On this episode of Blue Collar ICs, the team breaks down their takeaways from two major conferences—TCT and VIVA—and what the newest technologies could mean for everyday interventional practice. The docs unpack emerging radiation-reduction tools like AeroShield, debate the safety and utility of high-pressure and cutting-balloon strategies, and discuss the evolving role of IVL, atherectomy, and drug-coated balloons. They also dive into the much-talked-about Storm-PE trial and why mechanical thrombectomy may finally have the data it needs to shift PE care nationwide. Along the way, they share candid opinions on bioresorbable scaffolds, clinical trial bottlenecks, and what innovations are truly worth the hype. It’s a fast-moving, highly technical episode full of real-world experience, skepticism, and excitement about where the field is heading next.

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On this episode of Blue Collar ICs, the docs take a deep dive into the real-world evolution of pulmonary embolism intervention—from the early days of catheter-directed thrombolysis to today’s mechanical thrombectomy approaches. They walk through how treatment strategies have changed over the last decade, the devices that shaped the field, and why more operators nationwide need to adopt these lifesaving techniques. The team also shares dramatic on-table patient turnarounds, early complications they’ve learned from, and the importance of knowing when to escalate care. Along the way, they break down workflow, training gaps, and why community programs need to treat PE with the same urgency as heart attacks and strokes. It’s a technical, candid, and eye-opening look inside one of the fastest-growing areas in interventional cardiology.

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On this episode of Blue Collar ICs, the team breaks down what really happens behind the scenes at cardiology conferences — from networking with peers and vendors to navigating the pressure of live cases and panel criticism. They share personal stories about career-defining conference moments, the thrill and terror of performing challenging procedures live on stage, and the evolving technologies shaping interventional cardiology today. The docs also dive into physician culture, engineering collaborations, and how new ideas make their way from brainstorming to bedside. In a powerful shift, the conversation turns to emotional resilience, handling patient loss, and the mental toll of life-and-death decision-making in the cath lab. They close with an inspiring look at the remarkable recovery of Florida State athlete Ethan Pritchard and the impact of multidisciplinary care. It’s a candid, wide-ranging episode that blends technical insight with humanity at its core.

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Meet the team behind Blue Collar IC's - Host Jordy Culotta introduces Todd Flohr, Bill Dixon, and Brian Brown to share what led them to pursue a career in interventional cardiology, and their current areas of practice. The team discusses intervention for patient foramen ovale (pfo), and talk about whats on the horizon in the medical device space.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.