Backtable Cardiology

Preventing problems before they aggregate, P2Y12 inhibitor style! In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, interventional cardiologist from MedStar Washington Hospital Center joins host Dr. Hady Lichaa for practical insights and key takeaways on antiplatelet use in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).---This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Cheisi.---SYNPOSISD...

From sternotomy to software, the booming field of robotic cardiac surgery is bringing new minimally invasive treatment approaches to well-traveled cardiology conditions. This week on the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Amber Edwards, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon from Ascension St. Thomas in Nashville, shares her expertise in robotic cardiac surgery with host and Tennessee neighbor Dr....

Intravascular imaging can provide invaluable intel on the coronaries, with OCT supplying bright ideas and IVUS giving sound judgement. Light-based and soundwave-based, respectively, mastery of these two imaging modalities can help you streamline routine PCI cases and overcome challenging ones. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, the esteemed Dr. Erik Rafflenbeul from Schön Klinik in Hamburg,...

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be a standard cardiac procedure today, but its origin story follows an intriguing tale of courage, innovation and heart. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Michael Mack, a global leader in structural heart disease from Baylor Scott White Health, shares the history of TAVR, highlighting its origins, key clin...

When there's something strange in your vasculature, who are you going to call? Clot busters! In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional cardiologist Dr. Sameh Sayfo hosts interventional radiologist Dr. Sabah Butty from Indiana University to discuss contemporary interventional approaches to pulmonary embolism (PE). --- This podcast is supported by: Angiodynamicshttps://www.angiodynami...

Sham-controlled, randomized, and double-blind: the COSIRA II trial has the makings to make big waves in the management of refractory angina. This week’s episode features two interventionalists that are well-versed in coronary sinus reducers and the trials investigating them. Dr. Ziad Ali, from St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center in New York, and Dr. Jai Khatri, with Weill Cornell Medicine, join...

Tricuspid valve repair has seen booming growth in the interventional arena in the last five years, and the trajectory is only up from here. In this episode, interventional cardiologists Dr. Joe Walsh and Dr. Aiden Raney share their wealth of insights and experiences with the latest advancements in tricuspid interventions. --- SYNPOSIS The conversation covers recent landmark trials, relevant tricus...

Coronary drug-eluting balloon technology continues to evolve, but has its utilization been stunted by stenting? In this episode, Dr. Sameh Sayfo, an interventional cardiologist, hosts Dr. Ron Waksman, an internationally recognized cardiologist and scientist, to discuss advancements in coronary interventions and the age-old question of which coronary revascularization tools to use in which clinical...

PERT Consortium 2025 gives interventionalists the reins to tackle even the toughest saddle pulmonary embolisms. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Aaron Fritts welcomes interventional radiologist Dr. Osman Ahmed and interventional cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Paul to discuss their experiences at the annual PERT Consortium in San Diego, and offer their perspectives on the latest develo...

Real intracardiac echo cases, real-time developments! In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo is joined by Dr. Karim Al-Azizi, a structural interventional cardiologist at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital Plano. Together, they explore the evolving role of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) through three real cases of ICE use in structural heart interventions. Join as they...

What coronary device do you reach for when a blockage won’t budge? In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Wissam Jaber from Emory University Hospital joins host Dr. Hady Lichaa to discuss the intricacies of coronary atherectomy, outlining the differences between rotational and orbital atherectomy, their indications, and their technical nuances.---SYNPOSISDr. Jaber shares his expe...

Ballin’ on a contrast budget! In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Evan Shlofmitz outlines how utilizing imaging and physiology get you the most bang for your buck when performing low contrast PCI for patients with renal impairment.---SYNPOSISDr. Shlofmitz, co-director of Optimize PCI (OPCI) and a leading expert in intravascular imaging and physiology from St. Francis Hospital, New York, j...

Reporting from inside the cath lab: advanced PCI techniques, cutting-edge imaging, and the future of interventional cardiology! In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Sameh Sayfo hosts Dr. Mirvat Alasnag, the director of research at the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia to discuss various coronary bifurcation intervention strategies, i...

It’s no shock that percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) play an important role in improving cardiogenic shock outcomes (pun intended). In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo interviews Dr. Babar Basir, a renowned interventional cardiologist from Michigan, about advancements and protocols in managing cardiogenic shock. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Babar Basir detai...

Calcium belongs in the bones, not the blood vessels! But once it’s there, how can interventional cardiologists use their skills and tools to combat it? In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews Dr. Yader Sandoval from the Minneapolis Heart Institute about handling coronary calcification. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Sandoval shares insights into the challenges of tre...

The toolbox for vessel preparation is rapidly expanding. Are you keeping up? In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand is joined by Dr. Jay Mathews, interventional cardiologist (Manatee Memorial Hospital) and Dr. Michael Siah, vascular surgeon (UT Southwestern), to explore the latest innovations and strategies in vessel prep. --- This podcast is supported by: Cagent Vascularhttps://cagentvascular.com...

How do you navigate tortuous coronary vasculature? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Hady Lichaa hosts Dr. Alexander Truesdell, an interventional cardiologist with extensive experience in overcoming complex cases of vessel tortuosity. --- SYNPOSIS Beginning with Dr. Truesdell’s background and expertise, the discussion delves into best practices for evaluating and navigating tortuous ana...

In 2024, the DanGer Shock trial changed cardiogenic shock guidelines and affected practice patterns internationally. This episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast explores tips, tricks, and best practices in utilizing Impella, ECMO, and national initiatives to most effectively treat patients with cardiogenic shock. Host Dr. Sameh Sayfo interviews Dr. Amir Kaki, a noted interventional cardiologi...

What are the biggest challenges in large bore access and closure? In our inaugural episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Hady Lichaa hosts Dr. Jason Wollmuth, an interventional cardiologist renowned for his expertise in large bore access techniques. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Wollmuth shares his journey in interventional cardiology, detailing his early experiences managing complex PCI cases and C...