Dr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π A milestone moment in lipid therapeutics! The new JAMA trial on the oral PCSK9 inhibitor Enlicitide reports a ~60% reduction in LDL-C, with parallel decreases in ApoB and Lp(a)βall on top of maximally tolerated statin therapy. For individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH)βwhere reaching LDL targets remains a persistent challengeβthis represents a major advance. An oral agent matching the potency of injectable PCSK9 inhibitors could reshape adherence, access, and long-term ASCVD prevention. ππ Safety was comparable to placebo, and effects...
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
β DECAF Trial insight! A new JAMA study shows that daily caffeinated coffee may lower recurrence of atrial fibrillation compared with abstinence. Patients drinking ~1 cup/day had 47% recurrence vs 64% with abstinence (HR 0.61, p=0.01) ππ No major safety concernsβchallenging long-held beliefs that coffee is proarrhythmic. π‘Takeaway: For many patients with AF, enjoying their morning brew may be both safe and possibly beneficial. #AtrialFibrillation #Cardiology #JAMA #ClinicalTrials #HeartHealth βππ
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π¨ New insights from The Lancet π¨ A major individual-patient-data meta-analysis (6 RCTs, 8,836 patients) shows that complete revascularisation in acute myocardial infarction significantly reduces cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and recurrent MI. ππ Benefits were consistent across age, sex, STEMI/NSTEMI, and lesion characteristics β strengthening the case for a more comprehensive approach beyond the culprit lesion alone. π¬π©Ί A powerful reminder: treating the whole heart saves more lives. β€οΈβ¨
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
𧬠New NEJM data on Olezarsen! In patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia, monthly RNA-targeted therapy delivered major triglyceride reductions (β62% to β72%) and a significant drop in acute pancreatitis risk (rate ratio 0.15). β¨ Improvements extended to ApoC-III, remnant cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol, with consistent benefits across both CORE-TIMI trials. π‘ A promising step forward in precision lipid therapy and pancreatitis prevention.
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π New Evidence from NEJM In a large meta-analysis of 17,801 patients with preserved LVEF after MI, beta-blockers did not reduce death, recurrent MI, or heart failure. Event rates were low, and outcomes were similar with or without therapy. π«π This clarifies practice for a growing post-MI population with LVEF β₯50%βprecision matters more than tradition. π― Full study: New England Journal of Medicine (2025). #Cardiology π #ClinicalEvidence #MI #HeartHealth
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π’ ADAPT AF-DES Trial β A Safer Path Forward! In patients with atrial fibrillation beyond 1 year after drug-eluting stent implantation, NOAC monotherapy delivered striking benefits over combination therapy. β Lower net adverse clinical events β Marked reduction in major/CRNM bleeding β Similar ischemic protection A beautifully simple strategy with meaningful impact. Published in NEJM (2025). ππ‘οΈππ
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π OCEAN Trial offers fresh insight into antithrombotic therapy after successful AF ablation. In 1284 patients followed for 3 years, event rates were remarkably low π. Rivaroxaban did not show superiority over aspirin for preventing stroke, systemic embolism, or covert embolic events, while bleeding risk was higher with anticoagulation. π§ 96% had no new infarcts on MRI at follow-up. Published in NEJM (2025) β a valuable contribution to nuanced AF post-ablation care.
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π§ John Locke: Experience β’ Liberty β’ Toleration Born a physician-philosopher, Locke championed empiricism β the idea that knowledge begins with experience, not dogma. His tabula rasa shaped modern psychology, while his Two Treatises of Government defined rights, consent, and freedom that echo through modern democracies. For clinicians, his legacy reminds us to: πΉ Trust observation and evidence over authority πΉ Respect patient autonomy and informed consent πΉ Foster pluralism and toleration in care His vision of reason and tolerance remains medicineβs...
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π VESALIUS-CV delivers powerful evidence: in high-risk patients without prior MI or stroke, evolocumab significantly reduced 3-point MACE by 25% and 4-point MACE by 19%, with LDL-C lowered to a median of 45 mg/dL. π‘ These results expand the horizon of prevention, showing that deep LDL reduction is both safe and effective in averting first cardiovascular events. π« Strong science. Clear signal. A new chapter in preventive cardiology. #Cardiology #LDL #Prevention #VESALIUSCV
info_outlineDr. Baliga's 'Podkasts for Curious Docs'
π« Septic Shock, Refined at the Fingertips β±οΈ A powerful new JAMA (2025) trial brings us one step closer to truly personalized resuscitation. The ANDROMEDA-SHOCK-2 study shows that targeting capillary refill time (CRT) β a simple bedside sign β can shorten time on organ support vs usual care, without increasing mortality. Key insight: Sometimes the most elegant solutions are low-tech, high-touch, and right at the bedside. π§ Precision π€ Physiology π‘ Pragmatism #Sepsis #CriticalCare #PersonalizedMedicine #JAMA #Hemodynamics #ICU #Shock
info_outlineπ New Evidence from NEJM
In a large meta-analysis of 17,801 patients with preserved LVEF after MI, beta-blockers did not reduce death, recurrent MI, or heart failure. Event rates were low, and outcomes were similar with or without therapy. π«π
This clarifies practice for a growing post-MI population with LVEF β₯50%βprecision matters more than tradition. π―
Full study: New England Journal of Medicine (2025).
#Cardiology π #ClinicalEvidence #MI #HeartHealth