The Kardio MD

Moderator and cardiologist Marek Karman continues the interview with two exceptional guests: Prof. Maully J. Shah, MBBS, FACC, FHRS, CCDS, CEPS, and MUDr. Viera Illíková, PhD.. Together, they delve into the intricate field of paediatric electrophysiology, exploring programs and interventions focused on heart rhythm disorders in children. The conversation highlights the unique challenges of diagnosing and managing heart rhythm disorders in paediatric patients. From addressing complex cases such as supraventricular tachycardia in infants to leveraging cutting-edge technologies like wireless pacemakers for newborns, the discussion sheds light on how advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic tools are transforming care in this specialized field.

In this exceptional episode we welcome MUDr. Viera Illíková, PhD., Head of the Department of Arrhythmias and Cardiac Stimulation at the Children’s Cardiac Center NÚSCH, a.s., and Prof. Maully J. Shah, MBBS, FACC, FHRS, CCDS, CEPS, a renowned pediatric electrophysiologist from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In the interview, you will learn about their inspiring journey into medicine and what led them to specialize in pediatric electrophysiology. We discuss the challenges they’ve faced, what motivates them, and how they manage to juggle a challenging career with their personal lives. We will also touch on the differences between the medical education system in Slovakia and the USA and provide tips for books, applications, or tools for young doctors who want a career in cardiology.

We welcomed MUDr. Michal Pečík, an experienced emergency medicine physician with over 15 years in both ground and air ambulance services. Michal brought a wealth of practical knowledge to our latest session, sharing valuable insights into the management of acute cardiac conditions encountered in pre-hospital care. He provided an in-depth look at some of the most common acute cardiac emergencies, covering diagnosis, treatment, and the essential role of medical professionals in the pre-hospital phase of care. The discussion covered a range of practical management techniques, including oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and the diagnostic criteria for conditions such as STEMI.

Doc. MUDr. Adrián Kolesár, PhD., MPH, Head of the Clinic of Cardiac Surgery at VÚSCH, a.s., is a leading expert in cardiac surgery, specializing in innovative approaches to treating heart diseases. In our conversation, we discussed minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the use of extracorporeal circulation during procedures, and the Ross Precedure. We also explored the specific cases where mechanical valve replacement is recommended.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Professor MUDr. Peter Mitro, DrSc., one of Slovakia’s leading experts on syncope and the author of a book on the same topic. We discussed what syncopes are, their most common causes, and how to properly differentiate and diagnose them. In the second half of the interview, we delved into the management of syncope and identified when a patient with a brief loss of consciousness should be referred to a neurologist for further evaluation.

MUDr. Erika Komanová, PhD., Chief Physician of the Interventional Arrhythmology Unit at VÚSCH, a.s., joined us to explore the use of telemedicine in cardiology. We began by defining telemedicine, discussing how remote monitoring works, and whether smartwatches can serve as effective telemetry devices for diagnosing arrhythmias. Additionally, we examined telemedicine from the patient’s perspective, its coverage by health insurance, and how early detection through telemetry can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations by identifying sudden pathologies in time.

In our fourth episode, we continued exploring the topic of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) with Professor MUDr. Robert Hatala, CSc., FESC, FACC. We took a deeper dive into what life with an ICD looks like, the necessary precautions before undergoing an MRI, how patient fears can influence their perspective on this treatment, and whether bacteremia caused by ICD implantation can be prevented.

Professor MUDr. Robert Hatala, CSc., FESC, FACC, Head of the Department of Arrhythmias and Cardiac Stimulation at NÚSCH, a.s., and a member of the Board and chief expert of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic in cardiology, guided us through the critical role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in treating patients with malignant arrhythmias and the risk of sudden cardiac death. Our conversation began with a clear definition of sudden cardiac death, the role malignant arrhythmias play in its onset, and when ICDs are the recommended treatment option.

We had the privilege of continuing our conversation with MUDr. Adrián Bystriansky, MSc., MPH, on the last trends in arrhythmology and innovative implantable devices that are redefining the conventional approach to cardiac pacing. Our discussion covers exciting advancements such as physiological stimulation and leadless pacemakers.

Dr. Adrian Bystriansky, MSc., MPH, Head of the Department of Arrhythmias at SÚSCCH, a.s. and Scientific Secretary of the Slovak Association of Cardiac Arrhythmias, povided us with valuable insight into cardiac pacing. We explore what this term truly means and how to make the informed clinical decisions, especially when considering pacemakers for patients.