As the Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Samin K. Sharma has transformed their cath lab into one of New York's premier centers for cardiac care. His expertise extends beyond coronary interventions to the non-surgical treatment of heart valve diseases, amongst others. Dr. Sharma is also committed to teaching the next generation of cardiologists worldwide as the founder of the CCC Symposium and CCC Live. He also started the Eternal Heart Care Center in his hometown of Jaipur, India, and his contributions to medicine have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.
Just out of fellowship, was there a therapy area or a subject matter that you wish you had more experience in?
I did my fellowship in '89, '90. Since then, many devices have come and gone. One standout for me was DCA (Directional Coronary Atherectomy). It was a major leap in plaque removal. We also had another device around the same time that was used for extracting the thrombus from vein grafts. But this sort of technology has become obsolete now.
What was really outstanding, which I mastered very quickly by '94, is rotational atherectomy – a technology that’s still relevant nearly three decades later. I didn’t invent this device, but I did master its various aspects early on.
During fellowship, we didn’t have access to stents. Our tools were the excimer laser and balloons, including the perfusion balloon. DCA was introduced in '91, followed by rotational atherectomy in '93, the Gianturco-Roubin Stent in '92, and the Palmaz stent in '94.
Although I wasn’t trained in rotational atherectomy or DCA during my fellowship, I learned and mastered these techniques as an attending. For DCA, I traveled to various countries in the world – Japan, Indonesia, Bangkok, and India – to teach this method.
Unfortunately, DCA faded out due to its long-term inefficacy and large sheath requirement. Yet, rotational atherectomy remains a significant part of my practice, allowing me to tackle almost any lesion with utmost safety.
Our field continues to evolve and change. We now have many alternatives like drug-coated balloons and devices for chronic total occlusion (CTO). The introduction of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been a game-changer. Though it has its limitations, IVL is crucial for trainees and gives them the confidence to handle calcific lesions without having to worry about atherectomy. Nonetheless, atherectomy is still essential in some cases.
In sum, it's a constant work in progress in our field. But if I had to pick one technique that I'm particularly fond of, it's definitely rotational atherectomy.
Research has been your forte. What advice would you give younger physicians about clinical work, or collaborative research with other colleagues?
I have two pieces of advice for young cardiologists or interventional cardiologists. First, you have to be sincere and dedicated to your work. No cutting corners. You develop a technique and keep refining it over and over. For example, in bifurcation, rather than trying various methods, concentrate on mastering one primary bailout technique.
We aren’t research scientists, but clinical scientists who are involved in research – which keeps you intellectually stimulated and helps you find answers. Sometimes the answer may not be what you expect, or even like. But doing a trial is the only way to know. That’s why you have to get involved. However, it’s also important not to overextend yourself. Instead of doing ten trials, choose one or two to fully commit to.
If you find yourself doubting the trial’s success, then, of course, you step back. I remember a stent trial where patients were coming back within three to four months with issues. I said, “That's not going to work. We're not enrolling cases anymore.”
Ultimately, the research is important for the societal benefit. I encourage everyone to dedicate some time to this, as it fuels mental curiosity, which is key. Always stay inquisitive and connected to the field. And if you enroll a lot of patients and do a great job, you'll keep getting the opportunity to do more and more clinical research.
Reflecting on the numerous relationships you’ve built throughout your career, including successful collaborations with governments and a myriad of accomplishments, what advice would you give to someone younger in their career about networking?
My advice is pretty simple – and I emphasize this even to my son, who's also a cardiologist. Do not get boxed by a company. You can give lectures, but don’t be on anybody’s advisory board. It taints your name because we aren’t supposed to promote just one technique, and doing so can cast doubt on your objectivity. People start taking your advice with a grain of salt, questioning its scientific basis.
I remember in the early '90s, when I was growing within the interventional field, companies would often give me a set of lectures. I always insisted on tailoring the content myself. They could suggest a topic, like stent procedures or high-risk interventions, but I would use my own slides, or put my thought process into their slides.
That’s what it takes to build trust with your audience. They know it when you’re speaking from a place of genuine knowledge and interest, not personal gain. Yes, giving lectures puts you in the spotlight, but staying committed to science over product promotion has always been my goal. To this day, I'm not on any advisory boards, nor do I own stocks in related companies, despite many offers.
Many of my peers take pride in being on multiple advisory boards, and that's a different approach altogether. I have my own perspective. You’ll make a name if you dully perform your duties. You don’t need a drug company to get there. It's true that new products come along, and part of our job is to showcase them.
However, the focus of these workshops is broader – we discuss the entire lesion treatment algorithm, incorporating various technologies like rotablation, IVL, orbital atherectomy, and the scoring balloon. The critical point here is that while it's necessary to develop relationships within the industry, these connections must remain impartial and unbiased. That’s how you build true goodwill and earn the respect of your colleagues and the community.
As the Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Samin K. Sharma has transformed their cath lab into one of New York's premier centers for cardiac care. His expertise extends beyond coronary interventions to the non-surgical treatment of heart valve diseases, amongst others. Dr. Sharma is also committed to teaching the next generation of cardiologists worldwide as the founder of the CCC Symposium and CCC Live. He also started the Eternal Heart Care Center in his hometown of Jaipur, India, and his contributions to medicine have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.
Just out of fellowship, was there a therapy area or a subject matter that you wish you had more experience in?
I did my fellowship in '89, '90. Since then, many devices have come and gone. One standout for me was DCA (Directional Coronary Atherectomy). It was a major leap in plaque removal. We also had another device around the same time that was used for extracting the thrombus from vein grafts. But this sort of technology has become obsolete now.
What was really outstanding, which I mastered very quickly by '94, is rotational atherectomy – a technology that’s still relevant nearly three decades later. I didn’t invent this device, but I did master its various aspects early on.
During fellowship, we didn’t have access to stents. Our tools were the excimer laser and balloons, including the perfusion balloon. DCA was introduced in '91, followed by rotational atherectomy in '93, the Gianturco-Roubin Stent in '92, and the Palmaz stent in '94.
Although I wasn’t trained in rotational atherectomy or DCA during my fellowship, I learned and mastered these techniques as an attending. For DCA, I traveled to various countries in the world – Japan, Indonesia, Bangkok, and India – to teach this method.
Unfortunately, DCA faded out due to its long-term inefficacy and large sheath requirement. Yet, rotational atherectomy remains a significant part of my practice, allowing me to tackle almost any lesion with utmost safety.
Our field continues to evolve and change. We now have many alternatives like drug-coated balloons and devices for chronic total occlusion (CTO). The introduction of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been a game-changer. Though it has its limitations, IVL is crucial for trainees and gives them the confidence to handle calcific lesions without having to worry about atherectomy. Nonetheless, atherectomy is still essential in some cases.
In sum, it's a constant work in progress in our field. But if I had to pick one technique that I'm particularly fond of, it's definitely rotational atherectomy.
Research has been your forte. What advice would you give younger physicians about clinical work, or collaborative research with other colleagues?
I have two pieces of advice for young cardiologists or interventional cardiologists. First, you have to be sincere and dedicated to your work. No cutting corners. You develop a technique and keep refining it over and over. For example, in bifurcation, rather than trying various methods, concentrate on mastering one primary bailout technique.
We aren’t research scientists, but clinical scientists who are involved in research – which keeps you intellectually stimulated and helps you find answers. Sometimes the answer may not be what you expect, or even like. But doing a trial is the only way to know. That’s why you have to get involved. However, it’s also important not to overextend yourself. Instead of doing ten trials, choose one or two to fully commit to.
If you find yourself doubting the trial’s success, then, of course, you step back. I remember a stent trial where patients were coming back within three to four months with issues. I said, “That's not going to work. We're not enrolling cases anymore.”
Ultimately, the research is important for the societal benefit. I encourage everyone to dedicate some time to this, as it fuels mental curiosity, which is key. Always stay inquisitive and connected to the field. And if you enroll a lot of patients and do a great job, you'll keep getting the opportunity to do more and more clinical research.
Reflecting on the numerous relationships you’ve built throughout your career, including successful collaborations with governments and a myriad of accomplishments, what advice would you give to someone younger in their career about networking?
My advice is pretty simple – and I emphasize this even to my son, who's also a cardiologist. Do not get boxed by a company. You can give lectures, but don’t be on anybody’s advisory board. It taints your name because we aren’t supposed to promote just one technique, and doing so can cast doubt on your objectivity. People start taking your advice with a grain of salt, questioning its scientific basis.
I remember in the early '90s, when I was growing within the interventional field, companies would often give me a set of lectures. I always insisted on tailoring the content myself. They could suggest a topic, like stent procedures or high-risk interventions, but I would use my own slides, or put my thought process into their slides.
That’s what it takes to build trust with your audience. They know it when you’re speaking from a place of genuine knowledge and interest, not personal gain. Yes, giving lectures puts you in the spotlight, but staying committed to science over product promotion has always been my goal. To this day, I'm not on any advisory boards, nor do I own stocks in related companies, despite many offers.
Many of my peers take pride in being on multiple advisory boards, and that's a different approach altogether. I have my own perspective. You’ll make a name if you dully perform your duties. You don’t need a drug company to get there. It's true that new products come along, and part of our job is to showcase them.
However, the focus of these workshops is broader – we discuss the entire lesion treatment algorithm, incorporating various technologies like rotablation, IVL, orbital atherectomy, and the scoring balloon. The critical point here is that while it's necessary to develop relationships within the industry, these connections must remain impartial and unbiased. That’s how you build true goodwill and earn the respect of your colleagues and the community.
As the Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Samin K. Sharma has transformed their cath lab into one of New York's premier centers for cardiac care. His expertise extends beyond coronary interventions to the non-surgical treatment of heart valve diseases, amongst others. Dr. Sharma is also committed to teaching the next generation of cardiologists worldwide as the founder of the CCC Symposium and CCC Live. He also started the Eternal Heart Care Center in his hometown of Jaipur, India, and his contributions to medicine have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.
Just out of fellowship, was there a therapy area or a subject matter that you wish you had more experience in?
I did my fellowship in '89, '90. Since then, many devices have come and gone. One standout for me was DCA (Directional Coronary Atherectomy). It was a major leap in plaque removal. We also had another device around the same time that was used for extracting the thrombus from vein grafts. But this sort of technology has become obsolete now.
What was really outstanding, which I mastered very quickly by '94, is rotational atherectomy – a technology that’s still relevant nearly three decades later. I didn’t invent this device, but I did master its various aspects early on.
During fellowship, we didn’t have access to stents. Our tools were the excimer laser and balloons, including the perfusion balloon. DCA was introduced in '91, followed by rotational atherectomy in '93, the Gianturco-Roubin Stent in '92, and the Palmaz stent in '94.
Although I wasn’t trained in rotational atherectomy or DCA during my fellowship, I learned and mastered these techniques as an attending. For DCA, I traveled to various countries in the world – Japan, Indonesia, Bangkok, and India – to teach this method.
Unfortunately, DCA faded out due to its long-term inefficacy and large sheath requirement. Yet, rotational atherectomy remains a significant part of my practice, allowing me to tackle almost any lesion with utmost safety.
Our field continues to evolve and change. We now have many alternatives like drug-coated balloons and devices for chronic total occlusion (CTO). The introduction of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been a game-changer. Though it has its limitations, IVL is crucial for trainees and gives them the confidence to handle calcific lesions without having to worry about atherectomy. Nonetheless, atherectomy is still essential in some cases.
In sum, it's a constant work in progress in our field. But if I had to pick one technique that I'm particularly fond of, it's definitely rotational atherectomy.
Research has been your forte. What advice would you give younger physicians about clinical work, or collaborative research with other colleagues?
I have two pieces of advice for young cardiologists or interventional cardiologists. First, you have to be sincere and dedicated to your work. No cutting corners. You develop a technique and keep refining it over and over. For example, in bifurcation, rather than trying various methods, concentrate on mastering one primary bailout technique.
We aren’t research scientists, but clinical scientists who are involved in research – which keeps you intellectually stimulated and helps you find answers. Sometimes the answer may not be what you expect, or even like. But doing a trial is the only way to know. That’s why you have to get involved. However, it’s also important not to overextend yourself. Instead of doing ten trials, choose one or two to fully commit to.
If you find yourself doubting the trial’s success, then, of course, you step back. I remember a stent trial where patients were coming back within three to four months with issues. I said, “That's not going to work. We're not enrolling cases anymore.”
Ultimately, the research is important for the societal benefit. I encourage everyone to dedicate some time to this, as it fuels mental curiosity, which is key. Always stay inquisitive and connected to the field. And if you enroll a lot of patients and do a great job, you'll keep getting the opportunity to do more and more clinical research.
Reflecting on the numerous relationships you’ve built throughout your career, including successful collaborations with governments and a myriad of accomplishments, what advice would you give to someone younger in their career about networking?
My advice is pretty simple – and I emphasize this even to my son, who's also a cardiologist. Do not get boxed by a company. You can give lectures, but don’t be on anybody’s advisory board. It taints your name because we aren’t supposed to promote just one technique, and doing so can cast doubt on your objectivity. People start taking your advice with a grain of salt, questioning its scientific basis.
I remember in the early '90s, when I was growing within the interventional field, companies would often give me a set of lectures. I always insisted on tailoring the content myself. They could suggest a topic, like stent procedures or high-risk interventions, but I would use my own slides, or put my thought process into their slides.
That’s what it takes to build trust with your audience. They know it when you’re speaking from a place of genuine knowledge and interest, not personal gain. Yes, giving lectures puts you in the spotlight, but staying committed to science over product promotion has always been my goal. To this day, I'm not on any advisory boards, nor do I own stocks in related companies, despite many offers.
Many of my peers take pride in being on multiple advisory boards, and that's a different approach altogether. I have my own perspective. You’ll make a name if you dully perform your duties. You don’t need a drug company to get there. It's true that new products come along, and part of our job is to showcase them.
However, the focus of these workshops is broader – we discuss the entire lesion treatment algorithm, incorporating various technologies like rotablation, IVL, orbital atherectomy, and the scoring balloon. The critical point here is that while it's necessary to develop relationships within the industry, these connections must remain impartial and unbiased. That’s how you build true goodwill and earn the respect of your colleagues and the community.
Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
Delivered straight to your inbox. Completely free. No spam.
Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
Delivered straight to your inbox. Completely free. No spam.
Fun, Insightful Interviews with the
World's Brightest Physicians
Delivered straight to your inbox. Completely free. No spam.
Do you have any tips or advice for improving presentation skills for those earlier in their careers who aspire to present data on stage but aren't quite confident yet?
Here’s what I recommend – whether you are a nurse, technician, or new faculty – you have to rehearse. Especially if there’s a time limit for the presentation, which is increasingly common. Now, you might find that after 8 or 10 minutes, your slides simply go blank. If you haven't reached your key points by then, you're left to verbally summarize them without the slides. Your most crucial slide can't be the one that disappears when time runs out.
Start by rehearsing your presentation alone in front of the mirror, using a stopwatch to keep track of timing. This is something I still do. You should never present when you are not ready.
After you've practiced on your own, the next step is to rehearse in front of a colleague, preferably someone who doesn't intimidate you. This could be a junior colleague, or maybe a nurse or tech. But also, ask them to ask you questions. This helps build confidence. It’s important to not only have a well-prepared presentation but also to be ready for any questions that might come up. So think about a few common questions and have your answers ready.
What advice would you give your son, an interventional cardiologist, exploring practice options, in order to find the best fit?
Things have changed a lot. Nowadays, I advise against going into private practice. It’s better to be part of an academic hospital or even a non-academic hospital setting. The reason is, in private practice, there's a lot of overhead and time consumed in managing the business side of things. Overhead costs in many practices can reach around 50%, including employee costs and the approval processes.
For the past five or six years, I've been advising those interested in private practice to reconsider. Starting an individual practice, especially a solo one, is unwise. If you insist on joining a group, whether you’re an interventional cardiologist, cardiographer, or electrophysiologist, make sure your specialty is not there and that they have the volume.
Hospitals, both academic and non-academic, generally offer good compensation, which is often RVU (Relative Value Unit) dependent. This means your pay is based on the amount of work you do multiplied by a dollar rate per RVU. Such a structure offers flexibility, which is especially advantageous for those who may want to work fewer hours, such as people planning for a family.
Today, the majority of cardiology practices are hospital-owned. However, there’s been a recent trend towards independence, with some cardiologists opening outpatient labs and ambulatory surgery centers for more autonomy and potentially higher earnings. This can significantly increase your income, but it’s usually a move for later in one’s career.
Considering all these aspects, I recommend steering clear of private practice, particularly solo practice, and instead looking for opportunities in a hospital setting. Academia might offer a lower salary, but it's an environment that fosters growth and can open up a lot of doors. So, the choice between an academic and a non-academic environment boils down to personal goals and preferences.
Let’s get to some fun, rapid-fire questions. First, do you listen to music during your cases?
No, but I'm a music listener when I do my exercise. I'm very much against any music in the cath lab. And it’s very important.
I know a lot of people listen to music. I know a few who have to have music playing while they're doing surgery. For me, it’s distracting.
Now, when it comes to my exercise routine, that's a whole other story. No matter how late it is, even if I get home at 11 or 11:30 pm, I’m on my elliptical for about 30 to 35 minutes with Indian music playing. It really keeps me motivated and energized. But in the cath lab, it's a strict no-music zone.
Any movies that you love?
I love Indian movies. I prefer watching them in theaters rather than on Netflix. At least twice a month, I go to see a movie.
Are there any research or upcoming talks that you want to raise awareness for?
There are two. First is the better management of calcific lesions, which is a major issue. It’s crucial to combine techniques to avoid complications like perforation. Incorporating intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) as a default strategy is a part of this, although sometimes it's necessary to combine it with atherectomy. So, raising awareness about the handling of calcific lesions is vital.
The second is managing CHIP, or complex, high-risk patients, particularly those with low ejection fractions. With new devices coming out – like Impella, Magenta, and many others – it’s important to understand how to use them effectively to achieve good short-term results, which hopefully translates into long-term benefits. The Protect IV trial is a good example of this. It compares complex cases using Impella versus standard therapy, where the latter often involves a balloon pump – used in about 90% of cases.
Do you have any tips or advice for improving presentation skills for those earlier in their careers who aspire to present data on stage but aren't quite confident yet?
Here’s what I recommend – whether you are a nurse, technician, or new faculty – you have to rehearse. Especially if there’s a time limit for the presentation, which is increasingly common. Now, you might find that after 8 or 10 minutes, your slides simply go blank. If you haven't reached your key points by then, you're left to verbally summarize them without the slides. Your most crucial slide can't be the one that disappears when time runs out.
Start by rehearsing your presentation alone in front of the mirror, using a stopwatch to keep track of timing. This is something I still do. You should never present when you are not ready.
After you've practiced on your own, the next step is to rehearse in front of a colleague, preferably someone who doesn't intimidate you. This could be a junior colleague, or maybe a nurse or tech. But also, ask them to ask you questions. This helps build confidence. It’s important to not only have a well-prepared presentation but also to be ready for any questions that might come up. So think about a few common questions and have your answers ready.
What advice would you give your son, an interventional cardiologist, exploring practice options, in order to find the best fit?
Things have changed a lot. Nowadays, I advise against going into private practice. It’s better to be part of an academic hospital or even a non-academic hospital setting. The reason is, in private practice, there's a lot of overhead and time consumed in managing the business side of things. Overhead costs in many practices can reach around 50%, including employee costs and the approval processes.
For the past five or six years, I've been advising those interested in private practice to reconsider. Starting an individual practice, especially a solo one, is unwise. If you insist on joining a group, whether you’re an interventional cardiologist, cardiographer, or electrophysiologist, make sure your specialty is not there and that they have the volume.
Hospitals, both academic and non-academic, generally offer good compensation, which is often RVU (Relative Value Unit) dependent. This means your pay is based on the amount of work you do multiplied by a dollar rate per RVU. Such a structure offers flexibility, which is especially advantageous for those who may want to work fewer hours, such as people planning for a family.
Today, the majority of cardiology practices are hospital-owned. However, there’s been a recent trend towards independence, with some cardiologists opening outpatient labs and ambulatory surgery centers for more autonomy and potentially higher earnings. This can significantly increase your income, but it’s usually a move for later in one’s career.
Considering all these aspects, I recommend steering clear of private practice, particularly solo practice, and instead looking for opportunities in a hospital setting. Academia might offer a lower salary, but it's an environment that fosters growth and can open up a lot of doors. So, the choice between an academic and a non-academic environment boils down to personal goals and preferences.
Let’s get to some fun, rapid-fire questions. First, do you listen to music during your cases?
No, but I'm a music listener when I do my exercise. I'm very much against any music in the cath lab. And it’s very important.
I know a lot of people listen to music. I know a few who have to have music playing while they're doing surgery. For me, it’s distracting.
Now, when it comes to my exercise routine, that's a whole other story. No matter how late it is, even if I get home at 11 or 11:30 pm, I’m on my elliptical for about 30 to 35 minutes with Indian music playing. It really keeps me motivated and energized. But in the cath lab, it's a strict no-music zone.
Any movies that you love?
I love Indian movies. I prefer watching them in theaters rather than on Netflix. At least twice a month, I go to see a movie.
Are there any research or upcoming talks that you want to raise awareness for?
There are two. First is the better management of calcific lesions, which is a major issue. It’s crucial to combine techniques to avoid complications like perforation. Incorporating intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) as a default strategy is a part of this, although sometimes it's necessary to combine it with atherectomy. So, raising awareness about the handling of calcific lesions is vital.
The second is managing CHIP, or complex, high-risk patients, particularly those with low ejection fractions. With new devices coming out – like Impella, Magenta, and many others – it’s important to understand how to use them effectively to achieve good short-term results, which hopefully translates into long-term benefits. The Protect IV trial is a good example of this. It compares complex cases using Impella versus standard therapy, where the latter often involves a balloon pump – used in about 90% of cases.
Do you have any tips or advice for improving presentation skills for those earlier in their careers who aspire to present data on stage but aren't quite confident yet?
Here’s what I recommend – whether you are a nurse, technician, or new faculty – you have to rehearse. Especially if there’s a time limit for the presentation, which is increasingly common. Now, you might find that after 8 or 10 minutes, your slides simply go blank. If you haven't reached your key points by then, you're left to verbally summarize them without the slides. Your most crucial slide can't be the one that disappears when time runs out.
Start by rehearsing your presentation alone in front of the mirror, using a stopwatch to keep track of timing. This is something I still do. You should never present when you are not ready.
After you've practiced on your own, the next step is to rehearse in front of a colleague, preferably someone who doesn't intimidate you. This could be a junior colleague, or maybe a nurse or tech. But also, ask them to ask you questions. This helps build confidence. It’s important to not only have a well-prepared presentation but also to be ready for any questions that might come up. So think about a few common questions and have your answers ready.
What advice would you give your son, an interventional cardiologist, exploring practice options, in order to find the best fit?
Things have changed a lot. Nowadays, I advise against going into private practice. It’s better to be part of an academic hospital or even a non-academic hospital setting. The reason is, in private practice, there's a lot of overhead and time consumed in managing the business side of things. Overhead costs in many practices can reach around 50%, including employee costs and the approval processes.
For the past five or six years, I've been advising those interested in private practice to reconsider. Starting an individual practice, especially a solo one, is unwise. If you insist on joining a group, whether you’re an interventional cardiologist, cardiographer, or electrophysiologist, make sure your specialty is not there and that they have the volume.
Hospitals, both academic and non-academic, generally offer good compensation, which is often RVU (Relative Value Unit) dependent. This means your pay is based on the amount of work you do multiplied by a dollar rate per RVU. Such a structure offers flexibility, which is especially advantageous for those who may want to work fewer hours, such as people planning for a family.
Today, the majority of cardiology practices are hospital-owned. However, there’s been a recent trend towards independence, with some cardiologists opening outpatient labs and ambulatory surgery centers for more autonomy and potentially higher earnings. This can significantly increase your income, but it’s usually a move for later in one’s career.
Considering all these aspects, I recommend steering clear of private practice, particularly solo practice, and instead looking for opportunities in a hospital setting. Academia might offer a lower salary, but it's an environment that fosters growth and can open up a lot of doors. So, the choice between an academic and a non-academic environment boils down to personal goals and preferences.
Let’s get to some fun, rapid-fire questions. First, do you listen to music during your cases?
No, but I'm a music listener when I do my exercise. I'm very much against any music in the cath lab. And it’s very important.
I know a lot of people listen to music. I know a few who have to have music playing while they're doing surgery. For me, it’s distracting.
Now, when it comes to my exercise routine, that's a whole other story. No matter how late it is, even if I get home at 11 or 11:30 pm, I’m on my elliptical for about 30 to 35 minutes with Indian music playing. It really keeps me motivated and energized. But in the cath lab, it's a strict no-music zone.
Any movies that you love?
I love Indian movies. I prefer watching them in theaters rather than on Netflix. At least twice a month, I go to see a movie.
Are there any research or upcoming talks that you want to raise awareness for?
There are two. First is the better management of calcific lesions, which is a major issue. It’s crucial to combine techniques to avoid complications like perforation. Incorporating intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) as a default strategy is a part of this, although sometimes it's necessary to combine it with atherectomy. So, raising awareness about the handling of calcific lesions is vital.
The second is managing CHIP, or complex, high-risk patients, particularly those with low ejection fractions. With new devices coming out – like Impella, Magenta, and many others – it’s important to understand how to use them effectively to achieve good short-term results, which hopefully translates into long-term benefits. The Protect IV trial is a good example of this. It compares complex cases using Impella versus standard therapy, where the latter often involves a balloon pump – used in about 90% of cases.
