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The Cardiovascular CME podcast is a free educational offering from Mayo Clinic, featuring content geared towards physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who are interested in exploring a multitude of cardiology-related topics. Tune in and subscribe to explore today’s most pressing cardiology topics with your colleagues at Mayo Clinic and gain valuable insights that can be directly applied to your practice. No CME credit offered for podcast episodes at this time.
Episodes

Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
SCAD-Update on Diagnosis and Treatment
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
SCAD-Update on Diagnosis and Treatment
Guest: Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D. (@SharonneHayes)
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D. (@DrSteveKopecky)
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) was traditionally understood to be a rare syndrome that only happened to women who were pregnant or early postpartum and was almost universally fatal. That understanding has changed as research has become more focused on heart disease in women.
Joining us today to discuss current SCAD diagnosis and treatment is Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Evolution of the understanding of SCAD
- SCAD defined
- Differentiation of SCAD from other acute coronary syndromes
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Impact of statins
- Family screening
- Lifestyle modifications
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
COVID 19 in the CICU
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
Tuesday Oct 26, 2021
COVID 19 in the CICU
Guest: Courtney E. Bennett, D.O.
Host: Malcolm R. Bell, M.D.
The data is strong: Patients with known cardiovascular disease or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Patients with COVID-19 and underlying cardiovascular disease are sicker and require more ICU-level care than patients without cardiovascular risk factors. Those factors include hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
Joining us today to discuss COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease is Courtney E. Bennett, D.O., a cardiologist and the director of the cardiac intensive care unit at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Heightened risk of COVID-19 infection in patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease and impact on prognosis
- Manifestations that identify patients as having myocardial insult or injury
- Magnitude of troponin rises in these patients who may have septic shock or severe respiratory distress
- The role of electrocardiogram (ECG) for patients with ST depression
- Treatment for patients with ST elevation
- Anticoagulation treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Ceramides as a New Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Ceramides as a New Biomarker for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction
Guest: Vlad C. Vasile, M.D., Ph.D. (@VladCVasile)
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D. (@DrSteveKopecky)
Ceramides are lipids that are ubiquitously expressed. They are present in all cell membranes. Some ceramides have been associated with risk of atherosclerotic disease in patients with known coronary artery disease. Researchers at Mayo Clinic and others have demonstrated that ceramides can also predict negative events in patients without known coronary artery disease.
Joining us today to discuss ceramides is Vlad C. Vasile, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist and co-director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Ceramides and the ceramide score blood test
- Primary and secondary risk assessment for atherosclerotic events
- Using ceramide score in patients at intermediate risk
- Score modification via diet, exercise and lipid-lowering agents
- Testing for lipoprotein (a)
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
LVAD - Who Needs it?
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
Tuesday Oct 12, 2021
LVAD – Who Needs It?
Guest: Andrew (Drew) N. Rosenbaum, M.D. (@werDrD)
Host: Malcolm R. Bell, M.D.
About 6.5 million people over the age of 20 years in the U.S. have heart failure. That number is estimated to grow to about 8 million by 2030. Of those patients, about 300,000 would potentially benefit from left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy. Among patients with advanced heart failure, 66% to 75% would have comorbidities that would preclude benefit from LVAD therapy, so approximately 75,000 to 100,000 patients in the U.S. would be potentially eligible for LVAD therapy.
Joining us today to discuss LVADs is Andrew (Drew) N. Rosenbaum, M.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Types of left ventricular assist devices: durable, destination therapy, bridge to transplantation
- Who benefits from LVAD and why
- LVAD durability
- Age limitations for LVAD therapy
- Inappropriate candidates for LVAD
- End-stage renal disease, LVAD and dialysis
- When to consider referral for LVAD therapy
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Lipoprotein A - A Cardiovascular Risk Factor Commonly Ignored
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Lipoprotein A - A Cardiovascular Risk Factor Commonly Ignored
Guest: Vlad C. Vasile, M.D., Ph.D. (@VladCVasile)
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D. (@DrSteveKopecky)
Lipoprotein (a) is a circulating protein that associates with a cholesterol complex. It comprises two particles — a low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol particle and an LDL-like particle — and apolipoprotein A. Lipoprotein (a) is associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular events independent of the traditional risk factors. It has also been associated with valvular heart disease. Currently, there are no specific drugs that both reduce lipoprotein (a) levels and influence treatment outcomes.
Joining us today to discuss lipoprotein (a) is Vlad C. Vasile, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist and co-director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Lipoprotein (a) and its impact
- Plaque formation and pro-inflammatory and pro-clotting molecules
- Drugs and available treatment options
- Lifestyle impact
- Genetic basis and importance of familial awareness
- Screening for lipoprotein (a)
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
TTR Cardiac Amyloid - How Common and How to Diagnose
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
Tuesday Sep 28, 2021
TTR Cardiac Amyloid - How Common and How to Diagnose
Guest: Omar F. Abou Ezzeddine, M.D., C.M., M.S. (@abouezzeddine)
Host: Paul A. Friedman, M.D. (@drpaulfriedman)
There are two main types of cardiac amyloidosis. One is a medical emergency involving light chain amyloid. The source of the amyloid is the bone marrow, which secretes excessive amounts of monoclonal protein that infiltrate the myocardium and cause an acute necrotic infiltrative and restrictive cardiomyopathy. In the second type, transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, the source of the protein is the liver. The course of TTR amyloidosis occurs over years.
Joining us today to discuss cardiac amyloidosis is Omar F. Abou Ezzeddine, M.D., C.M., M.S., a consultant in Cardiovascular Medicine and director of the Cardiac Sarcoid Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Signs and symptoms indicative of cardiac amyloidosis
- Patients who receive atrial fibrillation ablation and patients who receive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
- Tools for diagnosis, including pyrophosphate (PYP) and MRI scans
- Therapeutic options for patients with TTR amyloidosis, including tafamidis
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
COVID and Exercise - Pearls from the Experts
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
Tuesday Sep 21, 2021
COVID and Exercise: Pearls from the Experts
Guest: Thomas G. Allison, Ph.D., M.P.H. (@DrTAllison)
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D. (@DrSteveKopecky)
Aerosol-generating procedures are medical procedures in which a patient has some significant and strong ventilation, such as coughing, that causes aerosols of a size that might release virus into the environment. Mayo Clinic has implemented procedures to protect both patients and staff from COVID-19 aerosols during stress testing.
Joining us today to discuss COVID-19 and its impact on exercise is Thomas G. Allison, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Pulmonary Exercise Laboratory and the Sports Cardiology Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Aerosols and aerosol-generating procedures
- Aerosol generation during exercise
- Masking and recirculators
- Reduction in exercise capacity due to masking
- Paper masks versus O2 consumption masks
- Patient and staff protection
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Sep 14, 2021
Bileaflet MVP Syndrome
Tuesday Sep 14, 2021
Tuesday Sep 14, 2021
Bileaflet MVP Syndrome
Guest: Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D. (@MJAckermanMDPhD)
Host: Paul A. Friedman, M.D. (@drpaulfriedman)
Mayo Clinic researchers looked at a 10-year experience of 1,200 patients who came to the Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic. The researchers found that 24 of those patients were survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Ten of those 24 survivors — 42% — had bileaflet prolapse. That finding helped the research team identify the features of arrhythmogenic bileaflet mitral valve prolapse syndrome.
Joining us today to discuss arrhythmogenic bileaflet mitral valve prolapse syndrome is Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric cardiologist and principal investigator at the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Mitral valve prolapse versus arrhythmogenic bileaflet mitral valve prolapse syndrome
- Signs and symptoms of arrhythmogenic bileaflet mitral valve prolapse syndrome
- Characteristic findings of complex ectopy
- Work-up and next steps
- A role for MRI
- Mitral annular disjunction
- Treatment options
- A role for ablation
- A genetic condition or not?
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Minorities
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Reducing Cardiovascular Risk in Minorities
Guest: LaPrincess C. Brewer, M.D., M.P.H., (@DrLaPrincess)
Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D. (@DrSteveKopecky)
Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of disease and other adverse health conditions among specific population groups.
Health care disparities are differences in health care coverage, access to care and quality of care between those groups. Health care disparities limit people's ability to achieve health equity — the equally fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Joining us today to discuss research in health care disparities is LaPrincess C. Brewer, M.D., M.P.H., a preventive cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Health disparities versus health care disparities
- Health equity explained
- COVID-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health
- Socioeconomic, racial and ethnic issues
- FAITH! cardiovascular health and wellness program
- FAITH! data and outcomes
- Next steps for providers
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.

Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
COVID-19 In Cardio Oncology
Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
COVID-19 in Cardio-Oncology
Guest: Joerg Herrmann, M.D. (@mayocvonc)
Host: Malcolm R. Bell, M.D.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), heart disease and cancerous tumors were the top three causes of death in the U.S. in 2020. Providers recognized early in the COVID-19 pandemic that patients with underlying cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors were at the highest risk of developing a severe course and even dying of COVID-19. Patients with cancer also had a higher risk of severe and fatal outcomes.
Joining us today to discuss COVID-19, heart disease and oncology treatment of tumors is Joerg Herrmann, M.D., director of the Cardio-Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Specific topics discussed:
- Relationship between heart disease, cancerous tumors and COVID-19
- Research in the connection between cardiac disease and an underlying tumor or the result of treatment of a tumor
- Changes to patient care during the pandemic
- Remote monitoring of patients and innovative artificial intelligence applications
- Cardio-oncology lessons learned
Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV.
No CME credit offered for this episode.
Podcast episode transcript found here.