Apr 23, 2021 This Week in Cardiology Podcast

Please note that the text below is not a full transcript and has not been copyedited. For more insight and commentary on these stories, subscribe to the This Week in Cardiology podcast.

In This Week’s Podcast

For the week ending April 23, 2021, John Mandrola, MD comments on the following news and features stories.

First, a meta comment. I’ve occasionally said words like “This podcast has long felt....” or This Week in Cardiology believes....”

What I mean to say is that I feel that way. TheHeart.org | Medscape Cardiology hosts the podcast, but the opinions expressed our mine, and I take full responsibility.

COVID Stats and Vaccines

• Can We Get to 'COVID Zero'? Experts Predict the Next 8 Months

The Johns Hopkins site shows that the United States and European Union 7-day average is moving down again. Michigan is also in a steep decline in cases. Even Canada seems to have plateaued and may be heading down. This is very good news—and most experts agree it is due to the effects of vaccination.

I went back and looked at the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine papers in the NEJMand the results are truly amazing. In cardiology, we are used to 20% to 25% relative risk reductions.