Advertise on podcast: Cardiac Consult: A Cleveland Clinic Podcast for Healthcare Professionals

Milind Desai, MD, and Per Wierup, MD, discuss the evaluation and management of high-risk aortic valve endocarditis, including indications for urgent intervention and timing of surgery. They also review operative approaches to patients with heart failure, uncontrolled infection and embolic risk, highlighting the role of multidisciplinary expertise in complex endocarditis care Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Luke Laffin, MD, speaks with Steven Nissen, MD, about findings from the ALPACA trial evaluating lepodisiran and its effects on oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein(a). They discuss the potential mechanisms linking lipoprotein(a) to cardiovascular risk and how ongoing phase 3 research may shape future management of patients with elevated lipoprotein(a). Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469. Learn more.

In this excerpt from Tall Rounds®, Gianluca Torregrossa, MD, discusses minimally invasive and totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (TECAB), highlighting procedural advances that enable multi-vessel revascularization through less invasive approaches. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469. View the full Tall Rounds program. https://2207941.mediaspace.kaltura.com/category/Tall+Rounds/75663251

Steven Nissen, MD, and Luke Laffin, MD, discuss one-year follow-up data for CTX310, a CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing therapy targeting ANGPTL3 to treat lipid disorders. They review the sustained reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and the potential role of one-time gene-editing therapies in cardiovascular prevention and lipid management. Read the article. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/effects-of-crispr-cas9-gene-editing-for-dyslipidemia-endure-1-year

Steven Nissen, MD, and Ashish Sarraju, MD, discuss early clinical data on Kylo-11, a novel therapy that produced substantial reductions in lipoprotein(a) for up to one year after a single injection. Lowering lipoprotein(a), a genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor linked to atherosclerotic disease and aortic stenosis, remains an important focus for preventive cardiology. Learn about the new drug's mechanism and safety findings.  Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Marc Gillinov, MD, and Per Wierup, MD, discuss the evolution of robotic valve surgery, including advanced mitral valve repair techniques, patient selection and expanding applications for aortic valve and coronary procedures. They examine how enhanced visualization, instrument dexterity and a mature robotic program support excellent safety, durability and clinical outcomes. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Bo Xu, MD, and Shinya Unai, MD, discuss approaches to diagnosing and treating infective endocarditis, including indications for surgical intervention. The conversation highlights the role of multimodality imaging , individualized surgical planning and multidisciplinary care strategies to improve patient outcomes. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Donna Kimmaliardjuk, MD, and Gianluca Torregrossa, MD, discuss the expanding role of robotic coronary artery bypass grafting, including total endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB). They explore how a tailored surgical approach can improve long-term patient outcomes. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Faisal Bakaeen, MD, and Grant Reed, MD, discuss recent advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease, including drug-coated balloons, intravascular imaging, calcium modification and evolving PCI strategies. They also examine innovations in coronary artery bypass grafting, multi-arterial revascularization, minimally invasive and robotic techniques and the growing role of heart team collaboration in selecting surgical, percutaneous and hybrid treatment approaches. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Luke J. Laffin, MD, and Vikas Sunder, MD, discuss the evolving role of aspirin in primary prevention, emphasizing individualized assessment of each patient's cardiovascular and bleeding risk. They explore how coronary artery calcium scores, lipoprotein(a) levels and comorbid conditions factor into aspirin recommendations in contemporary preventive cardiology practice. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Kenneth McCurry, MD, and Gregory Jones, MD, discuss the development of robotic lung transplantation, including candidate selection, operative considerations and early clinical experience with this minimally invasive approach. The conversation explores protocol development and future applications of robotic technology in lung transplantation. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Courtney Hanak, MD, and Ravi Ambani, MD, discuss limb preservation and amputation prevention in patients with peripheral arterial disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia. They review diagnostic approaches to assess perfusion and tissue viability, current revascularization strategies for limb salvage,  wound care, factors that influence amputation decisions and emerging technologies shaping the future of limb preservation. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Ashish Sarraju, MD, and Leslie Cho, MD, discuss key updates in the 2026 ACC/AHA cholesterol guidelines, including earlier LDL screening and integration of the PREVENT risk calculator. They explore clinical implications of Lp(a) testing, risk stratification and expanding therapeutic options to help patients achieve evidence-based lipid goals. Read more about the guidelines: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/counseling-patients-on-the-new-cholesterol-guideline Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Michael Zhen-Yu Tong, MD, and Sanjeeb Bhattacharya, MD, discuss the clinical management of heart transplant patients during the first year, including immunosuppression strategies, rejection surveillance and complication recognition. They also highlight evolving technologies, donor expansion and collaborative care approaches that are improving outcomes in advanced heart failure and transplantation. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.

Oussama Wazni, MD, MBA, and Mohamed Kanj, MD, discuss the clinical rationale and outcomes behind combining atrial fibrillation ablation with left atrial appendage closure, including insights from the OPTION trial. They examine patient selection, procedural considerations and the impact of pulsed field ablation on safety, efficiency and long-term stroke prevention strategies. Looking to refer a patient? Please reach out to our Physician Referral team Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET) at 855.751.2469.