Don't Just Read the Abstract

Dr Megan Kell is a UK haematologist, currently practising in Sheffield. She is the Chair of the British Society of Haematology's Global Haematology Specialist Interest Group and has a long standing interest in Global Health. She recently returned from over two years working as one of only two haematologists in the small, west African nation of The Gambia. This is an eye-opening interview which makes you realise what we take for granted. There are some great stories in here about how to improvise, how to acquire what you need in a resource poor setting, and what's truly important in medicine. This is a must listen!

On this episode, Pip interviews Dr Susie Shapiro, consultant haematologist in Oxford, UK, about the recent UK approval of efanesoctocog alfa, a very long half-life factor VIII product for severe haemophilia. To find out more about this treatment, listen to our first episode on the subject (Efanesoctocog alfa - a very long half life factor VIII) where we discuss the evidence.

On this episode, Rich and Pip discuss the very long half life factor VIII product efanesoctocog alfa (trade names Altuvoct and Altuviiio). They discuss the 2023 NEJM paper that has recently prompted its approval for use in the UK NHS. This is the first of two episodes on this subject.

Pip and Rich discuss the happenings from day 2 of the British Society of Haematology Annual Scientific Meeting

On this show, Pip and Rich discuss the first day of BSH, focusing on medical haematology.

In this episode, Rich and Pip review the programme for BSH 2025 and discuss the non-malignant haematology sessions not to miss. This is your go to guide for Glasgow 2025 beginning on 27th April.

On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss Jaber et al. Large-Bore Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in the Management of Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Primary Results of the PEERLESS Randomized Controlled Trial. PEERLESS was a trial that enrolled patients with intermediate-risk (sub-massive) PE and randomised them to either large-bore mechanical thrombectomy or catheter directed thrombolysis. The headline finding from PEERLESS is that mechanical thrombectomy is superior to catheter directed thrombolysis but as ever, if you read beyond the abstract, you will find that it is much more complex than that. The study used an interesting primary endpoint called "win ratio" and the show includes a detailed explanation and analysis of what this is, its benefits, and its drawbacks.

On this episode, Pip and Rich chat to Fouad Al Noor, CEO of ThinkSono. ThinkSono have developed an AI-powered handheld scanning tool for DVT that enables anyone to perform a diagnostic quality ultrasound scan for the diagnosis of DVT. The images are then reviewed by a radiologist, providing a rapid answer for most patients. The tool is entering use within the NHS and in this podcast, Pip and Rich discuss the story and the evidence behind ThinkSono as well as the challenges and opportunities that the tool provides.For more information, visit www.thinksono.com and to access the evidence, head to www.thinksono.com/research.Pip and Rich have no relevant conflicts of interest for this episode. The podcast was initially started thanks to a hands off grant from Sobi who have had no editorial input into the show.

In this episode, Rich and Pip discuss de Latour et al. Oral Iptacopan Monotherapy in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria. NEJM 2024. Iptacopan is a proximal complement inhibitor and the first oral treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. The study randomised patients to either continuation of a C5 inhibitor or switch to ictacopan and found that a significant proportion of patients achieved hemoglobin levels of 120 g/L or higher without the need for transfusions. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previous studies, suggesting that iptacopan is a viable alternative to existing therapies.Join us as we delve into the study's methodology, results, and implications for the future management of PNH.