Shows / The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
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!
Episodes
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 175: A Discussion of Anticoagulation for AF with Intermediate Stroke Risk
Description: In this episode of The Lead, recorded live at HRX 2026, host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS, is joined by James Freeman, MD, MPH, MSci, and…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 174: A Discussion of The Forgotten History of Semi-Implanted Pacemakers
Description: In this episode of The Lead, recorded live at HRX 2026, host Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, is joined by Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, and Igor R…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 173: A Discussion of AI Intelligence Enhanced ICM in Pediatric Patients: Effects on Device Performance and Clinical Workflows
Description: In this episode of The Lead, host Lisa Roelle, PAC, Washington University in St. Louis, is joined by M. Cecilia Gonzalez Corcia, MD, MDCM, PhD…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
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…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
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…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
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…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 169: A Discussion of Radiofrequency Ablation Produces Stiffer Atrial Lesions Than Pulse Field Ablation: In vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance elastography in pigs
In this episode of The Lead, host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD, FHRS, is joined by Kars Neven, MD, PhD, and David Chieng, MBBS, CCDS, to discuss the journal…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 168: A Discussion of Weight Loss in Older Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation, The LOSE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial
Description: In this episode of The Lead, host Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, is joined by Roopinder Sandu, MD, MPH, FHRS and Louise Segan, MBBS, MPH, PhD to…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 167: A Discussion of The Long-Term Outcomes of Left Bundle-Branch Pacing vs Biventricular Pacing in Heart Failure (The HeartSync-LBBP Randomized Clinical Trial)
In this episode of The Lead, host Deepak Pasupula, MD, MPH, FHRS, is joined by Zaniar Ghazizadeh, MD, and Pugazhendhi Vijayaraman, MD, FHRS, to discuss the…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 166: A Discussion of Relationship Between Time-to-First Atrial Tachyarrhythmia Recurrence and Atrial Fibrillation Burden: Implications for Trial Design
In this episode of The Lead recorded at EHRA, host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, is joined by Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, FHRS, to…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 165: A Discussion of Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Medical Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation (The CLOSURE-AF Trial)
In this episode of The Lead recorded at HRS2026, host Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS is joined by Jeffrey S. Healey, MD, FHRS and Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FHRS to…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 164: A Discussion of Digital Twin–Guided Ablation for Ventricular Tachycardia
Recorded at HRS2026, this episode of The Lead features host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, in conversation with Junaid A.B. Zaman, MA, MD, PhD, CCDS, and Patrick…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 163: A Discussion of Conduction System vs Biventricular Pacing in Heart Failure, The PhysioSync-HF Randomized Clinical Trial
Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS, in conversation with Sana Al-Khatib, MD, MHS, FHRS, and Wei…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 162: A Discussion of Atrial Fibrillation Screening According to Genetic Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Randomized LOOP Study
In this episode of The Lead, host Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, is joined by Christopher Kowalewski, MD, and Marco Perez, MD, to discuss the journal article, Atrial…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 161: A Discussion of 20 Years: Clinical Outcome After Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Symptomatic Drug-Refractory Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, in conversation with Christian Sohns, MD, and Pierre Jaïs, MD, about…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
Episode 160: A Discussion of Real-time smartphone alerts during atrial fibrillation episodes with implantable cardiac monitors and wearable devices: SMART-ALERT study
Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, in conversation with Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Ellenbogen…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 159: A Discussion of Atrial Mechanical Contraction Predicts Cerebrovascular Risk in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy and Sinus Rhythm
Recorded at EHRA 2026, this episode of The Lead features host Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, in conversation with Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Prashanthan Sanders…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 158: A Discussion of Device-Related Complications in Transvenous Versus Subcutaneous Defibrillator Therapy During Long-Term Follow-Up: The PRAETORIAN-XL Trial
In this episode of The Lead, host Robert Schaller, DO, FHRS, is joined by Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, and Maulin Shah, MD, to discuss the journal article…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 157: A Discussion of Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Sarcoidosis Using a Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Model
In this episode of The Lead, host Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS, is joined by Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS, and Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS, to discuss…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 156: A Discussion of The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial
In this episode of The Lead, host Christopher Kowalewski, MD, is joined by John M. Mandrola, MD, and Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 155: A Discussion of A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy as a First Line Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AVANT GUARD)
In this episode of The Lead, host Christopher C. Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS, is joined by Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS, and Paul C. Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS, to…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study
In this episode of The Lead, host Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS, is joined by Babak Nazer, MD, and Rajesh Kabra, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 153: A Discussion of Exercise Capacity and Quality-of-Life Improvements after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clinically Asymptomatic Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
In this episode of The Lead, host Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS is joined by Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Adrian D…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 151: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial
This late-breaking sub-analysis from the CHAMPION-AF trial evaluated outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the WATCHMAN FLX device versus oral…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 152: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial (New England Journal of Medicine)
This New England Journal of Medicine study from the CHAMPION-AF trial compared left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using the WATCHMAN FLX device with…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 148: HRS 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage, A Discussion of Ventricular Intramyocardial Navigation and Tachycardia Ablation Guided by Electrograms (VINTAGE): First-in-Human Experience with a Novel Therapy for Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias
Join Digital Education Committee member Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, and his guests John L. Sapp, Jr., MD, FHRS and Kyoko Soejima, MD for this conversation at…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 149: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Safety and Performance of a Novel ICD Lead for Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: Results from the ASCEND CSP Trial
Welcome to the latest episode of late-breaker coverage from Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago, with host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD, FHRS and his guests Paul…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 150: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Total Fatal Adverse Events Following Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Reported in an FDA Mandatory Reporting System: A Matter of Concern? The TiFFANY Study
This discussion reviews the late-breaking HRS 2026 study Total Fatal Adverse Events Following Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Reported in an FDA Mandatory…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 145: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Cognitive Function and Anticoagulation Discontinuation in Patients Without Long-Term Recurrence After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Welcome to the first episode in this week's triple-header of late-breaking clinical trial coverage from Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago. In this episode Melissa…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 146: Late Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of LEAP2: A First-In-Human Study of a Chronically-Implanted Novel Leadless Pacemaker for Conduction System Pacing
Welcome to the second episode this week in our triple header of late breaking clinical trials coverage from Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago. Host Christopher C…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 147: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Proton Beam Cardiac Radioablation for Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia: Results from a Frist-in-Human, Prospective, Non-Randomized Trial
Welcome to the third in this week's series of Lead episodes covering late breaking clinical trials from Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago. Join host Michael Lloyd…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
A Message from The Lead Podcast Team for the Week of April 20, 2026
Greetings from The Lead Podcast team! This week we are in Chicago at Heart Rhythm 2026. We are on-site and in-person, recording episodes from the conference…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 144: A Discussion of Enhanced Detection and Prompt Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation Using Apple Watch: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Join host Melissa Middeldorp and her guests Marco Perez and Kristie Coleman for this installment of The Lead! This multicenter randomized controlled trial…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 143: A Discussion of The Empirical Evidence in the Successful Anatomical Ablation of Idiopathic LV Summit Ventricular Arrhythmias
In this discussion, Dr. Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD, is joined by Dr. Chi Keong Ching, MBBS, FHRS, and Dr. Haris M. Haqqani, MD, PhD, FHRS, to review the…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 142: A Discussion of Class 1c Antiarrhythmic Therapy Following PCI in New Onset Atrial Fibrillation: Safety and Clinical Outcomes from a Nationwide Cohort
Join an expert-led discussion exploring the safety and clinical outcomes of Class 1c antiarrhythmic therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead the Week of Marh 23
Hello everyone! The Lead will be going dark the week of March 23, but we will be back with more leading edge episodes in electrophysiology the week of March 30.
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 141: A Discussion of Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation in Obese Patients: A Real-World Data Analysis
Join Digital Education Committee member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, along with this week's guest contributors,Sheldon Litwin, MD from the…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 140: A Discussion of Atrial Cardiomyopathy: Markers and Outcomes
Join Digital Education Committee member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, along with this week's guest contributors, Joshua Silverstein MD…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 139: A Discussion of Improving Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation by Integrated Personalized Lifestyle Interventions: A Randomized Control Trial
Join Digital Education Committee member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, along with this week's guest contributors, Nino Isakadze, MD, MHS…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 138: A Discussion of Safety, Efficacy, and Mid-Term Outcomes of Pulsed Field Ablation for Cavotricuspid Isthmus–Dependent Flutter: Real-World Data From a Major Health System Registry
Join Digital Education Committee member and podcast host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD, along with this week's guest contributors, Senthil Thambidorai, MD…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 137: A Discussion of Impact of Hospital VT Ablation Volume on Post-Procedural Complications
Join Digital Education Committee Vice-Chair and podcast host Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, along with this week's guest contributors, Jackson J. Liang, DO and Edward…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 136: A Discussion of Electrophysiological Characteristics of Lead Position Dependent Electrogram Uninterrupted Transition during Left Bundle Branch Pacing
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Jason T. Jacobson, MD, FHRS, along with this week's guest contributors, Gaurav A. Upadhyay, MD, FHRS…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 135: A Discussion of Mechanical Vacuum Aspiration and Debulking of Large Vegetations During Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Extraction
Welcome to this week's episode of The Lead. Join HRS Digital Education Committee member and podcast host Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS as he welcomes his guests…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 134: A Discussion of Bachmann Bundle Pacing Target: Retrograde Mapping and Microstructural Correlation
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD , and his guests Georgios Leventopoulos, MD, and Muthiah Subramanian…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 133: A Discussion of Feasibility and Safety of PFA for Coronary Sinus and Left Atrial Appendage Isolation and Mitral Isthmus Ablation Acute and Chronic Findings (LIVE at APHRS 2025)
Join Digital Education Committee Chair and podcast host Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS, and his guests Kelvin C. Chua, MBBS, MD, FHRS, CEPS-A, and Rahul N Doshi…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
A Discussion of Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (Japanese Language Episode)
Join podcast host Takanori Yamaguchi, MD, PhD, and his guests Masato Fukunaga, MD, PhD and Masateru Takigawa, MD, PhD, for this week's Lead episode. This…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 132: A Discussion of Antithrombotic Therapy after Successful Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (English Language Episode)
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, and her guests Helmut Pürerfellner, MD, FHRS, and Jonathan M. Kalman…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 131: A Discussion of Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical Trial (English Language Episode)
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, and her guests Eue-Keun Choi, MD, PhD, and Sandeep Prabhu, MBBS, PhD…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 131: A Discussion of Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical Trial (Japanese Episode)
Join podcast host Takanori Yamaguchi, MD, PhD, and his guests Koichi Magashina, MD, PhD, and Michifumi Tokuda, MD, PhD for this week's Lead episode. This…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
A Holiday Message from the Producers of The Lead
Hello everyone! We're writing to wish you a very happy holiday season. The Lead will be going dark for the next two weeks, as we celebrate with friends and…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 130: A Discussion of MEPPC Syndrome: A Systematic Review and State-of-the-Art Paper
Join Digital Education Committee Member and podcast host Deep Chandh Raja, MBBS, MD, PhD (Kauvery Hospital), and his guests Nitish Badhwar, MBBS, FHRS…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 129: A Discussion of Worldwide Chronic Retrieval Experience of the Helix Fixation Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker
Join Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH, HRS Digital Education Committee Vice-Chair, and her guests Mikhael F. El-Chami, MD, FHRS and Devi G. Nair, MD, FHRS for this…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 128: A Discussion of Long-Term Anticoagulation Discontinuation After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: The ALONE-AF Randomized Clinical Trial
Join Phillip Cuculich, MD and his guests Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH and Atul Verma, MD, FHRS for this lively discussion of a cutting edge topic. The ALONE-AF trial…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
Happy Thanksgiving from the Producers of The Lead Podcast!
The Lead will not be releasing an episode this week, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. We hope that you enjoy this time with…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 127 A Discussion of Remote Screening for Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The AMALFI Randomized Clinical Trial
Join host and HRS Digital Education Committee Member Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD and her guests Rod Passman, MD, FHRS, and Emma Svenberg, MD, PhD, live at HRX…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 126: A Discussion of Transcutaneous Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Suppress Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Crossover, Randomized Clinical Trial (NoVa-PVC)
Join host and Digital Education Committee Member Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS for this lively discussion with his colleagues Charles A. Henrikson, MD, MPH…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 125: A Discussion of Permanent Left Bundle Branch Area DF-4 Defibrillator Lead Implantation Feasibility, Procedural Caveats, Safety, and Follow-Up, LIVE at HRX
Description Join host and HRS Digital Education Committee Chair Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS and his guests Miguel A. Leal, MD, FHRS, and Jason T. Jacobson, MD…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 124: A Discussion of Catheter Ablation vs Lifestyle Modification With Antiarrhythmic Drugs to Treat Atrial Fibrillation: PRAGUE 25 Trial, LIVE at HRX
Description Join host and Digital Education Committee Member, Danesh Kella, MBBS, FHRS and his guests Ratika Parkash, MD, MS, FHRS and Prashanthan Sanders…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 123: A Discussion of Re-Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Targeting Electrogram Dispersion –The RESTART Trial, Live at HRX 2025
Join host and HRS Digital Education Committee Vice-Chair, Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH and her guests Jerome Kalifa, MD and Paul C. Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS as they…
- The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society
The Lead Episode 122: A Discussion of Telemedicine-Based Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Village Clinics a Cluster Randomized Trial, LIVE at HRX
Join host Mellissa Middeldorp and her guests Mina Chung and Dominik Linz as they discuss this recent artle while in Atlanta at HRX Live 2025. In this trial the…