Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME

Gene Therapy and Genetic Cardiomyopathies

 

Guest: John Giudicessi, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Malcolm Bell, M.D.

 

In this podcast, listeners will learn what gene therapy is and the types of genes therapies under development for an array of genetically mediated cardiovascular disorders. In addition, active and upcoming gene therapy clinical trials for the treatment of specific arrhythmogenic, dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy genotypes will be discussed.

 

Topics Discussed:

What is gene therapy?

How do gene therapies differ from conventional management of genetic arrhythmogenic, dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathies?

Are there different types of gene therapies?

What gene therapy trials are currently active or upcoming at Mayo Clinic and other institutions?

 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

 

Recorded 21-October-2025

Leadless Pacemakers and Extravascular ICDs

 

Guest: Alan M. Sugrue, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O.

Host: Sharonne Hayes, M.D.

 

This episode of “Interviews With the Experts” explores how leadless pacemakers and extravascular ICDs are redefining device therapy by minimizing lead- and pocket-related complications while expanding options for patients with complex anatomy or infection risk. Listeners will learn how these systems differ from traditional transvenous technologies, review key data on safety and efficacy, and understand which patient profiles are best suited for each approach.

 

Topics Discussed:

How do leadless pacemakers differ from traditional transvenous systems in terms of technology, complication profile, and clinical outcomes?

In which patient populations should leadless pacing be considered as a first-line option?

What are the key design and functional differences between extravascular and subcutaneous ICDs?

What advantages and limitations should clinicians understand when deciding between these two systems?

 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

 

Recorded 21-October-2025

Translating the DGA Into Real-World Cardiometabolic Care

 

Guest: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Host: Kyla M. Lara-Breitinger, M.D., M.H.S.

 

In this third episode roundtable, Dr. Lara Breitinger and Dr. Steve Kopecky examine what the DGAs get right—and where they fall short—for cardiovascular risk, from their emphasis on whole-food patterns to ongoing gaps around food processing, nutrient oversimplification, and sustainability messaging. They share how they translate the guidelines into real-world cardiometabolic care, including the evidence-based principles they use in clinic and when to individualize beyond national recommendations. Looking ahead, they explore the future of nutrition guidance—food as medicine, precision cardiometabolic care, and outcomes-driven recommendations—reminding listeners that the DGA is a starting point and to focus on "one bite at a time."

 

Topics Discussed:

The mismatch between guidelines and patients

What the DGA gets right—and wrong—for CV risk

How you counsel patients today

Where nutrition guidance needs to go next

 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

 

Recorded on: 10-February-2026

Applications of the New DGA

 

Guest: Tara Schmidt, RDN, LD

Host: Kyla Lara-Breitinger, M.D., M.H.S.

 

Every five years, new dietary guidelines for Americans are put out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 (10th edition) was recently published in early 2026 and has sparked some controversy with not only its visual icon, but some of its emphases as well. In this second episode reviewing the new DGA, Dr. Kyla-Lara Breitinger and Tara Schmidt, RDN, LD review what the new guidelines advise and what may be confusing for consumers.  

 

Topics Discussed:

Do you want to share a bit of history around the DGAs?

What recommendations from the new DGAs align with longstanding nutrition science?

Are there elements of the new guidelines that raise any concern?

What should be some key nutritional focuses for Americans, given what we know about their health status?

 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

 

Recorded on: 05-February-2026

Dietary Guidelines of America: What Changed, What Didn’t, and Why it Matters

 

Guest: Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H.

Host: Kyla Lara-Breitinger, M.D., M.H.S.

 

The release of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans has sparked important conversations across medicine, public health, and clinical practice. In this three-episode Interview with the Experts mini-series, Mayo Clinic preventive cardiologist Dr. Kyla Lara-Breitinger brings clarity to what the guidelines mean for patients and clinicians alike—cutting through headlines, controversy, and confusion with evidence-based insights from national and Mayo Clinic experts. Together, we explore what’s new, what remains unchanged, where debate persists, and how these guidelines translate into real-world cardiometabolic care, with a strong emphasis on practical, patient-centered nutrition advice.

 

Topics Discussed:

Why does the new DGA matter for cardiology?

What’s new vs. recycled?

Core controversies

Clinical takeaways

 

Referenced article:

Mozaffarian D. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. JAMA. Published online January 14, 2026. doi:10.1001/jama.2026.0283 The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans | Lifestyle Behaviors | JAMA | JAMA Network 

 

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services

Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

 

Recorded on: 27-January-2026