Backtable Cardiology
BackTable Cardiology is a podcast for clinical and interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular care. This show brings together expert voices from across the field to explore the latest in cardiology—from evolving guidelines and innovative devices to real-world case discussions and multidisciplinary collaboration. BackTable Cardiology delivers practical insights and forward-thinking conversations to keep you connected and current in a rapidly changing specialty.
Episodes
Ep. 48 Understanding Transcaval Access for Cardiac Procedures with Dr. Pedro Villablanca
How can transcaval access transform options for patients with challenging vascular anatomy undergoing TAVR and other cardiac procedures? On this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews Dr. Pedro Villablanca, a structural interventionalist at Henry Ford Hospital, about the expanding role of transcaval techniques. They discuss how transcaval access leverages the
Ep. 47 Navigating Private Practice in Cardiology with Dr. Jon George
Can independent private practice offer greater efficiency, better patient care, and a more balanced physician lifestyle? On this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa talks with Dr. Jon George about his journey from academic cath lab leadership to launching an ambulatory surgery center and thriving as a solo practitioner. They discuss the business, regulatory, and clini
Ep. 46 Cardiology Procedures and Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Key Insights with Dr. Fadi Saab
What are the real-world challenges and rewards of running an ambulatory surgery center (ASC)? On this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews Dr. Fadi Saab about his transition from an outpatient-based lab (OBL) to an ASC, focusing on business, regulatory, and clinical considerations that go beyond procedural technique. They discuss how rising healthcare costs are driving
Ep. 45 Optimizing Interventional Cardiology Practice Efficiency with Dr. Craig Walker
What separates a good medical practice from one that consistently delivers exceptional patient care and retains dedicated team members? On this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Ankit Patel explores this with Dr. Craig Walker of Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Dr. Walker shares how his journey from rural Louisiana to Harvard shaped his approach to building a mission-driven, patient-cente
Ep. 44 Coronary Calcium Modification: Treating the Impossible with Dr. Kate Kearney
When should you keep pushing and when should you walk away during a tough chronic total occlusion (CTO) case with heavy coronary calcification? On this episode of BackTable Cardiology, coronary CTO expert Dr. Kate Kearney from the University of Washington joins Dr. Hady Lichaa to define what makes a coronary PCI truly complex and to break down real-world strategies for managing ambiguous, heavily
Ep. 43 Advancements in Tibial Artery Stenting & Scaffolding with Dr. Sahil Parikh
What is the emerging role of bioresorbable scaffolds in treating tibial artery disease, and how do they compare with traditional stenting and drug delivery approaches? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews interventional cardiologist Dr. Sahil Parikh at Columbia to explore the evolution of tibial artery stenting, drug-eluting technology, and the latest evidence behi
Ep. 42 Carotid Artery Stenting: Techniques, Tips, and Challenges with Dr. Navneet Sharma
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and that’s true for carotid artery stenting too. In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Hady Lichaa welcomes Dr. Navneet Sharma to discuss practical tips for carotid artery stenting, including can’t-skip pre-procedure imaging, minimizing aortic arch manipulation, and how a healthy dose of patience helps catheter advancement more than you might thin
Ep. 41 Exploring LV Pacing in TAVR Procedures with Dr. Jeff Southard
Is it time to move beyond RV pacing and rethink the future of TAVR procedures with dedicated LV pacing strategies? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Stephanie Younes talks with Dr. Jeff Southard, interventional cardiologist at UC Davis, about the evolution of left ventricular (LV) pacing and its impact on TAVR workflow. They discuss the limitations of earlier off-the-shelf LV pacing me
Ep. 40 Maximizing Success in CTO Procedures with CT Imaging with Dr. Anbukarasi Maran
Can cardiac CTA take the guesswork out of complex CTO (chronic total occlusion) procedures? In this episode of Backtable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews interventional cardiologist and CTO operator Dr. Anbukarasi Maran about how advanced CT imaging is changing the landscape of CTO PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) planning. They discuss workflow for integrating photon-counting
Ep. 39 Integrating APPs in Cardiology Clinical Practice with Hallie McNew, NP
How are advanced practice providers (APPs) helping to elevate cardiovascular care? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Sameh Sayfo, an interventional cardiologist at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas, interviews nurse practitioner Hallie McNew about her journey from bedside ICU nursing to leading roles in cardiac surgery and structural heart practice. They discuss the unique strengths APPs b
Ep. 38 Advances in PE Treatment Guidelines with Dr. Jay Giri and Dr. Trevor Cummings
Will new PE guidelines redefine risk and therapy in pulmonary embolism (PE) care? In this episode of the BackTable podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza is joined by interventional cardiologist Dr. Jay Giri and emergency physician Dr. Trevor Cummings to break down the latest changes in PE management. They discuss how multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response teams (PERT) are implementing these gui
Ep. 37 Breaking Down the New Pulmonary Embolism Guidelines with Dr. Sanjum Sethi
Are the latest pulmonary embolism guidelines changing how you risk-stratify and intervene on acute PE? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews Dr. Sanjum Sethi of Columbia University Medical Center about the evolving management of pulmonary embolism (PE) and the major updates reflected in the newest guidelines. They review the new A–E risk classification system, ke
Ep. 36 Understanding CTEPH Diagnostic & Interventional Techniques with Dr. Vladimir Lakhter
Could persistent dyspnea after a “resolved” PE be more than just deconditioning or diastolic dysfunction? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Hady Lichaa hosts interventional cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist Dr. Vladimir Lakhter, to discuss the diagnosis and management of CTEPH and chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED). They review the prevalence of CTEPH following pulmonary
Ep. 35 Interventional Cardiology Insights: A Journey with Innovations with Dr. Bill O’Neill
What do the very first TAVRs, rotational atherectomies, and angioplasty studies have in common? Dr. William O’Neill, an esteemed interventional cardiologist whose collaboration and innovation have shaped the field of interventional cardiology. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Babar Basir welcomes his mentor Dr. William O’Neill. Together, they trace the evolution of interventional
Ep. 34 Understanding Cardiac Mass Removal: Techniques Using Continuous Aspiration with Dr. Abdallah El Sabbagh
From clot to clear flow, minimally invasive aspiration devices are PAVE-ing the way for safer treatment of endocarditis and cardiac masses. In this BackTable Cardiology episode, host Dr. Hady Lichaa sits down with Dr. Abdallah El Sabbagh to discuss percutaneous continuous-flow aspiration for right- and select left-sided endocarditis and cardiac masses.
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Ep. 33 CLTI: Lithotripsy and Endovascular Techniques for Below the Knee Interventions with Dr. Paul Foley
Below-the-knee (BTK) arterial disease remains one of the more challenging areas in vascular care, particularly in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), where heavy calcification complicates endovascular treatment. As new calcium-modifying technologies emerge, an important question remains: what evidence supports their use in BTK interventions? In this episode of BackTable Vascula
Ep. 32 Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: Optimizing Diagnosis & Management with Dr. Samit Shah
Small vessels can have a major impact. Are you missing the hidden culprit of chest pain? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa welcomes Yale Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Samit Shah to discuss Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD) and Angina with No Obstructive Coronary Arteries (ANOCA). Their discussion demonstrates how coronary function testing turns a historically v
BackTable Brief: COSIRA II: Coronary Sinus Reducer: A Tool in Angina Care with Dr. Jai Khatri
Summary
This week, the coronary sinus isn’t the only thing getting reduced! Dr. Jai Khatri and Dr. Ziad Ali join this BackTable Brief to share strategies for reducing enrollment barriers for the COSIRA II coronary sinus reducer trial. They discuss refractory angina, emerging evidence for microvascular angina, and strategies to help patients achieve stable medical therapy and avoid resetting tri
BackTable Brief: COSIRA II: Managing Refractory Angina in Clinical Practice with Dr. Jai Khatri
Coronary sinus reducers: the hourglass-shaped stents that might be able to take patients back to angina-free times. In this BackTable Cardiology Brief, Dr. Jai Khatri and Dr. Ziad Ali discuss patient selection, treatment algorithms, and recent, clinical-trial backed technology for treating diffuse, multi-vessel atherosclerotic disease. They emphasize staged PCI, careful counseling, and setting rea
Ep. 31 Advancements in Carotid Stenting with Dr. Adnan Siddiqui
Clean lumen club! This week, BackTable meets you at the carotid bifurcation to discuss all things carotid angioplasty and stenting. Interventional neuroradiologist and cerebrovascular surgeon Dr. Adnan Siddiqui, Vice Chairman of the University of Buffalo’s Department of Neurosurgery, joins host Dr. Sameh Sayfo to discuss the evolution and current state of carotid disease treatment.
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Ep. 30 ECMO for Cardiologists: Practical Insights & Management with Dr. Allison Dupont
Understanding when to use extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (and how) can be extra complex, but knowing the intricacies of ECMO is key to using it effectively. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Hady Lichaa sits down with Dr. Allison Dupont to approach ECMO in a practical, clinically relevant way. They cover the fundamentals, including VV versus VA ECMO, circuit components, and key set
Ep. 29 Radial Access for Peripheral Interventions: Techniques & Considerations with Dr. Shailendra Singh
Radial roots, peripheral reach! Radial to peripheral (R2P) access is the focus of this week’s episode with interventional cardiologist Dr. Shailendra Singh (Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute) and dual hosts Hady Lichaa and Sameh Sayfo. The conversation focuses on key techniques, pre-procedure planning and imaging, and ideal case selection for those new to the R2P approach.
Ep. 28 Understanding Manual and Mechanical Coronary Thrombectomy in Practice with Dr. Andrew Goldsweig
TAPAS, TASTE, TOTAL. These are the names of clinical trials that re-evaluated the use of manual aspiration thrombectomy in STEMI. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo interviews Dr. Andrew Goldsweig, Director of Cardiovascular Clinical Research at Baystate Medical Center and Chair of the SCAI Standards and Guidelines Committee, about coronary thrombectomy in contemporary P
Ep. 27 Enhancing Cardiology Practice Through Radiation Protection with Dr. Bob Foster
What do all image-guided interventionalists and surgeons have in common? Over time, the radiation exposure and the weight of lead begin to take a toll, often in ways no one talks about until it’s too late. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Hady Lichaa sits down with Dr. Bob Foster, interventional cardiologist and Chief Medical Officer of Rampart IC, for a candid conversation about
Ep. 26 Renal Denervation: Innovations in Hypertension Management with Dr. Eric Secemsky
John Doe is a 45 year-old male with a past medical history of hypertension, on high doses of amlodipine, metoprolol and lisinopril presenting to his cardiologist with a blood pressure of 165/86. He asks, “If the medications are not controlling my blood pressure, what are my options?” In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Sameh Sayfo sits down with Dr. Eric Secemsky, an internati
Ep. 25 IVL & Atherectomy: Techniques for Complex PCI with Dr. Yousif Ahmad
How do imaging, intravascular lithotripsy, and equipment selection come together to effectively target coronary calcium? In this episode of BackTable, interventional cardiologists Dr. Robert Riley (Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington) and Dr. Yousif Ahmad (UCSF) trade techniques and discuss various aspects of calcium modification in complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
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Ep. 24 Mitigating Orthopedic Strain and Radiation Effects: Best Practices in the Cath Lab with Dr. Sahil Parikh
This is a friendly reminder to unclench your jaw, sit up straight, and take a deep breath before diving into the latest episode of BackTable Cardiology! Host Dr. Sameh Sayfo from Baylor Scott & White Health speaks with Dr. Sahil Parikh, a renowned interventional cardiologist from Columbia University, about the health of interventional cardiologists. They discuss the various occupational hazards in
Ep. 23 Understanding DEB in Coronary Interventions: Techniques & Outcomes with Dr. Mohammad Alkhalil and Dr. Abhishek Kumar
Are drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) the best way to treat in-stent restenosis? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host and interventional cardiologist Dr. Sameh Sayfo takes a closer look at the evolving applications of coronary DEBs with two esteemed guests from the UK, Dr. Mohammad Alkhalil and Dr. Abhishek Kumar.
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SYNPOSIS
This conversation covers the history and application of DEBs in
Ep. 22 The Role of Cangrelor in Modern Interventional Cardiology: Practice, Guidelines, & Data Review with Dr. Roxana Mehran
Fast acting and reversible: IV cangrelor offers rapid on, rapid off P2Y12 platelet inhibition that sidesteps oral absorption delays. In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo welcomes renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Roxana Mehran, incoming President elect of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), to discuss the emerging role of cangrelor and its implicat
Ep. 21 Current HFpEF Treatments: Clinical Pearls & Progress with Dr. Jessica Huston
If your New Year’s resolution involves learning more about current practice guidelines and emerging research on Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), you’re in the right place! In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa welcomes heart failure specialist Dr. Jessica Huston to provide a practical update on managing heart failure with preserved ejectio
Ep. 20 System Innovations in Medical Practice with Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli
Clinicians play a central role in shaping cardiovascular innovation, yet many lack a clear pathway to participate. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Sameh Sayfo speaks with Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli, cardiologist and Chair of Research and Innovation at the Mayo Clinic, about practical approaches for clinician involvement in healthcare innovation and strategies to address persistent gaps in c
Ep. 19 Intravenous Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome with Dr. Hayder Hashim
Preventing problems before they aggregate, P2Y12 inhibitor style! In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, interventional cardiologist from MedStar Washington Hospital Center joins host Dr. Hady Lichaa for practical insights and key takeaways on antiplatelet use in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).---This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Cheisi.---SYNPOSISD
Ep. 18 The Role of Minimally Invasive Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Modern Cardiology Practice with Dr. Amber Edwards
From sternotomy to software, the booming field of robotic cardiac surgery is bringing new minimally invasive treatment approaches to well-traveled cardiology conditions. This week on the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Amber Edwards, a distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon from Ascension St. Thomas in Nashville, shares her expertise in robotic cardiac surgery with host and Tennessee neighbor Dr.
Ep. 17 Update in Intravascular Imaging for Optimal PCI with Dr. Erik Rafflenbeul
Intravascular imaging can provide invaluable intel on the coronaries, with OCT supplying bright ideas and IVUS giving sound judgement. Light-based and soundwave-based, respectively, mastery of these two imaging modalities can help you streamline routine PCI cases and overcome challenging ones. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, the esteemed Dr. Erik Rafflenbeul from Schön Klinik in Hamburg,
Ep. 16 The Evolution of TAVR: Historical Insights & Future Innovations with Dr. Michael Mack
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be a standard cardiac procedure today, but its origin story follows an intriguing tale of courage, innovation and heart. In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Michael Mack, a global leader in structural heart disease from Baylor Scott White Health, shares the history of TAVR, highlighting its origins, key clin
Ep. 15 Evolving Approaches in PE Management with Dr. Sabah Butty
When there's something strange in your vasculature, who are you going to call? Clot busters! In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional cardiologist Dr. Sameh Sayfo hosts interventional radiologist Dr. Sabah Butty from Indiana University to discuss contemporary interventional approaches to pulmonary embolism (PE).
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This podcast is supported by:
Angiodynamicshttps://www.angiodyn
Ep. 14 COSIRA II: Refractory Angina Challenges & Treatment Strategies with Dr. Jai Khatri and Dr. Ziad Ali
Sham-controlled, randomized, and double-blind: the COSIRA II trial has the makings to make big waves in the management of refractory angina. This week’s episode features two interventionalists that are well-versed in coronary sinus reducers and the trials investigating them. Dr. Ziad Ali, from St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center in New York, and Dr. Jai Khatri, with Weill Cornell Medicine, join
Ep. 13 Percutaneous Tricuspid Interventions: Repair & Replacement Approaches with Dr. Joe Walsh and Dr. Aidan Raney
Tricuspid valve repair has seen booming growth in the interventional arena in the last five years, and the trajectory is only up from here. In this episode, interventional cardiologists Dr. Joe Walsh and Dr. Aiden Raney share their wealth of insights and experiences with the latest advancements in tricuspid interventions.
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SYNPOSIS
The conversation covers recent landmark trials, relevant tri
Ep. 12 The State of Coronary DEB Technology in the USA with Dr. Ron Waksman
Coronary drug-eluting balloon technology continues to evolve, but has its utilization been stunted by stenting? In this episode, Dr. Sameh Sayfo, an interventional cardiologist, hosts Dr. Ron Waksman, an internationally recognized cardiologist and scientist, to discuss advancements in coronary interventions and the age-old question of which coronary revascularization tools to use in which clinical
Ep. 11 PERT Consortium Recap: New Developments in PE with Dr. Jonathan Paul and Dr. Osman Ahmed
PERT Consortium 2025 gives interventionalists the reins to tackle even the toughest saddle pulmonary embolisms. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Aaron Fritts welcomes interventional radiologist Dr. Osman Ahmed and interventional cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Paul to discuss their experiences at the annual PERT Consortium in San Diego, and offer their perspectives on the latest develo
Ep. 10 Intracardiac Echocardiography in Structural Heart Disease with Dr. Karim Al-Azizi
Real intracardiac echo cases, real-time developments! In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo is joined by Dr. Karim Al-Azizi, a structural interventional cardiologist at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital Plano. Together, they explore the evolving role of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) through three real cases of ICE use in structural heart interventions. Join as they
Ep. 9 Coronary Atherectomy: Indications, Techniques & Device Selection with Dr. Wissam Jaber
What coronary device do you reach for when a blockage won’t budge? In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Wissam Jaber from Emory University Hospital joins host Dr. Hady Lichaa to discuss the intricacies of coronary atherectomy, outlining the differences between rotational and orbital atherectomy, their indications, and their technical nuances.---SYNPOSISDr. Jaber shares his expe
Ep. 8 Low Contrast PCI: Techniques to Reduce CIN Risk with Dr. Evan Shlofmitz
Ballin’ on a contrast budget! In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Evan Shlofmitz outlines how utilizing imaging and physiology get you the most bang for your buck when performing low contrast PCI for patients with renal impairment.---SYNPOSISDr. Shlofmitz, co-director of Optimize PCI (OPCI) and a leading expert in intravascular imaging and physiology from St. Francis Hospital, New York, j
Ep. 7 Bifurcation Interventions: Techniques and Strategies with Dr. Mirvat Alasnag
Reporting from inside the cath lab: advanced PCI techniques, cutting-edge imaging, and the future of interventional cardiology! In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Sameh Sayfo hosts Dr. Mirvat Alasnag, the director of research at the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia to discuss various coronary bifurcation intervention strategies, i
Ep. 6 Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices (pVADs) with Dr. Babar Basir
It’s no shock that percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) play an important role in improving cardiogenic shock outcomes (pun intended). In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Sameh Sayfo interviews Dr. Babar Basir, a renowned interventional cardiologist from Michigan, about advancements and protocols in managing cardiogenic shock.
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Babar Basir de
Ep. 5 Calcium Modification in Coronary Artery Disease: IVL or Atherectomy? with Dr. Yader Sandoval
Calcium belongs in the bones, not the blood vessels! But once it’s there, how can interventional cardiologists use their skills and tools to combat it? In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, host Dr. Hady Lichaa interviews Dr. Yader Sandoval from the Minneapolis Heart Institute about handling coronary calcification.
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Sandoval shares insights into the challenges of
Ep. 4 Techniques for Effective Vessel Prep with Dr. Jay Mathews and Dr. Michael Siah
The toolbox for vessel preparation is rapidly expanding. Are you keeping up? In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand is joined by Dr. Jay Mathews, interventional cardiologist (Manatee Memorial Hospital) and Dr. Michael Siah, vascular surgeon (UT Southwestern), to explore the latest innovations and strategies in vessel prep.
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This podcast is supported by:
Cagent Vascularhttps://cagentvascular.
Ep. 3 Navigating Coronary Tortuosity in Complex Interventions with Dr. Alex Truesdell
How do you navigate tortuous coronary vasculature? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Hady Lichaa hosts Dr. Alexander Truesdell, an interventional cardiologist with extensive experience in overcoming complex cases of vessel tortuosity.
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SYNPOSIS
Beginning with Dr. Truesdell’s background and expertise, the discussion delves into best practices for evaluating and navigating tortuous
Ep. 2 Cardiogenic Shock Management: Latest Strategies and Innovations with Dr. Amir Kaki
In 2024, the DanGer Shock trial changed cardiogenic shock guidelines and affected practice patterns internationally. This episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast explores tips, tricks, and best practices in utilizing Impella, ECMO, and national initiatives to most effectively treat patients with cardiogenic shock. Host Dr. Sameh Sayfo interviews Dr. Amir Kaki, a noted interventional cardiologi
Ep. 1 Large Bore Access: Tools, Techniques, and Tips with Dr. Jason Wollmuth
What are the biggest challenges in large bore access and closure? In our inaugural episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Hady Lichaa hosts Dr. Jason Wollmuth, an interventional cardiologist renowned for his expertise in large bore access techniques.
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Wollmuth shares his journey in interventional cardiology, detailing his early experiences managing complex PCI cases an
Introducing Backtable Cardiology
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