EP 74: Modern Medicine & Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita with Dr Kavitha Chinnaiyan
“Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. The one who is motivated only by the desire for the fruits of their action, and anxious about the results, is miserable indeed.”
Bhagavad Gita
In medical school, Dr Chinnaiyan was fascinated with embryology. The question that used to hunt her was how does once cell know to differentiate into so many different organs: what is that knowledge?
In this week’s Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Kavitha Chinnaiyan cardiologist, Professor of Medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and accomplished author.
This nurturing episode focuses on questions that touch on what it is that we seek as human beings and how can we cultivate awareness and authenticity while practicing modern medicine. Ankur asks Kavitha about what it means to be spiritual as a cardiologist. Kavitha talks about the experiences made possible by mindfulness. They discuss the difference between conditioning and growth. Kavitha talks about burn out and how we could make changes by embracing medicine not only as a measurable science but as an art.
What is happiness? How can we become more authentic by letting go of judgements? What can we achieve by looking at medicine not only as a science, but as an art?
Questions and comments can be sent to “podcast@radciffe-group.com” and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Guest, @ChinnaiyanMD hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
You can find Drs Ankur Kalra, Erin Michos and Kavitha Chinnaiyan’s article on COVID-19 and the healthcare workers here.
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In this personal interview, Dr Itchhaporia recalls her early years and the influences and decisions that led her to medicine and cardiology. She talks about her connection to ACC and the importance of choosing a professional home where one can find their purpose under the mentorship of their community. Ankur asks Dr Itchhaporia about the most memorable moments of her presidency. They talk about South Asian identity and curbing CVD in this population.
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We can count on our fingertips how many interventional intensivists exist in the US.
In this episode Ankur Kalra, MD meets with Dr Ann Gage, Cleveland Clinic’s first ‘interventional intensivist’. She discusses her unique skill set, what it means to be an interventionalist in the cath lab but also an expert in cardiovascular intensive care and advocates why such a unique skill set and critical care training are required in today’s modern medicine.
Listen to this engaging discussion between them on the challenges of being a woman in cardiovascular medicine today.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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In this episode Ankur Kalra, MD meets with Dr Ann Gage, Cleveland Clinic’s first ‘interventional intensivist’. She discusses her unique skill set, what it means to be an interventionalist in the cath lab but also an expert in cardiovascular intensive care and advocates why such a unique skill set and critical care training are required in today’s modern medicine.
Listen to this engaging discussion between them on the challenges of being a woman in cardiovascular medicine today.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
Dr Cavalcante meets with Ankur Kalra, MD to discuss his recent review published in US Cardiology Review 13.2; on a new aortic stenosis staging system that has important implications for clinical outcomes following aortic valve replacements to aid the treatment of aortic stenosis.
Listen to this, as well as an overview on his interesting childhood and his views on the future of cardiac imaging to treat TAVR.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Listen to this, as well as an overview on his interesting childhood and his views on the future of cardiac imaging to treat TAVR.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
The first female cardiac surgeon qualified in the 1960’s. Today there are only 4.5% women in cardiology and only 4% in thoracic surgery. Ankur Kalra meets with Dr Kendra Grubb, the first women to be trained at the University of Virginia, US, on cardiothoracic surgery and the 250th board certified women in thoracic surgery.
Her recent post on social media went viral. It was a photo of an all-women surgical team carrying out a complex structural heart procedure. It had over 100,000 views and was seen by people in over 75 different countries. It’s clear from this online reaction, that now is the time for women to be recognised for the work they are doing in medicine.
Listen to this engaging discussion between them on the challenges of being a woman in cardiovascular medicine today.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Her recent post on social media went viral. It was a photo of an all-women surgical team carrying out a complex structural heart procedure. It had over 100,000 views and was seen by people in over 75 different countries. It’s clear from this online reaction, that now is the time for women to be recognised for the work they are doing in medicine.
Listen to this engaging discussion between them on the challenges of being a woman in cardiovascular medicine today.
Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
In our final episode of the year, Ankur has an long conversation with Sukh Nijjer from Imperial College London about the most impactful, exciting and controversial clinical trials of 2019. Sukh and Ankur also discuss how these trials might change practice in the future, and how practice patterns and decisions differ between the US and the UK. In light of an emerging trend of shared decision making between physicians of different specialities and patients with a vast amount of information at their fingertips, Sukh and Ankur examine what tools they use to reconcile the growing data from clinical trials.
Trials discussed in detail include those presented at the ACC in New Orleans: PARTNER 3 & Evolut Low Risk on TAVR/TAVI, and SAFARI & COAPT on radial vs femoral access; presented at the ESC in Paris: THEMIS and ISAR-REACT 5 on DAPT post-PCI, DAPA-HF on SGLT2i’s for heart failure, and COMPLETE on PCI of non-culprit lesions in STEMI; presented at TCT in San Francisco: TWILIGHT on DAPT post-PCI, and EXCEL at 5 years on PCI vs CABG in left main CAD; and finally, presented at AHA in Philadelphia: ISCHEMIA on medical vs invasive approaches in ischemic events. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Trials discussed in detail include those presented at the ACC in New Orleans: PARTNER 3 & Evolut Low Risk on TAVR/TAVI, and SAFARI & COAPT on radial vs femoral access; presented at the ESC in Paris: THEMIS and ISAR-REACT 5 on DAPT post-PCI, DAPA-HF on SGLT2i’s for heart failure, and COMPLETE on PCI of non-culprit lesions in STEMI; presented at TCT in San Francisco: TWILIGHT on DAPT post-PCI, and EXCEL at 5 years on PCI vs CABG in left main CAD; and finally, presented at AHA in Philadelphia: ISCHEMIA on medical vs invasive approaches in ischemic events. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
Recorded before the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2019, Ankur is joined by Rasha K Al-Lamee, Interventional Cardiologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London and Study Director of the Objective Randomised Blinded Investigation with Optimal Medical Therapy of Angioplasty in Stable Angina (ORBITA) trial. Rasha talks about how she got into academia, the significance of her end-of-training PhD, and what led to the genesis of ORBITA.
Ankur and Rasha also discuss the findings and unanswered questions of ORBITA, and how recent research in coronary revascularisation and stable ischemic heart disease has (or has not) changed their clinical practice. Finally, in anticipation of its presentation at AHA 2019, Rasha gives an overview of the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA). Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Ankur and Rasha also discuss the findings and unanswered questions of ORBITA, and how recent research in coronary revascularisation and stable ischemic heart disease has (or has not) changed their clinical practice. Finally, in anticipation of its presentation at AHA 2019, Rasha gives an overview of the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA). Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
In Episode 16, Ankur spoke with Ajay J Kirtane on why he became a cardiologist, how he fell into academic research, and why the cardiology specialty is heavy with people of Indian origin.
Ajay also talks about how he has negotiated between competing priorities in clinical and academic work, and how he manages fatherhood with a busy career. Ahead of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2019, Ajay also shared what he thinks we can expect from the highly anticipate ISCHEMIA trial. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Ajay also talks about how he has negotiated between competing priorities in clinical and academic work, and how he manages fatherhood with a busy career. Ahead of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2019, Ajay also shared what he thinks we can expect from the highly anticipate ISCHEMIA trial. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
How did Gregg from Cleveland, Ohio become Gregg W Stone MD, world-leading interventional cardiologist and clinical trialist? This week, Ankur had the pleasure of speaking to Gregg about his personal and professional journey through the ‘golden years’ of interventional cardiology.
Gregg also shares his tips on how to progress from clinical practice to academic research, and what it takes to be a successful clinical investigator. Finally, Gregg shares with Ankur what personality traits he looks for in mentees and why presenting a final project is not enough. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Gregg also shares his tips on how to progress from clinical practice to academic research, and what it takes to be a successful clinical investigator. Finally, Gregg shares with Ankur what personality traits he looks for in mentees and why presenting a final project is not enough. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
Recorded on site at TCT, COAPT investigator Dr Neal Kleiman and Ankur discuss the realities of establishing an academic career as an interventional cardiologist. Neal explains why it is important to wear multiple hats and balance academia with a clinical presence.
Digging more into the practicalities of everyday work-life, Neal reflects on the challenges of reporting to multiple bosses who have different goals, and how geography enabled him to move between cathlab and academia. Neal also shares what he looks for in early career academic cardiologists. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Digging more into the practicalities of everyday work-life, Neal reflects on the challenges of reporting to multiple bosses who have different goals, and how geography enabled him to move between cathlab and academia. Neal also shares what he looks for in early career academic cardiologists. Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
Hari joins Ankur for a second episode to share his tips on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance as an ambitious cardiologist and his key tips of cultivating a career in leadership positions. What ‘makes’ balanced work versus balanced life? Should the two overlap and if yes, how much? How do you prioritise ‘life’ when trying to build a career? Do you really need to become an expert in multitasking? What’s the key to managing a team effectively and successfully?
Ahead of TCT 2019, Ankur and Hari also talk about which trials presented in San Francisco they are most excited about! Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Guest @SrihariNaiduMD.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Ahead of TCT 2019, Ankur and Hari also talk about which trials presented in San Francisco they are most excited about! Submit your question to Ankur via: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Guest @SrihariNaiduMD.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
In this episode, Srihari S Naidu shares his career tips for young, ambitious cardiologists and what he has learnt about mentorship from his numerous leadership positions. Hari elaborates on the different types of mentorship, the importance of developing non-academic skills, why you should focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses, and the fickle art of managing one’s public/private personas as a young cardiologist in an era of social media.
Having recently applied for the programme himself, Ankur also speaks with Hari about the history, purpose and future of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Emerging Leader Mentorship (ELM) Fellowship Programme. Submit your question to: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Guest @SrihariNaiduMD.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
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Having recently applied for the programme himself, Ankur also speaks with Hari about the history, purpose and future of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) Emerging Leader Mentorship (ELM) Fellowship Programme. Submit your question to: podcast@radciffe-group.com. Guest @SrihariNaiduMD.
Hosted by @AnkurKalraMD. Produced by @RadcliffeCARDIO.
This week’s guest, Prof Roxana Mehran, Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Founding Director of Women as One, is a phenomenon in interventional cardiology. Her pioneering work as clinician, trialist and advocate is well known within the community. In this episode, we learn what makes Roxana tick and what were the odds she had to defy as an immigrant from Iran to fulfil her ‘impossible dream’.
The charity organisation, Women as One is an agent for women and men to be part of medicine that is built on talent, rather than a privilege. Roxana and Ankur discuss the role of mentorship and family-friendly work environment in mending the broken house of cardiology. Roxana talks about the practical tools that are available for women to take the next steps in their career and achieve their goals.
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The charity organisation, Women as One is an agent for women and men to be part of medicine that is built on talent, rather than a privilege. Roxana and Ankur discuss the role of mentorship and family-friendly work environment in mending the broken house of cardiology. Roxana talks about the practical tools that are available for women to take the next steps in their career and achieve their goals.
This week’s guest is Dr Laura Mauri who became Vice President of Global Clinical Research and Analytics at Medtronic in 2018 after an illustrious career in academic medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Dr Kalra asks Dr Mauri about early influences and her traineeship with legendary interventionalists, the late Donald Baim and Richard Kuntz. Dr Mauri talks openly about her decision-making process and the importance of selecting your priorities and committing to them. Ankur asks Laura about her decision to go into industry. Laura shares her thoughts on medical innovations and meeting urgent needs with unique perspectives.
What is Dr Mauri’s advice for a young cardiologist? How did she balance research and patient care? What are the questions that helped her decision making? How does Dr Mauri think about innovations in medicine?
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Dr Kalra asks Dr Mauri about early influences and her traineeship with legendary interventionalists, the late Donald Baim and Richard Kuntz. Dr Mauri talks openly about her decision-making process and the importance of selecting your priorities and committing to them. Ankur asks Laura about her decision to go into industry. Laura shares her thoughts on medical innovations and meeting urgent needs with unique perspectives.
What is Dr Mauri’s advice for a young cardiologist? How did she balance research and patient care? What are the questions that helped her decision making? How does Dr Mauri think about innovations in medicine?
In the early days of the Black Lives Matter movement, a group of internal medicine residents posed a question: What can we do about racial disparity within our institution?
Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Health Equity Committee decided to confront the status quo by asking: How is racism on a structural level present within our walls?
Ankur Kalra’s guests Michelle Morse (Founding Co-Director of EqualHealth and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School) and Lauren Eberly (Cardiology Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania) are co-authors of a retrospective study that demonstrated what had previously only been observed: That black or brown heart failure patients ended up in general medicine rather than specialised cardiology services. Following the publication of the study in November 2019, the Health Equity Committee started to roll out anti-racism trainings and to work on objective admission guidelines to mitigate biased behaviours.
Aarti Bhatt (Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota), member of the Minnesota chapter of Campaign Against Racism, talks about their initiative to support projects that have a positive impact on local communities on a global scale.
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Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Health Equity Committee decided to confront the status quo by asking: How is racism on a structural level present within our walls?
Ankur Kalra’s guests Michelle Morse (Founding Co-Director of EqualHealth and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School) and Lauren Eberly (Cardiology Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania) are co-authors of a retrospective study that demonstrated what had previously only been observed: That black or brown heart failure patients ended up in general medicine rather than specialised cardiology services. Following the publication of the study in November 2019, the Health Equity Committee started to roll out anti-racism trainings and to work on objective admission guidelines to mitigate biased behaviours.
Aarti Bhatt (Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota), member of the Minnesota chapter of Campaign Against Racism, talks about their initiative to support projects that have a positive impact on local communities on a global scale.
Heart surgery is not the best option for every patient suffering from structural heart disease. This was recognized by interventional cardiologist Anmar Kanaa’N and cardiac surgeon Joseph Lahorra who decided to unify their skillsets and bring the Structural Heart Program to life. Their vision was to offer patients with heart valve diseases all available options at Cleveland Clinic’s Akron General.
In this week’s Parallax, Dr Kanaa’N, the director of the program, and Dr Lahorra, chairman of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Department of Akron General introduce the listeners to the foundations of their program and the paradigm shift brought by TAVR.
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In this week’s Parallax, Dr Kanaa’N, the director of the program, and Dr Lahorra, chairman of the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Department of Akron General introduce the listeners to the foundations of their program and the paradigm shift brought by TAVR.
The State of Ohio reported its first coronavirus cases on March 9. Prior to that, on February 28, the Cleveland Clinic announced that they are prepared to open 1,000 additional hospital beds if needed. Ohio was one of the states to follow recommendations and intervene quickly.
Ankur Kalra asks Grant W Reed, Director of the Cleveland Clinic’s STEMI program, to reflect on the actions they took and the challenges of delaying cardiovascular procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Reed offers insight on the factors that influenced the Cleveland Clinic’s STEMI policy for COVID-19. Ankur and Grant discuss the triage considerations for patients with structural heart disease and the steps the clinic took to protect its healthcare workers.
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Ankur Kalra asks Grant W Reed, Director of the Cleveland Clinic’s STEMI program, to reflect on the actions they took and the challenges of delaying cardiovascular procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Dr Reed offers insight on the factors that influenced the Cleveland Clinic’s STEMI policy for COVID-19. Ankur and Grant discuss the triage considerations for patients with structural heart disease and the steps the clinic took to protect its healthcare workers.