Parallax by Ankur Kalra

Radcliffe Cardiology

See cardiology differently. Join Dr. Ankur Kalra for expert conversations exploring both the science and soul of cardiovascular care. Hear from legendary cardiologists and emerging leaders on clinical excellence, innovation, and the human experience of cardiology—burnout, spirituality, what it means to lead, and what it means to heal. Discover practical insights on GDMT optimization, heart failure management, interventional advances, and emerging research. Plus conversations on patient advocacy and the future of cardiology. Published every second Monday. Perfect for cardiologists seeking deeper understanding of their practice and profession. → Rate & review on Apple Podcasts | Contact Ankur: podcast@radcliffe-group.com

  1. EP 155: Making Every Procedure Safer, Every Patient Count: Bleeding Risk, Sex Differences, and the Future of Structural Heart

    3D AGO

    EP 155: Making Every Procedure Safer, Every Patient Count: Bleeding Risk, Sex Differences, and the Future of Structural Heart

    In this special TIO Congress edition of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra is joined by two of interventional cardiology's most influential voices: Professor Roxana Mehran, incoming President of the American College of Cardiology and Co-Course Director of TIO, and Professor Nicholas Van Mieghem, TIO Course Director. The conversation spans the evolution of online medical education, sex-specific differences in cardiovascular disease, and the challenge of translating clinical evidence into everyday practice. The guests explore sex as a biological variable across valve disease, plaque formation, and left ventricular remodeling, address the underdiagnosis of microvascular dysfunction in women, and examine persistent access barriers for female and non-white patients despite advances in trials such as SMART and RHEA. Professor Van Mieghem adds insights on modern TAVI planning and lifetime valve management, while Professor Mehran shares promising data on Factor XI inhibitors and the case for simplifying antithrombotic regimens. The episode closes on clinical inertia - with intravascular imaging uptake in the US still at just 12–15% despite a Class 1 indication, Professor Mehran outlines her ACC presidential vision: closing the gap between evidence and bedside practice, and reversing the troubling rise in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Questions and comments can be sent to podcast@radcliffe-group.com and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

    54 min
  2. EP 154: Climate Change and Cardiovascular Health: From Heat Waves to Heart Risk

    MAR 2

    EP 154: Climate Change and Cardiovascular Health: From Heat Waves to Heart Risk

    In this episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra speaks with Dr Sameed Khatana, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and clinical cardiologist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Their conversation examines the growing connection between environmental factors and cardiovascular health. Dr Khatana explains why conditions like air quality and temperature represent important determinants of cardiovascular outcomes. He shares observations from his Philadelphia practice: patients unable to exercise outdoors during extreme heat, medication challenges for those on diuretics during heatwaves, and economic pressures that force difficult choices between cooling costs and other necessities. The discussion explores both clinical interventions and systemic solutions, including programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and municipal heat action plans. Dr Khatana presents research showing that vulnerable populations—particularly older patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors—face disproportionate impacts from environmental stressors. Dr Khatana encourages cardiologists to engage with this evolving aspect of patient care, advocating for collaboration between professional societies, environmental scientists, and policymakers to develop effective strategies that support cardiovascular health in changing environmental conditions. Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

    30 min
  3. EP 153: The 60-Minute Window: Engineering Solutions for Faster STEMI Diagnosis

    FEB 17

    EP 153: The 60-Minute Window: Engineering Solutions for Faster STEMI Diagnosis

    In this episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Dr Rakesh Shah, a former interventional cardiologist, Oxford MBA graduate, and founder of DRS.LINQ. Dr Shah brings a unique perspective on addressing critical delays in heart attack diagnosis through the intersection of clinical medicine, engineering, and business strategy. The conversation explores a pressing challenge in cardiovascular care: the majority of cardiac damage occurs within the first hour of symptom onset, yet treatment activation often takes several hours. Dr Shah introduces mHeart, a mobile EKG platform designed to create a "virtual cardiology office." Unlike consumer wearables that lack critical chest leads, this technology enables patients to initiate comprehensive cardiac evaluation anywhere—at home, at work, or while traveling—transmitting diagnostic-quality data directly to cardiologists. The episode delves into Dr Shah's diverse career path and offers candid advice for physician-entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with professional business leaders to achieve scalability. Looking ahead, Dr Shah discusses the integration of AI and machine learning into mobile diagnostic platforms as essential tools for an aging workforce and overstretched healthcare system. Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

    37 min
  4. EP 151: Cardiology's 2025 Year in Review with Dr Sukh Nijjer

    JAN 19

    EP 151: Cardiology's 2025 Year in Review with Dr Sukh Nijjer

    In this highly anticipated annual year-end episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes back Dr Sukh Nijjer, an interventional cardiologist in London, for their seventh consecutive year reviewing cardiology's most significant developments. This annual review offers a comprehensive look at the trials and breakthroughs that shaped cardiovascular medicine in 2025. Dr Nijjer guides us through a broad selection of clinical trials spanning post-MI management, heart failure therapeutics, atrial fibrillation strategies, and interventional innovations. The discussion challenges established practice, from questioning routine beta blocker use after MI in patients with preserved ejection fraction, to examining the controversial findings from the CLOSURE AF and OCEAN studies. The episode highlights encouraging advancements including the POLY-HF study's success with fixed-dose polypills for heart failure, promising data on bioadaptor stents and drug-coated balloons in interventional cardiology, and the robust cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 agonists demonstrated in the SOUL and SURPASS studies. Dr Kalra and Dr Nijjer conclude with an optimistic look at cardiology's future, exploring how targeted therapies could transform the landscape from polypharmacy to precision medicine. Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

    1h 41m
  5. EP 150: Building a Legacy in Cardiology: From the NIH to JAMA Cardiology with Robert Bonow

    JAN 5

    EP 150: Building a Legacy in Cardiology: From the NIH to JAMA Cardiology with Robert Bonow

    In this landmark 150th episode of Parallax marking the start of Season 8, Dr Ankur Kalra welcomes Professor Robert Bonow, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Northwestern University and Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Cardiology. This milestone conversation explores the career of one of cardiology's most influential academic leaders and examines how strategic vision, mentorship, and institutional leadership have shaped modern cardiovascular medicine. The discussion reveals the practical realities of building academic excellence through Dr Bonow's 33-year tenure at Northwestern University. He details the strategic approach to growing a cardiology division from 25 faculty members to over 70, emphasizing that success hinges on recruiting exceptional talent, providing institutional support, and granting faculty freedom to pursue their visions. Dr Bonow offers candid perspectives on academic leadership challenges and creating environments where innovation flourishes. Dr Bonow reflects on his influence through editorial and professional society leadership. As co-editor of seven editions of Braunwald's Heart Disease, he shares lessons from Dr Eugene Braunwald and discusses the evolution toward a digital "living textbook" responding in real-time to clinical evidence. His role founding JAMA Cardiology reveals strategic decisions required to establish a premier journal, while his progression through the American Heart Association - culminating in the presidency - demonstrates how sustained professional engagement amplifies individual impact. He closes with actionable guidance for early career cardiologists on recognizing opportunities, developing writing skills, and embracing the non-linear nature of successful careers. Questions and comments can be sent to "podcast@radcliffe-group.com" and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCardio Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts.

    51 min
4.8
out of 5
54 Ratings

About

See cardiology differently. Join Dr. Ankur Kalra for expert conversations exploring both the science and soul of cardiovascular care. Hear from legendary cardiologists and emerging leaders on clinical excellence, innovation, and the human experience of cardiology—burnout, spirituality, what it means to lead, and what it means to heal. Discover practical insights on GDMT optimization, heart failure management, interventional advances, and emerging research. Plus conversations on patient advocacy and the future of cardiology. Published every second Monday. Perfect for cardiologists seeking deeper understanding of their practice and profession. → Rate & review on Apple Podcasts | Contact Ankur: podcast@radcliffe-group.com

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