jcspratt

Becoming an interventional cardiologist isn’t easy. It takes perseverance, dedication and, often, the support of others. Teachers, fellows, friends and family all play a role, and no two journeys are the same. Headphones On follows Laura Novelli, interventional cardiologist and Optima faculty member, from a curious teenager navigating many interests to unexpectedly discovering a passion for coronary guide wires (a bit PCI niche, we know), all before ever stepping into a cath lab. “I had absolutely no idea how to puncture a radial artery or do a coronary angiography.” Low on money and with limited cardiology experience, Laura had to make decisions. None of them were straightforward. optimaeducation.com/insights/becom…

Day 2 in full swing at #NewWaveAcademy26, a packed agenda at ORSI! @jcspratt @ShockwaveIVL @Asahi_Intecc_EU @AbbottCardio @BSCCardiology @TeleflexCardiol @SeiglaMedical

The Big Optima Quiz of the Year!! #NewWaveAcademy26 @jcspratt @ShockwaveIVL @Asahi_Intecc_EU @AbbottCardio @BSCCardiology @TeleflexCardiol @SeiglaMedical

Ready for day 2?? Let’s get started! #NewWaveAcademy26 @jcspratt @ShockwaveIVL @Asahi_Intecc_EU @AbbottCardio @BSCCardiology @TeleflexCardiol @SeiglaMedical

This morning at the New Wave Academy, ORSI.. #NewWaveAcademy26 @jcspratt @ShockwaveIVL @Asahi_Intecc_EU @AbbottCardio @BSCCardiology @TeleflexCardiol @SeiglaMedical

The lecture theatre is filling up for the start of the New Wave Academy Course in ORSI! A day full of hands-on learning, high-quality education & setting the foundation for core PCI skills ahead!! @jcspratt @ShockwaveIVL

Thanks to @OptimaCTO for the images & @SarahFairley7 for the collaboration

@ColletCarlos Variability - whether in image interpretation or in PCI practice

Why have IVUS trials been positive in Asia, yet neutral or less convincing in Europe and the US? So what is really driving the gap?

@jbspadoni Agree - IVUS is information. If that information does result in behavioural change, then how could it change outcomes?

No difference in IVUS-guided vs. angio for LM PCI? It is ESCAPE trial all over again. Like pulmonary artery catheters, IVUS is a diagnostic tool. The catheter, per se, doesn’t have a magic power to change the outcome of a procedure. We should move away from doing trials that only compare IVUS vs angio. Trials that successfully advanced the field, such as ULTIMATE and DKcrush VIII(presented at ACC as well) had strict criteria for “real IVUS-guided PCI”. Here, only 65% of the IVUS guided group had a pre IVUS to “guide the PCI”. Prior trials showed that IVUS-guided PCI leads to statistically significantly larger balloons and stents, and more post-dilation. Here we see less POT in the IVUS group. Also, despite most patients receiving less than 2 stents (provisional), the cardiac mortality at 2 years was exceptionally high at 9.5% (Syntax II was 2.8%, DKCRUSH 1.3%, PRECOMBAT 2.7%, all at 5 years). I hope this does not make us lose the recent improvement in imaging uptake. It took us years to convince people that a PA catheter is important in cardiogenic shock because of ESCAPE. I hope the field moves to design better trials with different strategies for imaging-guided PCI, rather than reverting to angio, where you have to guess the calcium arch, a nodule, or even whether the stent is indeed expanded.

Finally, a sham-controlled CTO PCI trial—and it delivers. ORBITA-CTO: small (n=50), but rigor where it matters—blinding, placebo control, symptom-level data. CTO PCI improves angina beyond placebo, with a clear reduction in episodes and more angina-free days. Not prognosis, not hard endpoints, but real symptom benefit—properly measured. #acc26 jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.…

In patients with symptomatic single-vessel coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), #PCI for CTO improved angina beyond placebo, according to findings from the ORBITA-CTO trial presented at #ACC26 and simultaneously published in #JACC. Learn more: bit.ly/4uSdZKR

Great PCI starts before the first move. In this clip, @GLGasparini highlights a core principle we emphasise at Optima: Separate thinking from doing Take a moment to: • Define your strategy • Set your imaging goals • Plan your bailout That pause isn’t hesitation, it’s precision. This is the mindset behind training at New Wave Academy, ORSI. optimaeducation.com/events

Had a great time - great to see old friends & make new ones @OptimaCTO

Very soon, we will be assessing PCI results with non-invasive imaging. This case shows a left main crossover PCI to the LAD, where our main question was the result at the ostium of the circumflex. #CCTA will rapidly become an important tool not only for planning PCI, but also for evaluating its final result. @crfheart @PCRonline @SCAI @Heartflow @ACCinTouch @JACCJournals @ESC_Journals

Hands-on. Practical. Built for the next generation. At New Wave Academy, it’s not just about learning PCI, it’s about doing it. From core skills to complex decision-making, delegates step into a fully immersive environment designed to build confidence early. ORSI Belgium 8–9 April 2026 optimaeducation.com/events @jcspratt

Proud to see this important work published highlighting variability in post CABG ACS care. Expertly led by the brilliant @matt_kelham 👏👏 & many thanks to all the wonderful collaborators @ColletCarlos @jcspratt @DrKeeble @ChoudryFizzah @krishnaraj82 @BartsIntervGrp @mdstbarts

Ahead of New Wave Academy at ORSI, faculty came together for a dedicated training session in London, focused on presentation skills and teaching approach. From tackling unpredictability and sharpening decision making, to applying Proactive PCI in real world practice, the day focused on how to translate complex thinking into clear, practical learning. From crafting messages that truly land to building strategies for consistent, predictable PCI outcomes, the emphasis was on clarity, structure and impact. @ShockwaveIVL @jcspratt

An energising afternoon at the faculty training day! Crafting messages that truly land to building strategies for consistent, predictable PCI outcomes, the focus has been on clarity, structure and impact. #OptimaORSIFaculty2026 @jcspratt

Faculty training day in London has begun! A strong start to the morning, from tackling unpredictability and sharpening decision-making, to applying Proactive PCI in real-world practice. This morning has been all about thinking ahead and acting with intention. #OptimaORSIFaculty2026 @jcspratt