The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

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, MBBS, PhD, FHRS, about the journal article, Atrial Mechanical Contraction Predicts Cerebrovascular Risk in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy and Sinus Rhythm. Together, they discuss the study findings and explore the relationship between atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy who are in sinus rhythm.
 
Learning Objectives:
Review the key findings of the study examining atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy and sinus rhythm.
Discuss the association between atrial mechanical contraction and cerebrovascular risk in this patient population.
Explore the potential clinical implications of assessing atrial mechanical function in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
 
Host: Michael S. Lloyd, MD, FHRS
 
Guests:
Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH
Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FHRS
 
Disclosures:
M. Lloyd
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Other
 
T. Baykaner
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific
Research: NIH, Boston Scientific
 
P. Sanders
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical
Other Financial Relationships: Medtronic PLC, Pacemate, CathRx
Research: Abbott, Becton Dickinson, Calyan Technologies, Ceryx Medical, Biosense Webster, CathRx, HelloAlfred, Medtronic, Inc., Abbott Medical

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, Device-Related Complications in Transvenous Versus Subcutaneous Defibrillator Therapy During Long-Term Follow-Up: The PRAETORIAN-XL Trial. Together, they review the study's long-term follow-up findings and explore device-related complications associated with transvenous and subcutaneous defibrillator therapy.
 
Learning Objectives:
Review the long-term follow-up results of the PRAETORIAN-XL Trial comparing transvenous and subcutaneous defibrillator therapy.
Discuss device-related complications associated with transvenous and subcutaneous implantable defibrillator systems.
Examine the clinical considerations of defibrillator therapy selection based on long-term device-related outcomes.
 
Host: Robert Schaller, DO, FHRS 
Guests: Tina Baykaner, MD, MPH and Maulin Shah, MD
 
Disclosures:
 
R. Schaller
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Philips, Abbott Medical
Officer/Trustee/Director/Committee Chair/Other Fiduciary Role: Imricor
Other Financial Relationship: Other
 
T. Baykaner
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Volta Medical, Medtronic, Pacemate, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific
Research: NIH, Boston Scientific
 
M Shah
No relevant disclosures

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 journal article, Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients With Sarcoidosis Using a Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Model. Together, they review the study's approach to using a multimodal artificial intelligence model to predict sudden cardiac death risk in patients with sarcoidosis and discuss the potential implications of these findings.
Learning Objectives
Review the methodology and key findings of a multimodal artificial intelligence model developed to predict sudden cardiac death in patients with sarcoidosis.
Discuss the potential role of artificial intelligence–based risk prediction in the evaluation of patients with sarcoidosis.
Examine the clinical implications of sudden cardiac death risk stratification in this patient population.
Host: Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS
Guests: Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS and Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS
 
Disclosures:
Sandeep A Saha, MD, MS, FHRS
•       Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Medtronic, Inc.
 
Suraj Kapa, MD, FHRS
•       Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Abbott
•       Stock Options: Nanowear Inc.
•       Other Non-Financial Relationships: Biosense Webster, Inc., Boston Scientific
 
Albert Joseph Rogers, BSE, MBA, MD, FHRS
•       Research: National Institutes of Heath, American Heart Association
•       Ownership/Partnership: WearLinq, Inc.
•       Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Other

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 article, The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial. Together, they explore the relationship between atrial fibrillation burden and quality of life, reviewing findings from this substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial and discussing their relevance to patient-centered outcomes.
Learning Objectives
Review the key findings from the SHAM-PVI Trial substudy examining the association between atrial fibrillation burden and quality of life.
Discuss the relationship between atrial fibrillation burden and patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes.
Explore the implications of assessing both arrhythmia burden and quality of life when evaluating treatment outcomes in atrial fibrillation.
 
Host: Christopher Kowalewski, MD
Guests: John M. Mandrola, MD and Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS
 
Disclosures:
Christopher Kowalewski, MD
No relevant disclosures
 
John M. Mandrola, MD
No relevant disclosures
 
Nassir F. Marrouche, MD, FHRS
•       Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Biosense Webster, Inc., Boston Scientific, AtriCure, Inc., Abbott, Sanofi
•       Research: Abbott, Biosense Webster, Inc., Medtronic, Siemens, General Electric, Boston Scientific, Sanofi, Samsung

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 discuss the journal article, 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). Together, they review the study design and findings, examining pulsed field ablation and anti-arrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment approaches for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Learning Objectives
Review the design and key findings of the AVANT GUARD study comparing pulsed field ablation with anti-arrhythmic drug therapy as first-line treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation.
Discuss the potential role of pulsed field ablation as an initial treatment strategy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.
Examine the comparative considerations of ablation-based and pharmacologic approaches in the management of persistent atrial fibrillation.
 
Podcast Contributors:
Host: Christopher C Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS      
Guests: Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS and Paul C Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS
 
Disclosures:
Christopher C Cheung, MD, MPH, FHRS
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Inc., Biotronik, Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott
Edward P. Gerstenfeld, MD, MS, FHRS
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee: Medtronic, Inc., Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Boston Scientific, Varian Medical Systems
Other Non-Financial Relationships: Adagio Medical, Boston Scientific, Abbott Medical
Research: Abbott Medical
Officer, Trustee, Director, Committee Chair, or Other Fiduciary Role: American College of Cardiology
Paul C Zei, MD, PhD, FHRS
Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting Fee/Speaker's Bureau: Varian Medical Systems, Biosense Webster, Inc., Abbott, Boston Scientific, APT Medical
Research: Biosense Webster, Inc.