Stories That Ignite Movements I had the honor of interviewing two legends who I admire very much. Dr. Cleve Francis, the first Black cardiologist at the Inova Health System, a Country Music Singer signed by Capitol Records and featured in the African American Museum of history (!!), and an entire movement in and of … Read more
“Match day” for Internal Medicine subspecialties came and went this year, despite the turbulence that the COVID-19 pandemic brought upon us. As 2020 draws closer to an end, the light at the end of the tunnel seems to get brighter and brighter. Future cardiologists have found their new homes in programs across the country. Some … Read more
Over the last decade, several direct oral anticoagulants have become available for thromboembolic prophylaxis, as an alternative to the Vitamin K antagonist warfarin. These agents are either direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran) or Factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban). In my clinical practice, I frequently prescribe these medications for stroke prophylaxis from atrial fibrillation. During these … Read more
Two AHA Councils, the Council on Hypertension and the Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, have joined forces with the American Society of Hypertension to make Joint Hyptertension 2018 Scientific Sessions (#Hypertension18) among the most impactful. Dr. Karen Griffin, FAHA Vice Chair for the Council on Hypertension Scientific Sessions Planning Committee calls it the “premier scientific … Read more
“The policy of being too cautious is the greatest risk of all.” Jawaharlal Nehru Of all the potential complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke is the most feared. Attempting to predict a stroke has proven to be a daunting task. The mechanism by which AF leads to a stroke is undoubtedly due to the … Read more
Nearly 2 weeks after AHA Scientific Sessions 2017, I’m back at home, sipping coffee on a chilly Sunday morning and thinking about Anaheim. The larger-than-life convention center, the numerous and packed sessions, and the built-in-a-day pharma fueled exhibit halls. Working backwards, I remember fitting in a lunch sponsored by Amgen, given by Dr. Alan Brown, … Read more