatment of valvular heart disease, focussing on TAVI procedures and transcatheter interventions. It also covers recent advancements in pharmacological management for cardiovascular conditions. Drs Kalra and Nijjer share their perspectives and experiences, offering valuable insights, practical tips and considerations when interpreting this year’s most impactful trials: EARLY TAVR RESHAPE 2 MATTERHORN TRILUMINATE TOPSPIN FINEARTS-HF What are the most impactful cardiovascular trials of 2024? How do Dr Kalra and Dr Nijjer integrate the latest information into their daily practices?

In this compelling episode of Parallax, host Ankur Kalra sits down with Dr Sharonne Hayes, a trailblazing Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and the vice chair for academic advancement and faculty development at Mayo Clinic. Together, they explore the critical intersections of career flexibility, diversity, and inclusion in modern medicine. Drawing from her extensive experience, Dr Hayes challenges traditional career paradigms in cardiology, offering a nuanced perspective on professional growth that prioritizes personal well-being and systemic change. The conversation delves deep into the complex landscape of medical careers, addressing unconscious biases, workforce equity, and the transformative power of inclusive leadership. Listeners will gain profound insights into strategic career navigation, practical strategies for achieving academic recognition, and the critical importance of health equity in cardiovascular care. Throughout the episode, Dr Hayes provides a masterclass in professional development,

In this thought-provoking episode of Parallax, Host, Dr Ankur Kalra engages in an illuminating conversation with Dr Karen Joynt Maddox, a distinguished cardiologist and health policy researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Together, they navigate the complex intersection of cardiovascular medicine, health economics, and public health policy. Dr Joynt Maddox shares her unique journey into health economics research, offering valuable insights for cardiologists considering this vital career path. The discussion delves deep into the need for enhanced collaboration between clinicians and policymakers, emphasizing how physicians' frontline experiences can inform more effective healthcare policies. In examining the growing presence of private equity in cardiology practices, Dr Joynt Maddox provides nuanced insights into this transformative trend. Through thoughtful analysis, she explores how this financial model shapes healthcare delivery, innovation, and patient outcomes. The conversa

In this week's episode of Parallax, host Dr Ankur Kalra engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr Stephen Smith, a pioneer in electrocardiography and myocardial infarction diagnosis. They delve into the groundbreaking OMI/NOMI paradigm (Occlusion MI vs Non-Occlusion MI), challenging the traditional STEMI vs non-STEMI terminology that has long been the cornerstone of acute coronary syndrome management. Dr Smith presents compelling evidence highlighting the limitations of ST-elevation as a marker for acute coronary occlusion, discussing his recently published review paper: "From ST-Segment Elevation MI to Occlusion MI: The New Paradigm Shift in Acute Myocardial Infarction". The conversation explores the proposed shift to the OMI/NOMI terminology and the specific ECG criteria for diagnosing occlusion MI. Dr Smith discusses the challenges in disseminating this new paradigm and teaching these refined ECG interpretation skills to clinicians. Dr Kalra and Dr Smith explore exciting developments in AI-assist

This week on Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Dr Brooke Aggarwal to dive deep into the fascinating intersection of behavioural science and nutrition education. Dr Brooke Aggarwal, an Assistant Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, focuses her research on how behavioural and psychological factors influence adherence to cardiovascular disease prevention guidelines. In this episode, Dr Aggarwal shares insights from her groundbreaking Family Intervention Trial for Heart Health (FIT Heart) study, unveiling the crucial role of social support and caregiver dynamics in maintaining healthy behaviours. Dr Kalra and Dr Aggarwal discuss innovative techniques such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy that are transforming the landscape of nutrition counselling. Dr Aggarwal shares her insights into the practical applications of behavioural science in clinical settings, emphasising the importance of addressing cognitive distortions with evidence-based approaches. The discussion highli

In this episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra reunites with Dr Purvi Parwani for a deep dive into the groundbreaking data unveiled at ESC Congress 2024. Dr Parwani, Director of the Women's Cardiovascular Disease Clinic and a leading expert in her field, serves as Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Echocardiography Laboratory for Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging at Loma Linda University Health. Dr Parwani offers a comprehensive analysis of the most impactful trials presented at the congress. She delves beyond the headlines, exploring the practical implications these findings hold for the future of patient care. Dr Kalra and Dr Parwani engage in a stimulating discussion, comparing the new data to prior research and exploring how these insights can be translated into real-world improvements for our patients. Key Trials included: MATTERHORN: Transcatheter versus surgical mitral valve repair in patients with heart failure and secondary mitral regurgitation (NCT02371512) RESHAPE-HF2: Percutaneous r

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 anxie

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

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. Th

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 Asi

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 rou

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 l

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, a

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 at