In this episode of the "Innovations in Cardiology" series, host Dr Dipti Itchhaporia (Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute, Newport Beach, CA, US) is joined by Dr Alexander Van Rosendael (Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, NL) to discuss the findings from the CONFIRM2 trial. Conducted from up to 50 international clinical CCTA sites with 35,000 patients, CONFIRM2 aims to improve comprehensive quantification of coronary computed tomography angiography findings using an artificial intelligence algorithm that will enable an accurate quantification of coronary artery disease, including total coronary plaque volume and low attenuation plaque volume.

Findings showed that AI-guided quantative computational tomography quantification of coronary CTA lumen diameter stenosis and the noncalcified plaque volume were most predictive of MACE and added discriminative accuracy to the Diamond and Forrester predictive model. These atherosclerotic profiles as assessed by AI-QCT could guide the tailoring of anti atherosclerotic therapies or coronary interventional procedures to reduce the instance of cardiac events.

If you have any questions or suggestions for topics to cover on the Radcliffe Podcast, please email managingeditor@ecrjournal.com.

AI in Quantitative CT Assessments: CONFIRM2 with Dr Alexander Van Rosendael

In this essential episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by Dr Michelle O'Donoghue, cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and co-author of the recently updated AHA/ACC acute coronary syndrome guidelines. Together, they explore the revolutionary changes reshaping ACS management in 2025.

Dr O'Donoghue shares insights from the landmark guideline development process that unified non-ST elevation ACS and ST elevation MI recommendations into a single comprehensive document. The conversation covers game-changing updates including new risk stratification approaches, the shift toward selective invasive strategies, and the introduction of bivalirudin as an alternative anticoagulation option.

The discussion highlights the groundbreaking "lower is better" approach to LDL management with new targets below 55 mg/dL, evolving antiplatelet therapy strategies, and the emerging role of ticagrelor monotherapy. Dr O'Donoghue also addresses future directions in cardiovascular care, from GLP-1 agonists to mechanical circulatory support devices, emphasizing how these guidelines represent a fundamental shift toward more personalized, evidence-based ACS management.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. 

Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio
Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 137: Redefining ACS Care: From Guideline Updates to Clinical Excellence

In this insightful episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra explores the emerging field of cardiac epigenetics with Dr Manuel Rosa-Garrido, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Their conversation examines how the three-dimensional organization of DNA within the cell nucleus influences heart disease development beyond traditional genetic sequencing.

Dr Rosa-Garrido shares his pioneering work using Hi-C technology to map genome structure, revealing that DNA arrangement plays a crucial role in cardiac pathology. The discussion covers key concepts including chromatin loops, topologically associating domains, and compartmentalization—explaining how these structures regulate gene expression and how their disruption contributes to cardiovascular disease.

The episode explores practical implications for clinical practice, from early biomarker identification to potential CRISPR-based therapies that could target chromatin structure. Dr Rosa-Garrido outlines how this research could transform cardiovascular care within the next decade, offering new approaches to both inherited cardiomyopathies and environmentally-influenced conditions like atherosclerosis.

Valuable insights for cardiologists interested in precision medicine and the evolving understanding of how genetic architecture influences cardiovascular risk and treatment strategies.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio

Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 138: Mapping the Heart's Hidden Code: How 3D Chromatin Structure Shapes Cardiac Disease

In this essential episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by Dr Carolyn Ho, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Genetics Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital, for a comprehensive discussion on how genetic testing is reshaping hypertrophic cardiomyopathy management.

The conversation explores the VANISH HCM trial results, which showed that valsartan can slow disease progression in young, asymptomatic individuals with early sarcomeric HCM. Dr Ho discusses how this evidence influenced the 2024 HCM guidelines and created new opportunities for disease-modifying therapy before clinical symptoms appear. The episode also examines emerging gene-based therapeutics, from current adeno-associated virus approaches to future CRISPR technologies that could address the underlying genetic causes of HCM.

Dr Ho addresses practical considerations for clinicians, including when to initiate genetic testing, how to manage family screening, and the promise of AI-assisted screening tools. The discussion highlights both current therapeutic options and the evolving landscape of precision medicine in inherited cardiovascular disease.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio
Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 139: The Genetic Revolution in HCM: Mapping Family Risk to Targeted Treatment

Expert interventionalists, Prof Nicolas Van Mieghem and Dr Joost Daemen (Thoraxcenter, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, NL) discuss the most anticipated hot line studies to be unveiled at ESC Congress 2025. Tune in for their in-depth analysis to get ahead of the curve.

ESC Congress 2025 Hot Line Trials Discussed:
00:25 - DOUBLE-CHOICE
03:03 - VANTAGE
05:03 - VICTOR
06:28 - VICTORIA
07:58 - DIGIT HF
10:19 DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68
12:35 REBOOT-CNIC
14:07 BETAMI DANBLOCK
16:03 REFINE ICD
18:05 OPTION STEMI
20:43 DUAL ACS
22:46 NEO MINDSET
24:53 TARGET FIRST
26:59 OUTREACH
29:29 FIRE
31:40 AI GATEKEEPER
22:42 LAA CLOSURE

Stay tuned for Radcliffe Cardiology’s in-depth coverage of these and other pivotal trials from ESC Congress 2025.

View from the Thoraxcenter: What's Hot at ESC 25?

In this compelling episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra sits down with Dr Anandita Kulkarni, preventive cardiologist at Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, for an eye-opening conversation about addressing cardiovascular disparities in South Asian populations through the innovative Dilwale registry.

Dr Kulkarni tells the story of returning to her Texas community to serve South Asian patients and her determination to create meaningful change through data. What started as a local initiative grew into something much larger: a comprehensive registry of over 31,000 South Asian patients that's revealing critical insights about heart disease in this underserved population.

Beyond the clinical data, this episode delves into the practical challenges of culturally informed preventive care. Dr Kulkarni shares insights on addressing barriers to physical activity within South Asian communities, helping patients navigate dietary changes while respecting cultural food traditions, and the delicate work of motivating lifestyle modifications in a population already facing higher cardiovascular risks. Her patient-centered approach demonstrates how combining population-level research with deep cultural understanding can fundamentally improve both individual outcomes and community health.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio

Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts

EP 140: Breaking Barriers in South Asian Heart Health: The Dilwale Registry Revolution

In this essential episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Dr Shelley Zieroth, Professor of Medicine, clinician-scientist, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist in Winnipeg, Canada. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the landmark EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, Dr Zieroth provides a comprehensive update on how SGLT2 inhibitors have revolutionized cardiovascular care.

Dr Zieroth takes us through the remarkable journey from the initial 2015 trial that transformed SGLT2 inhibitors from anti-diabetic agents into cardiovascular powerhouses, delivering highly significant reductions in cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. She explores how these medications have become fundamental pillars of cardio-kidney-metabolic medicine, with evidence spanning the entire ejection fraction spectrum.

Dr Zieroth discusses prescribing these agents in heart failure - including the straightforward 10-mg daily dosing, monitoring strategies, and crucial patient selection criteria. She shares insights from the recent EMPULSE trial on safe in-hospital initiation, addresses important considerations for diabetic patients, and highlights key contraindications like indwelling catheters that clinicians must recognize.

Beyond the basics, Dr Kalra and Dr Zieroth examine the evolving role of SGLT2 inhibitors in valvular disease and diastolic dysfunction, tackle the ongoing reimbursement challenges across different healthcare systems, and discuss the critical importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the cardio-kidney-metabolic space. They also look ahead to exciting combination therapies on the horizon that promise to further advance heart failure prevention and treatment.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode.

Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio
Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 141: From EMPA-REG to Clinical Practice: Mastering SGLT2 Inhibitors in Modern Cardiology

In this fascinating episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra sits down with Dr Alexander Fanaroff, an interventional cardiologist, clinical trialist, and behavioral economist at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr Fanaroff brings a unique perspective to cardiovascular medicine, combining his expertise in interventional cardiology with cutting-edge insights from behavioral economics to transform how we approach patient care and clinical decision-making.

Dr Fanaroff demystifies behavioral economics for the medical community, explaining how this field studies real-world decision-making beyond traditional economic models. He introduces key concepts like status quo bias, prospect theory, and the power of defaults in shaping both physician and patient behaviors. Through compelling examples, including Penn's successful intervention that increased 90-day statin prescriptions from 70% to 90% simply by changing EHR defaults, Dr Fanaroff demonstrates how small design changes can yield significant clinical improvements.

Looking beyond individual interventions, Dr Fanaroff discusses how behavioral economics can address healthcare disparities by creating system-wide improvements that lift all patients while specifically targeting underserved communities. He envisions a future where AI identifies at-risk patients from routine imaging, and where interventional cardiologists focus not just on procedural excellence but on ensuring optimal long-term medical management through thoughtfully designed care systems.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode.

Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio
Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 142: The Psychology of Patient Care: Nudges, Gamification, and the Future of Cardiology

Explore ESC 25 Top Trials with Insights from the Thoraxcenter!

Join Prof Nicolas Van Mieghem and Dr Joost Daemen from Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, for an engaging and critical analysis of the latest trials unveiled at ESC 2025.

In this comprehensive ESC wrap-up, interventional experts examine the most significant trials, providing valuable insights into their impact on current practices and future research directions.

00:15 - DOUBLE-CHOICE
04:43 - VANTAGE
07:44 - VICTOR and VICTORIA
11:29 - DIGIT-HF
14:22 - DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68
16:55 - BETAMI-DANBLOCK and REBOOT-CNIC
22:13 - REFINE-ICD
25:34 - OPTION-STEMI
30:40 - DUAL-ACS
33:05 - NEO-MINDSET
35:58 - TARGET-FIRST
38:54 - OUTREACH
41:50 - FIRE
42:46 - AI-Gatekeeper
45:13 - POTCAST

View from the Thoraxcenter: ESC 25 Late-breaking Science Wrap-Up

In this episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra speaks with Dr Benjamin A D’Souza, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Section Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Presbyterian Medical Center. Together, they explore the challenges of mitigating sudden cardiac death and the evolving role of guideline-directed medical therapy in optimising patient outcomes.

Dr D’Souza reflects on current strategies for risk assessment and prevention, highlighting the importance of medical therapy, careful monitoring and timely use of defibrillators. He stresses that management must be tailored to individual patients, with decisions guided by evidence, imaging and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The conversation also turns to women’s cardiac health and representation in electrophysiology. Dr D’Souza highlights the persistent under-enrolment of women in clinical trials and their lower access to ablation and device therapy. He stresses the need for inclusive trial design, mentorship and acknowledgement of systemic bias to improve equity in cardiovascular care.

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

EP 143: GDMT Optimisation: Mitigating SCD Risk and Addressing Women’s Cardiac Health

In this evidence-packed episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Purvi Parwani, Associate Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University Health, for a comprehensive review of groundbreaking trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.

Dr Parwani guides listeners through what she describes as a "tectonic shift" in post-MI care with the REBOOT and BETAMI-DANBLOCK trials. These studies challenge the routine use of beta blockers after heart attack, revealing that patients with preserved ejection fraction above 50% may not benefit, while those with EF between 40-49% show significant risk reduction from continued therapy.

The discussion moves to heart failure management, exploring the POTCAST trial's approach to optimising potassium levels in high-risk patients and the DIGIT-HF trial's examination of digitoxin as a potential option for patients who cannot tolerate modern four-pillar therapy. Dr Kalra and Dr Parwani conclude with the evolving role of aspirin in cardiovascular care. They discuss findings from NEO-MINDSET, TARGET-FIRST, and the AQUATIC trial, which together are reshaping antiplatelet strategies from the immediate post-PCI period through long-term management of stable coronary disease in patients requiring anticoagulation.

Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode.

Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio
Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

EP 144: ESC 25 in Review with Dr Purvi Parwani

The Radcliffe Cardiology Podcast brings you the latest advancements, research and best practices in the field of cardiology. Each episode features expert insights and engaging discussions with leading healthcare professionals, covering a breadth of topics in cardiovascular science. 

Our podcast aims to build on the best science, with key takeaways from the top cardiology conferences and recent publications from our journals.