John Carroll, MD, director of interventional cardiology and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, explains the state of  transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) to prevent stroke.

Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, executive medical director for the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, explains recent trials in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and how the therapy helps atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients. 

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

Could wearables help AFib patients take fewer blood-thinning medications and reduce their risk of stroke? The team behind a new seven-year analysis hopes to find out. 

Researchers have shared an updated analysis of the SMART-CHOICE study, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events—as well as bleeding events—among PCI patients after three years. 

"By imposing a 35%-42% cut, [CMS] has essentially created a scenario where it is going to destroy electrophysiology as a field," explained Dhanunjaya "DJ" Lakkireddy, MD.

Interview with Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, executive medical director for the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, on recent advances in electrophysiology (EP) ablation and mapping systems to improve outcomes in atrial fibrillation therapy.

“Our ultimate goal is to prevent strokes," one Mayo Clinic electrophysiologist said. "I believe the current study has brought us one step closer.”