π Genes, Gradients, and Game-Changers: FAQs on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π§ Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy β A Masterclass from Eugene Braunwald 𧬠π Just published in NEJM (Aug 2025): a sweeping, state-of-the-art review on HCM β from Teareβs first autopsy to myosin inhibitors, AI diagnostics, and gene therapy. π₯ Clinical insights, historical depth, trial data (EXPLORER-HCM, SEQUOIA-HCM, VALOR-HCM), and future-facing advancesβall distilled into one must-read. π SCD prevention, π« LVOT obstruction, π§ͺ MYBPC3/MYH7 mutations, 𧬠proteomics, and more. π Essential reading for cardiologists, geneticists, and...
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π¬ Silence APOC3, Slash Triglycerides, A New Era in Triglyceride Control
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π¨ New NEJM Study on Olezarsen π¨ In patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia and elevated cardiovascular risk, monthly subcutaneous olezarsen reduced triglycerides by over 60% at 6 months! ππ₯ β Significant drops in APOC3, VLDL, remnant & non-HDL cholesterol β No rise in LDL-C β Well-tolerated with mild injection-site reactions π¬ APOC3 inhibition emerges as a game-changer in lipidology. π ESSENCEβTIMI 73b Trial | Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals #Cardiology #LipidLowering #PrecisionMedicine #NEJM #Olezarsen #TGlowering #CVRisk #TIMI...
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Dr RR Baliga's Philosophical Discourses: Dogen (Japan, 1200β1253 CE) β Founder of Soto Zen
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
πΈ DΕgen Zenji (1200β1253), founder of the SΕtΕ Zen school in Japan, taught that true practice lies in zazenββjust sittingβ π§ββοΈβwhere enlightenment and practice are inseparable. His ShΕbΕgenzΕ continues to inspire mindfulness & presence today. β³β¨ #Zen #Mindfulness
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NSTEMI: π Less Ischemia, Less Reintervention
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π¨ New Evidence in NSTEMI Care! π« The SLIM Trial shows that FFR-guided complete revascularization during the index procedure in patients with NSTEMI and multivessel disease significantly reduces death, MI, stroke, and repeat PCI compared to culprit-only PCI. π― Key win? Fewer revascularizations, better outcomes β physiology beats anatomy again. π Published in JAMA, presented at #ESC2025 π Read more: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jama.2025.16189 #Cardiology #NSTEMI #FFR #InterventionalCardiology #EvidenceBasedMedicine #SLIMTrial
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Real-World Rx π, Real Results π: GLP-1 Agents Slash HFpEF Risk
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π₯ Practice-Changing Evidence in HFpEF! π₯ In a real-world cohort of 97,000+ patients with obesity & type 2 diabetes, semaglutide and tirzepatide reduced risk of heart failure hospitalization or death by over 40% π βοΈ No meaningful difference between the two agents. π§ Findings reinforce STEP-HFpEF & SUMMIT trials and highlight GLP-1 therapiesβ expanding role in cardiometabolic HFpEF π« #Cardiology #HFpEF #GLP1 #Semaglutide #Tirzepatide #T2DM #RealWorldEvidence #JAMA #HeartFailure
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The AMALFI AF Screening Trial-π Atrial Fibrillation Unmasked: A Modest Win for Mailed Monitors
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π’ Just read the #AMALFI trial in JAMA π° β a landmark remote RCT of AF screening using 14-day ECG patches mailed to older adults at stroke risk π¦π«. At 2.5 years, the patch group had a modestly higher AF detection rate (6.8% vs 5.4%, p=0.03) and increased anticoagulation use ππ§ . Stroke rates were similar βοΈ. π― Key takeaway: Remote, mail-based AF screening is feasible and nudges diagnosis rates β but will it move the needle on outcomes? #AFib #StrokePrevention #RemoteMonitoring #ECG #Cardiology #RCT #JAMA #DigitalHealth #Geriatrics π§π
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π AFib Gone, OAC Gone? ALONE-AF Challenges Lifelong Therapy
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π¨ New Trial Alert π¨ Can we safely stop anticoagulation after AF ablation? The ALONE-AF Trial π« suggests yesβin selected patients with no AF recurrence, stopping DOACs reduced major bleeding π without increasing stroke risk π§ . π 0.3% vs 2.2% for the composite outcome (P = .02) π Carefully monitored, low-risk patients may benefit most. π Editorial: Recommends shared decision-making π€ & individualized rhythm monitoring. π A potential shift in post-ablation care. π #AFib #Anticoagulation #EPTrials #CardioTwitter #StrokePrevention #JAMA...
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π¦ πBugged After the Heartbreak? Does H. pylori Screening After MI Prevent GI Bleeds?
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π¨ New Findings from the HELP-MI Trial! πΈπͺπ§ͺ Can routine Helicobacter pylori screening during acute myocardial infarction (MI) hospitalization prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB)? π Over 18,000 patients across 35 Swedish hospitals π Result: No significant reduction in UGIB overall (RR 0.90; P=0.18) π BUT: Clear benefit in patients with anemia (RR 0.44β0.64) and chronic kidney disease (RR 0.75) π§ Key Takeaway: Routine screening isnβt broadly warrantedβbut targeted testing in high-risk AMI patients may be the smarter path forward. π...
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𧬠Risk, Recurrence, Relief: Apixabanβs Edge in VTE π‘οΈ Emphasizes the risk stratification, recurrence data, and therapeutic benefit
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π©Ί New Insights on Apixaban for VTE! π’ The HI-PRO trial challenges the old 3-month rule for provoked VTE. π Extended low-dose apixaban (2.5 mg BID) reduced recurrent VTE from 10.0% β‘οΈ 1.3% with minimal major bleeding. π― Editorial in NEJM urges a shift from binary labels (βprovoked vs unprovokedβ) to a patient-centered, risk-adapted approach. π§ Art meets evidence in the decision to extend anticoagulation. π¬ Letβs rethink how we label, risk-stratify, and treat. π #VTE #Apixaban #Anticoagulation #NEJM #HI_PRO #Thrombosis #PrecisionMedicine...
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Dr RR Baliga's Philosophical Discourses: Zhu Xi (China, 1130β1200 CE) β Neo-Confucian Philosopher
Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π Zhu Xi (1130β1200), a master of Neo-Confucianism, reshaped Chinese philosophy with his focus on rationality, self-cultivation & education. His commentaries on the Four Books guided civil service exams for centuries across East Asia. πβ¨ #Leadership #Philosophy #History #Confucianism
info_outline㪠Anemia & Folate: Key Insights
π©Έ Anemia is primarily caused by iron deficiency in the U.S., especially in pregnancy (30% prevalence).
π NHANES data shows high iron deficiency in young females (up to 77.5% at ferritin <50 ΞΌg/L).
β οΈ Causes include heavy menstrual loss, increased pregnancy needs, and low dietary heme iron.
π Iron supplements (18 mg/day) help, but >45 mg/day may cause nausea & constipation.
πΆ Maternal iron status affects infant birth weight, and delayed cord clamping improves newborn iron stores.
π In low-income countries, anemia is also linked to malaria, parasites, and hemoglobinopathies.
π Folic acid fortification since 1998 has reduced neural-tube defects, making folate deficiency rare in the U.S.