The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

About The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

The Lead – a weekly journal review podcast that is designed to keep you up to date and informed on the latest publications and hottest topics in electrophysiology. Key takeaways, in-depth interpretations, and informative interviews are all fitted into 15 minute time slots, so that they fit easily into your busy schedule. Click the link below to learn more!

Publisher

The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

Category

education · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Jul 2023

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

176 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   The Lead Episode 172: A Discussion of Integrated Care Management and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Using a mHeath-based approach in older multimorbid patients with atrial fibrillation: the AFFIRMO Cluster-Randomized Trial

   In this episode of The Lead, host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS, is joined by David J. Slotwiner, MD, FHRS, and Alessandra Pina, MBBS, MD, to discuss "Integrated Care Management and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Using an mHealth-Based Approach in Older Multimorbid Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The AFFIRMO Cluster Randomised Trial." The panel examines the trial's evaluation of an mHealth-based integrated care approach for older patients with atrial fibrillation and comorbidities, exploring its neutral effect on hospitalization, challenges with patient engagement, characteristics of the study population, and implications for developing and implementing digital health interventions. Learning Objectives: Describe the design, patient population, integrated care intervention, and clinical outcomes of the AFFIRMO cluster randomized trial. Evaluate factors that may have contributed to the trial's neutral primary outcome, including characteristics of the study population, baseline management of atrial fibrillation, and patient engagement with the mHealth intervention. Assess the opportunities and challenges associated with using mHealth tools to support integrated atrial fibrillation and comorbidity management in older adults. Podcast Contributors Host: Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS Guests: David J. Slotwiner, MD, FHRS and Alessandra Pina, MBBS, MD All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated. Host and Contributor Disclosure(s): M. Middeldorp Nothing to disclose D. Slotwiner Nothing to disclose A. Pina Nothing to disclose Staff Disclosure(s) (note: HRS staff are NOT in control of educational content. Disclosures are provided solely for full transparency to the learner): S. Sailor: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. M. Baldwin: No relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   The Lead Episode 171: A Discussion of the CMR Guide Trial

   Description: In this episode of The Lead, host Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, is joined by Sei Iwai, MD, FHRS, and Jeanne E. Poole, MD, FHRS, CCDS, to discuss "Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance to Guide Defibrillator Implantation for LVEF of 36% to 50%: The CMR GUIDE Randomized Clinical Trial." The panel examines the trial's findings on using cardiovascular magnetic resonance–identified myocardial scar to guide primary prevention ICD implantation, including limitations of the study and current approaches to sudden cardiac death risk stratification, as well as the potential role of more sophisticated, dynamic risk-prediction models. Learning Objectives: Describe the design, patient population, primary outcome, and key findings of the CMR GUIDE randomized clinical trial. Evaluate the limitations of using cardiovascular magnetic resonance–identified myocardial scar to guide primary prevention ICD implantation in patients with an LVEF of 36% to 50%. Assess current challenges and emerging approaches to sudden cardiac death risk stratification, including the potential use of multimodal and dynamic risk-prediction models. Host: Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS Guests: Sei Iwai, MD, FHRS and Jeanne E. Poole, MD, FHRS, CCDS Faculty Disclosures: J. Jacobson Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Zoll Medical Corporation, Vektor Medical, Inc., CardioFocus, Inc., Abbott Medical, Johnson and Johnson Stock Options-Privately Held: Atlas 5D S. Iwai Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Alta Thera Pharmaceuticals, Biotronik, Johnson and Johnson, CardioFocus, Inc. J. Poole Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Heart Rhythm Society Research (Contracted Grants): Boston Scientific, AtriCure, Inc., Kestra, Inc., Biotronik

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   The Lead Episode 170: A Discussion of Pulsed Field Ablation Versus Sham to Treat Atrial Fibrillation: The PFA-SHAM Randomized Clinical Trial

   In this episode of The Lead, host Cinzia Monaco, MD, PhD, is joined by Kinan Kneizeh, MD,  and Konstantinos Vlachos, MD, PhD, to discuss "Pulsed Field Ablation Versus Sham to Treat Atrial Fibrillation: The PFA-SHAM Randomized Clinical Trial." The panel examines the trial's sham-controlled evidence for the effects of pulsed field ablation on atrial fibrillation recurrence, quality of life, AF burden, and psychological well-being, while considering placebo effects, study limitations, and the applicability of the findings to clinical practice. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the design, patient population, endpoints, and key findings of the PFA-SHAM randomized clinical trial. 2. Evaluate the effects of pulsed field ablation compared with a sham procedure on atrial fibrillation recurrence, AF burden, quality of life, and psychological well-being. 3. Assess the trial's limitations, potential placebo effects, and applicability to the management of patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Host: Cinzia Monaco, MD, PhD Guests: Kinan Kneizeh, MD and Konstantinos Vlachos, MD, PhD Disclosures: C. Monaco • No relevant disclosures K. Kneizeh • No relevant disclosures K. Vlachos, MD, PhD • No relevant disclosures

Who has been a guest on The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• M Middeldorp
• E Chung
• R Lampert
• Michael S Lloyd
• Hakeem Ayinde

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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