EP Edge Journal Watch

Niraj Sharma MD FACC FHRS
  • 5.0 (7)
  • LIFE SCIENCES

Welcome to EP Edge Journal Watch — where cardiac electrophysiology meets evidence, precision, and perspective. Hosted by Dr. Niraj Sharma, this bi-weekly podcast distills high-impact cardiovascular and EP research into clear, clinically meaningful insights. Each episode goes beyond headlines and abstracts to uncover what new studies actually mean for patient care, decision-making, and the future of electrophysiology. What EP Edge Journal Watch stands for: Evidence-based practice Precision electrophysiology A forward-thinking, edge-driven approach to how we interpret and apply data in real-world clinical settings. Whether you’re an electrophysiologist, cardiologist, researcher, trainee, or allied health professional, EP Edge Journal Watch brings you the signal — not the noise. Expect sharp summaries, thoughtful commentary, and practical takeaways designed for the busy clinician who wants to stay ahead of the curve

Episodes

  1. LAAO vs Anticoagulation Explained: WATCHMAN FLX, AF Ablation Recurrence, Post-TAVR Heart Block & ICU AF, Hormones and TdP – EP Edge Journal Watch

    1D AGO

    LAAO vs Anticoagulation Explained: WATCHMAN FLX, AF Ablation Recurrence, Post-TAVR Heart Block & ICU AF, Hormones and TdP – EP Edge Journal Watch

    EP Edge Journal Watch Podcast — Issue 6 (January 2026) Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion, AF Ablation Insights, Post-TAVR Conduction, ICU Anticoagulation & Translational EP Signals EP Edge Journal Watch is your high-yield, evidence-driven electrophysiology podcast—designed for busy clinicians who want clinical relevance, mechanistic insight, and practice-changing nuance without wading through every paper. In Issue 6 (January 2026), we anchor the episode around Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO)—examining long-term randomized outcomes, implant mechanics that truly matter, and frontier strategies for the most complex patients—then expand into essential EP topics you’ll actually use on rounds. What’s covered in this episode? 1.      LAAO vs Oral Anticoagulation — Long-Term Outcomes We break down a contemporary randomized trial meta-analysis (including OPTION) examining: Stroke and systemic embolismHemorrhagic vs non-procedural bleedingA provocative mortality signal favoring LAAO Practical implications for counseling ablation patients and high-bleeding-risk populations.2.      WATCHMAN FLX Mechanics — Why Compression Matters A deep dive into device sizing and compression: Over-compression thresholdsImpact on peridevice leak (PDL)How this data should influence real-world implant decisions.3.      Persistent LAA Thrombus — Is There a Salvage Path? We discuss a multicenter experience using: Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomyEmbolic protection strategiesSame-session, no-touch LAA closure A feasibility signal—not for routine practice, but critical for expert centers facing clinical dead-ends.OPTION Sub-Analysis — Does LAAO Worsen AF Recurrence? Using the largest randomized dataset available: Concomitant vs staged LAAO with ablationAF recurrence, cardioversion, redo ablationWhy “no AF recurrence” ≠ “no stroke risk”.4.      Post-TAVR Conduction Disturbances A physiology-forward look at: Intraprocedural vs delayed high-grade AV blockHV interval and PR prolongation as rule-out toolsPractical EP risk stratification after TAVR.5.      Early Recurrence After Persistent AF Ablation Insights from CAPLA challenge the traditional blanking period: Timing and burden of early recurrenceWhy late blanking-period events matter mostHow this should reshape post-ablation follow-up.6.      Septic Shock + AF — ICU Anticoagulation Reality A clinically uncomfortable but crucial topic: Therapeutic anticoagulation in septic shockMortality vs bleeding tradeoffsWhy EP input matters even in the ICU.7.      Sex Hormones & Torsades de Pointes — A Translational EP Signal A paradigm-shifting study linking: Hypogonadism, hyperestrogenism, and QT prolongationCellular electrophysiology and real-world TdP severityA new biologic layer in arrhythmic risk.   Want more? Subscribe to: EP Edge Journal Watch (Weekly): https://lnkd.in/e-Wa4diC A concise, high-yield weekly digest of the most important EP studies—curated, contextualized, and clinically translated so you don’t have to read everything to understand what matters. The EP Edge Newsletter (In-Depth Issues): https://lnkd.in/ep3NdZUz Our flagship, deep-dive editions, where we go far beyond abstracts—breaking down: Technology and mechanismsTrial design and statistical nuanceEfficacy, durability, and complicationsWhat truly differentiates one approach from anotherThe upcoming EP Edge deep-dive issue on Pulsed Field Ablation will do exactly that—offering a comprehensive, evidence-driven analysis of PFA platforms, mechanisms, outcomes, safety, and where the field is headed next.

    14 min
  2. Pulsed Field Ablation, Atrial Fibrillation Progression & Leadless Pacing | EP Edge Journal Watch – Jan 2026 (Issue 5)

    JAN 5

    Pulsed Field Ablation, Atrial Fibrillation Progression & Leadless Pacing | EP Edge Journal Watch – Jan 2026 (Issue 5)

    EP Edge Journal Watch — January 2026 | Issue #5 Pulsed Field Ablation, Device Therapy, and the Era of Personalized EP Welcome to EP Edge Journal Watch – Issue #5 (January 2026), your high-yield, evidence-driven electrophysiology podcast designed for practicing EPs who want more than just abstracts. As 2026 begins, electrophysiology is entering a defining phase—where pulsed field ablation (PFA) matures beyond feasibility, device therapy is reframed by competing risk, and “one-size-fits-all” ablation strategies give way to personalization. In this episode, Dr. Niraj Sharma MD FACC FHRS breaks down practice-changing trials, real-world registries, and mechanistic insights that are actively reshaping how we approach atrial fibrillation ablation, ICD decision-making, leadless pacing, and AF progression. What’s covered in this issue: Long-term ICD outcomes in nonischemic cardiomyopathy Why preventing sudden death does not always translate into survival benefit—and how age and competing risk matter.Leadless pacing evolution Dual-chamber leadless pacemakers, operator learning curves, and why high acute atrial thresholds don’t predict chronic failure.Reducing CIED infections How a simple iodinated adhesive drape significantly lowers contamination and infection risk.AF progression as a biologic signal Why device-detected AF progression predicts mortality, heart failure, and stroke risk.Monitoring-driven AF management How implantable cardiac monitors change rhythm-control strategies and outcomes.Pulsed Field Ablation at scale CE-Mark data, IDE trials, and the MANIFEST-US registry defining safety, durability, and workflow in real-world PFA.Rare but serious delayed PFA complications What every electrophysiologist should know about delayed ischemia and malignant arrhythmias.Personalized AF ablation strategies LA wall thickness–guided ablation, sex-specific outcomes, and patient-factor–driven lesion optimization beyond PVI-only.Why this episode matters: This is not headline medicine. This is mechanism-aware, data-literate electrophysiology, focused on: Durability over acute successPrecision over dogmaBiology over empiricismWhether you’re performing AF ablation weekly, implanting devices, or shaping EP programs, this episode provides context you can apply immediately in the lab and clinic. Want more? EP Edge Journal Watch (Weekly): concise, curated EP research updatesEP Edge Newsletter (In-Depth): deep dives into trials, mechanisms, and clinical implicationsAll references, figures, and infographics discussed in this episode are available in the EP Edge Journal Watch LinkedIn Newsletter. Subscribe, follow, and stay at the edge of electrophysiology. — Niraj Sharma, MD FACC FHRS Cardiac Electrophysiologist | Founder, EP Edge

    34 min
  3. AF Beyond the Lesion: Can We Stop Anticoagulation, Trust Sham Trials, and Treat AF as a Metabolic Disease?

    12/18/2025

    AF Beyond the Lesion: Can We Stop Anticoagulation, Trust Sham Trials, and Treat AF as a Metabolic Disease?

    In this December 2025 episode of EP Edge Journal Watch, Dr. Niraj Sharma breaks down the most provocative atrial fibrillation trials of the year—studies that force us to rethink what really drives AF outcomes beyond the ablation lesion  EP EDGE JW Dec 2025 Newsletter. We dive deep into four game-changing themes shaping modern electrophysiology: Can we safely stop anticoagulation after AF ablation?A critical analysis of OCEAN (NEJM 2025) and ALONE-AF, exploring DOAC de-escalation, aspirin as a comparator, and whether selected AF-free patients may safely discontinue oral anticoagulation.  Is AF ablation real—or partly placebo?A deep dive into sham-controlled ablation trials, including SHAM-PVI and the landmark PFA-SHAM trial, providing definitive evidence that both thermal and pulsed-field ablation deliver true reductions in AF burden and meaningful quality-of-life benefits.  Are metabolic drugs the next AF substrate therapy?We examine emerging data on GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide), metformin, and SGLT2 inhibitors after AF ablation—highlighting which therapies reduce recurrence and which fail when used purely as off-label antiarrhythmics.  Why do women run faster sinus rates than men?A fascinating look at human sinoatrial node transcriptomics, explaining sex-specific heart-rate biology and its implications for inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinus node dysfunction, and AF progression. What you’ll learn Why the “DOAC for life” paradigm after AF ablation is beginning to crackHow sham trials finally settle the debate about ablation’s true efficacyWhich metabolic drugs actually modify AF substrate—and which do notHow sex-specific sinus node biology should influence EP decision-makingThis episode moves electrophysiology beyond lesion sets toward precision, whole-patient AF care—integrating stroke prevention, substrate modification, and biologic reality. Full trial graphics, references, and detailed breakdowns are available in the EP Edge Journal Watch – December 2025 Issue on LinkedIn. Questions or feedback? Email epedgecast@gmail.com This is EP Edge Journal Watch — where data meets clinical judgment.

    16 min
  4. EP Edge Journal Watch Issue 3: Smartwatch AFib Detection: Accuracy, False Alerts, Apple Watch ECG, and What Clinicians Need to Know

    11/30/2025

    EP Edge Journal Watch Issue 3: Smartwatch AFib Detection: Accuracy, False Alerts, Apple Watch ECG, and What Clinicians Need to Know

    Smartwatches are now among the most widely used heart-monitoring tools in the world — but how accurate are they really at detecting AFib? In this December 2025 Issue 3 of EP-Edge Journal Watch, Dr. Niraj Sharma, cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, breaks down the strongest evidence to date on smartwatch AFib detection, Apple Watch ECG performance, false alerts, AF burden tracking, and post-ablation monitoring. With more than 450 million global smartwatch users and growing, both clinicians and patients rely on devices like the Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Withings for early arrhythmia detection. This episode answers the questions everyone is asking: What You’ll Learn in This Episode • How accurate are smartwatches for detecting atrial fibrillation (AFib)? A breakdown of major meta-analyses across Apple Watch ECG, PPG sensors, and multi-device comparisons — including real numbers on sensitivity, specificity, and real-world diagnostic performance. • Why do so many smartwatch alerts end up being false positives? Dr. Sharma explains the positive predictive value problem in low-prevalence populations and why young, healthy users often receive incorrect AFib notifications. • Apple Watch ECG vs. Holter monitor vs. implantable monitor Find out when a smartwatch is good enough, when a clinical monitor is necessary, and when an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) remains the gold standard. • Can smartwatches reliably detect AFib recurrence after ablation? Review of the CIRCADOSE data showing smartwatch AFib-burden algorithms compared with implantable monitors — and when they outperform intermittent Holters. • Why EP patients get so many inconclusive smartwatch readings Including pacing, left bundle branch block, low-voltage signals, and ectopy — and when to move directly to patch or implantable monitoring. Clinical Framework & Real-World Decision Pathways Dr. Sharma provides practical, evidence-backed direction for: Confirming AFib from smartwatch ECG stripsManaging stroke risk using the CHADS-VASc (spoken as “Chads Two Vask”) scorePost-ablation AFib surveillanceChoosing between smartwatch monitoring, Holter monitoring, and ICMCounseling anxious, low-risk patients on false AFib alertsSupporting shared decision-making with objective dataWho This Episode Is For Cardiac electrophysiologistsCardiologistsInternal medicine & family medicine cliniciansAPPs (NPs, PAs)Medical traineesPatients living with AFibAnyone using a smartwatch for heart rhythm monitoringAbout EP-Edge Journal Watch EP-Edge Journal Watch delivers high-level electrophysiology insights, clinical trial reviews, and real-world practice frameworks — with every episode designed to help clinicians make smarter, faster, evidence-based decisions. Subscribe for in-depth analyses of landmark EP trials, AFib management strategies, ablation literature, device therapy updates, and translational insights shaping the future of arrhythmia care.

    8 min
  5. EP Edge Journal Watch: Critical Analysis: AQUATIC Trial — AF + CAD: Impact on Antithrombotic Strategy (NEJM October 2025)

    11/10/2025

    EP Edge Journal Watch: Critical Analysis: AQUATIC Trial — AF + CAD: Impact on Antithrombotic Strategy (NEJM October 2025)

    In this special EP Edge Journal Watch episode, Dr. Niraj Sharma delivers a critical analysis of the landmark AQUATIC Trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (October 2025). This pivotal study explores optimal antithrombotic strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease (CAD) — balancing ischemic protection with bleeding risk. Dr. Sharma dissects trial design, outcomes, and clinical implications, comparing AQUATIC with AUGUSTUS, AFIRE, and AST-Efficient trials, and provides practical insights for real-world decision-making. Stay tuned for concise, evidence-driven interpretation — where every data point translates into better patient care. EP Edge Journal Watch Podcast — From Data to Decision in Cardiac Electrophysiology.

    13 min
  6. EP Edge Journal Watch — November 2025, Edition 2: From Lifestyle to Lifeline

    11/02/2025

    EP Edge Journal Watch — November 2025, Edition 2: From Lifestyle to Lifeline

    In this episode, Dr. Niraj Sharma breaks down six pivotal studies shaping today’s electrophysiology and cardiology practice—from lifestyle-driven AF control (ARREST-AF) and post-CABG atrial fibrillation management to the DOAC + aspirin conundrum in stable CAD, the return of digitoxin in HFrEF, insights from CABANA-Substudy, and the latest ICD registry data on shock rates.

    17 min
  7. EP Edge Journal Watch | Episode 1, November 2025: Potassium and VT, GDMT Withdrawal & AF Risk Uncovered

    10/30/2025

    EP Edge Journal Watch | Episode 1, November 2025: Potassium and VT, GDMT Withdrawal & AF Risk Uncovered

    In this inaugural episode, Dr. Niraj Sharma breaks down three pivotal studies that could shift daily EP practice: How high-normal potassium targeting can reduce VT burden (POT-CAST trial).When GDMT withdrawal may be safe after recovery from tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.Why adverse pregnancy outcomes may predict long-term AF risk.Get the signal — not the noise — with expert analysis, clinical context, and practical takeaways for the EP lab.

    13 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to EP Edge Journal Watch — where cardiac electrophysiology meets evidence, precision, and perspective. Hosted by Dr. Niraj Sharma, this bi-weekly podcast distills high-impact cardiovascular and EP research into clear, clinically meaningful insights. Each episode goes beyond headlines and abstracts to uncover what new studies actually mean for patient care, decision-making, and the future of electrophysiology. What EP Edge Journal Watch stands for: Evidence-based practice Precision electrophysiology A forward-thinking, edge-driven approach to how we interpret and apply data in real-world clinical settings. Whether you’re an electrophysiologist, cardiologist, researcher, trainee, or allied health professional, EP Edge Journal Watch brings you the signal — not the noise. Expect sharp summaries, thoughtful commentary, and practical takeaways designed for the busy clinician who wants to stay ahead of the curve

Information

  • Creator
    Niraj Sharma MD FACC FHRS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Niraj Sharma MD FACC FHRS