The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

Atrial Fibrillation

Catheter Ablation

Electrophysiology

Ventricular Tachycardia

Heart Failure

Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Pulse Field Ablation

Heart Rhythm Society

Artificial Intelligence

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing

Pulsed Field Ablation

Cardiac Electrophysiology

Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Machine Learning

Hospital VT Ablation Volume

Post-Procedural Complications

Left Bundle Branch Pacing

Stroke Risk Stratification

Heart Failure Monitoring

The Lead – a weekly journal review podcast that is designed to keep you up to date and informed on the latest publications and hottest topics in electrophysiology. Key takeaways, in-depth interpretations, and informative interviews are all fitted into 15 minute time slots, so that they fit easily into your busy schedule. Click the link below to learn more!

22 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	165	Founded	3 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	CoursesEducation

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Latest Episodes

The Lead Episode 156: A Discussion of The Association Between Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Quality of Life: A Substudy of the SHAM-PVI Trial

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 ... more

18 Jun 2026 • 15 min

The Lead Episode 155: A Discussion of 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)

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 Puls... more

11 Jun 2026 • 21 min

The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study

In this episode of The Lead, host Sandeep A. Saha, MD, MS, FHRS, is joined by Babak Nazer, MD, and Rajesh Kabra, MD, FHRS, to discuss the journal article, Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fi... more

4 Jun 2026 • 25 min • Most popular

The Lead Episode 153: A Discussion of Exercise Capacity and Quality-of-Life Improvements after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clinically Asymptomatic Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

In this episode of The Lead, host Melissa Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, FHRS is joined by Jenelle Dziano, PhD candidate, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Adrian D. Elliott, PhD for a discussion of the recent journal article, Exercise Capacity and Quality-o... more

28 May 2026 • 18 min

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Recent Guests

Osamu Wazni

Presenter of Avant Guard trial publication

Episode: The Lead Episode 155: A Discussion of 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)

Babak Nazer

Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Professor of Medicine and Bioengineering

University of Washington, Seattle

Episode: The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study

Rajesh Kabra

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist

HCA Midwest Health, Overland Park

Episode: The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study

Jenelle Dziano

From the Adelaide University in Australia

Adelaide University

Episode: The Lead Episode 153: A Discussion of Exercise Capacity and Quality-of-Life Improvements after Catheter Ablation in Patients with Clinically Asymptomatic Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Gregory Marcus

Endowed Professor of Atrial Fibrillation Research at UCSF; editor of accompanying NEJM editorial

University of California, San Francisco

Episode: The Lead Episode 152: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial (New England Journal of Medicine)

Ammar Killu

Associate Professor of Medicine; leads the appendage closure practice

Mayo Clinic, Rochester

Jason Jacobson

Associate Professor and Director of Complex Arrhythmia Ablation Program

Westchester Medical Center

Scott Brancato

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist at the Oregon Clinic

Oregon Clinic, Portland, Oregon

Episode: The Lead Episode 151: Heart Rhythm 2026 Late-Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of Outcomes of Left Atrial Appendage Closure versus Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Ablation: A Sub-Analysis of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial

Rakesh Gopinathannair

Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology Labs

Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute; University of Missouri, Columbia

Host

Melissa Middeldorp

Host of The Lead Podcast presented by Heart Rhythm Society

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings

The best way to stay up to date on recent EP Literature
The best way to stay up to date on recent EP Literature.
Apple Podcasts
5
heart burner
United States3 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests provide credible, clinically relevant insights.

Strong focus on recent trials and real-world implications helps with decision-making.

Lively discussions that clarify complex topics for practitioners.

Concise coverage makes it easy to stay current without information overload.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#174	United States/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#23	United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#230	Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#133	Australia/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#135	Italy/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#83	Switzerland/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Lead Episode 154: A Discussion of Safety and Effectiveness of a Dual-Energy Focal Ablation Catheter to Treat Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: 6- Month Results of the FlexPulse IDE Study

Q: What do you think about this study? What are your initial thoughts and where do you see these results playing into your clinical management of your patients?

The catheter represents a step forward in focal dual-energy ablation, with clear potential for paroxysmal AFib; its flexibility may enable more targeted lesions, especially in redo procedures, and could broaden the use of focal PFA while maintaining safety, though real-world performance at 12 months and broader patient populations remain to be seen.

The Lead Episode 146: Late Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of LEAP2: A First-In-Human Study of a Chronically-Implanted Novel Leadless Pacemaker for Conduction System Pacing

Q: Given the high early dislodgement rate, what changes in device design or imaging could improve durability and safety for future iterations?

Potential improvements include optimizing the implant angle, employing intracardiac echocardiography more widely to ensure precise engagement with endocardial surfaces, and developing stronger anchoring mechanisms to prevent dislodgement, though these may increase procedural cost and complexity.

The Lead Episode 146: Late Breaker Coverage: A Discussion of LEAP2: A First-In-Human Study of a Chronically-Implanted Novel Leadless Pacemaker for Conduction System Pacing

Q: What are the most important criteria for confirming left bundle branch capture in this leadless system, and how reliable are practical criteria compared to more formal measures?

Practical criteria such as a left bundle branch morphology on lead V1 and a ventricular activation time under 74 ms are reasonable for a feasibility setting, but they may miss nuanced aspects of true left bundle capture; more specific approaches include demonstrating a transition from non-selective to selective left bundle pacing and observing LV septal capture, potentially supported by maneuvers like decremental pacing or ventricular extra stimuli.

The Lead Episode 143: A Discussion of The Empirical Evidence in the Successful Anatomical Ablation of Idiopathic LV Summit Ventricular Arrhythmias

Q: Do the authors' findings suggest limitations in epicardial mapping or the overall approach to LV Summit VT ablation?

Yes, limitations include sparse epicardial activation data, limited intramural mapping, and the possibility that epicardial proximity does not always indicate the true earliest activation site due to variable conduction speeds. The discussion emphasizes using comprehensive endocardial mapping, adjunctive imaging, and intramural assessment to guide ablation decisions, especially when epicardial approaches are constrained.

The Lead Episode 143: A Discussion of The Empirical Evidence in the Successful Anatomical Ablation of Idiopathic LV Summit Ventricular Arrhythmias

Q: What do you think are the main findings in the study, and how might this influence ablation practice for LV Summit VT?

The study shows that in many patients the earliest endocardial activation site aligns with the endocardial breakout, and that targeting the endocardial activation site can yield successful elimination and non-inducibility. This challenges the assumption that the epicardial site closest to the epicardial breakout is always the best ablation target and suggests that conduction velocity and intramural factors play a significant role in breakthrough patterns, potentially reshaping mapping priorities.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently dives into cutting-edge electrophysiology topics, with episodes built around analysis of recent publications, trial results, and emerging technologies. Conversations are hosted by practitioners who unpack study design, methods, and real-world implications, often contrasting device therapies, pharmacology, and lifestyle interventions. A standout pattern is the mix of clinical rigor and practical context, including safety signals, integration into patient care, and the role of wearables and novel pacing strategies. The format tends to feature expert panels and multiple guests, delivering actionable takeaways for clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers evaluating new therapies or tools.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. This Week in Cardiology
2. Eagle's Eye View: Your Weekly CV Update From ACC.org
3. Heart Rhythm TV Pod
4. EHRA Cardio Talk
5. Cardionerds: A Cardiology Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 165 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Osamu Wazni
2. Babak Nazer
3. Rajesh Kabra
4. Jenelle Dziano
5. Gregory Marcus
6. Ammar Killu
7. Jason Jacobson
8. Scott Brancato

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