The Kardio MD

In this special episode, Marek Karman speaks with his colleague from Mistelbach, MUDr. Martin Gřiva – interventional cardiologist, head of the catheterization department, and author of the publication Palliative Care in Cardiology. We explored this important and often overlooked topic in an exceptionally long-format interview, diving deep into the role of palliative care in cardiology, a subject still rarely discussed in the field. Dr. Gřiva shares insights from his clinical practice and research, along with his perspective on how to make medicine more compassionate without losing its professional edge.

We continue our discussion on adherence, focusing on this vital aspect of patient care. From phone calls and discharge reports to informal consultations and cooperation based on mutual trust – these everyday interactions matter. Our guests, MUDr. Zuzana Haniková (general practitioner and internist) and MUDr. Andrej Čorba (cardiologist and general practitioner), return to share their practical experience, this time from the perspective of collaboration between general practitioners and specialists. You’ll learn why cooperation between GPs and specialists is sometimes challenging, what small actions can greatly enhance communication and continuity of care, what ideal collaboration might look like, and why better results may come not from new legislation, but from more respect, attention, and mutual understanding.

The topic of adherence goes beyond prescriptions, it’s about trust, communication, and the small decisions doctors make both inside and outside the office. In this episode, MUDr. Zuzana Haniková shares her insights from the outpatient clinic as a general practitioner and internist, while MUDr. Andrej Čorba offers his perspective as a cardiologist and general practitioner. With years of experience treating both acute and chronic patients, they bring a practical, hands-on approach and a shared motivation to improve outcomes for all involved. You’ll hear how simple, patient-centered education, using clear language and meaningful statistics, can make a real difference. We explore how a patient’s perceived health affects their medication use, the role of socioeconomic and educational factors in adherence, and even the ethical and legal boundaries around ending care for non-adherent patients.

In today’s episode, we are once again joined by Dr. Allan Böhm, MSc., PhD., MBA, FESC, FJCS, a renowned cardiologist, researcher, and innovator. Dr. Böhm has worked at NÚSCH, studied at Oxford and Charles University, and became the youngest member in the history of the European Society of Cardiology’s presidency. Continuing our discussion on acute heart failure, we now turn our focus to cardiogenic shock. You’ll gain insights into the practical aspects of managing this critical condition, discovering its most common causes, how to recognize early warning signs, what comprehensive patient monitoring entails, and how the STOP SHOCK score can aid in clinical decision-making.

Our guest is doc. Allan Böhm, MSc., PhD., MBA, FESC, FJCS, a renowned cardiologist, researcher, and innovator. He has worked at NÚSCH, studied at Oxford and Charles University, and made history as the youngest member of the presidency of the European Society of Cardiology. In this episode of the Kardio MD podcast, we dive deep into the topic of acute heart failure. We address key questions such as: How do we navigate the nomenclature of heart failure? What holidays worsen patients’ conditions, and why? How can we remotely monitor left ventricular filling pressures? And what groundbreaking success did they achieve as the first in the world? Tune in for expert insights and cutting-edge discussions on heart failure management.

In the New Year’s episode of the Kardio MD podcast, we explore the topic of atrial fibrillation (AF) and discuss the latest recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology 2025 (ESC) and how these guidelines can be applied in clinical practice. Our special guest, Prof. MUDr. Ján Kmec, PhD., MPH, FESC, head of the Cardiocenterin Prešov, shares his expertise on the latest trends in AF diagnosis and treatment according to the new ESC guidelines, the AF-CARE framework and its practical implications, antiarrhythmic therapy options for atrial fibrillation, prescription restrictions for DOACs in Slovakia, management of postoperative atrial fibrillation, updates on electrocardioversion practices, and the role of left atrial closure in cardiac surgery. Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving approaches to managing atrial fibrillation and the impact of the 2025 ESC guidelines.

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.