EP Edge Journal Watch HRS Collaborative Episode June 2026: AVANT GUARD, LAA Closure, OCEAN, and the ALONE-AF Cognitive Substudy-EP Edge Journal Watch HRS Collaboration June 2026 (Video File)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The transcript introduces a new Heart Rhythm Society digital education collaboration with EP-EDGE, a concise, human-curated “journal watch” for electrophysiology research. Dr. Niraj Sharma explains that the project was created because the volume of new literature is overwhelming and AI tools miss clinically important, practical studies. EP-EDGE is available via LinkedIn, Substack, and podcasts, with rapid growth and strong engagement from EP physicians, cardiologists, fellows, residents, and industry.<br /><br />The conversation then reviews several major recent trials, including the Avangard trial in persistent AF, which compared pulse field ablation with antiarrhythmic drugs and found similar standard success rates but fewer asymptomatic AF episodes after ablation. It also discusses left atrial appendage closure trials (CLOSURE-AF and CHAMPION-AF), emphasizing that results depend heavily on patient selection and bleeding outcomes, so anticoagulation remains the status quo for now. Finally, it covers trials on stopping anticoagulation after successful AF ablation, suggesting bleeding risk may outweigh stroke risk in low-risk patients.

Keywords

Heart Rhythm Society

EP-EDGE

pulse field ablation

atrial fibrillation trials

left atrial appendage closure