Duke Heart Pulse — September 28, 2025
Chief’s message: Heart Failure Society Meeting with HFDA Presidential Address from Mike Felker
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. For those of you not watching the Ryder Cup or other sporting events – this
weekend also marked the Heart Failure Society of America Meeting with several key cardiovascular faculty and fellows presenting. Perhaps the most notable was Mike Felker – President of HFSA giving the presidential address on 5 trends in Heart Failure and cardiovascular care. He highlighted many of the trends we have discussed around personalization, importance of emerging therapies based on these features, and the increasing ability to remotely monitor our patients and manage their health. Rob Mentz joined as Editor of JCF and provided some insights from his perspective. Below you will see other Science that was lead by our teams including Adam DeVore. Included are some pictures courtsey of people at the meeting that included a standing room only session on Devices and heart Failure that Marat Fudim was an integral part of. We will have more in upcoming weeks but congratulations to all who continue to help us improve the science around our HF patients.
Highlights of the week:
HFSA: Remote Health Care Helps Heart Failure Patients Get the Right Medications Faster
For millions of Americans living with heart failure, getting the right medications at the right doses can be a slow and frustrating process, which can lead to delayed treatment adjustments, undertreatment and risks for worsening symptoms.
A new study led by Duke Health shows that a remote digital program may offer a safe, faster way for heart failure patients to get the care they need from home.
The study, presented as a late-breaker at the Heart Failure Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, highlights a critical issue in heart care access. Nearly half of U.S. counties don’t have a cardiologist, leaving many patients without expert guidance.
“We need scalable tools to reach people where they are,” said Adam DeVore, MD, associate professor of medicine in cardiology at the Duke University School of Medicine and the study’s lead author. “If you look across the roughly 3,100 counties in the United States, 46% don’t have a cardiologist.”
“People who live in areas without that access experience more heart disease and are more likely to die from heart problems,” DeVore said. “Add to that, appointments for medication titration are a real challenge in heart failure care. There are a lot of real-world barriers that make it really difficult.”
The research was funded by Innovaccer Inc., which developed Story Health, the digital care platform evaluated in the trial.
The study found patients who used the remote program to connect with care for the management of heart failure medications saw greater improvements in their regimens compared to those receiving usual care, and no increase in hospitalizations or emergency visits.
The multicenter randomized clinical trial, coordinated by the Duke Heart Center, enrolled 178 patients across seven U.S. health systems. Participants used blood pressure cuffs and scales that connected to their mobile device to track their health daily.
Their data was sent to clinicians through the secure digital platform, which also provided personalized medication recommendations. Health coaches helped patients navigate logistics like lab tests and pharmacy access, making it easier to adjust medications without needing frequent in-person visits.
The digital program improved medication use across all four foundational therapies for heart failure. Patients were more likely to reach target doses of key drugs that help manage heart failure and reduce hospitalizations (beta-blockers, ARNI, MRA and SGLT2 inhibitors.)
Dr. DeVore believes the findings offer a promising new option for clinicians and health systems looking to improve care for heart failure patients.
“A remote platform offers a scalable option for both clinicians and health systems to try to improve the care we’re already providing to patients with heart failure,” DeVore said.
“If we can get people on the right doses and the right number of medicines sooner,” DeVore said, “they have the possibility of living longer and staying out of the hospital more.”
In addition to DeVore, study authors include Cynthia L. Green, Nancy M. Albert, Amir R. Haghighat, Sunit-Preet Chaudhry, Hirak Shah, Mosi K. Bennett, Tom Stanis, Ashul Govil, Trejeeve Martyn, Jaime McDermott, Mirza S. Khan, and Andrew J. Sauer.
Kunal Patel, MD, Receives NIH K01 Research Scientist Development Award
Kunal Patel, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, has been granted a K01 Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institutes of Health for his project titled, The Post-Lung Transplant Impact of Alveolar Macrophage Senescence in Aged Donor Lungs.
The purpose of the K01 award program is to provide support and protected time for an intensive, supervised career development experience in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences leading to research independence.
Patel’s project will determine the role of senescent alveolar macrophages in allograft failure and the poor outcomes associated with aged donor lungs, which will provide the field with clinically relevant, therapeutic targets to increase the utility and viability of aged donor lungs for lung transplant.
Congratulations, Kunal!
Reminder: SOM Leadership Town Hall on Tuesday
Dean Klotman will host a School of Medicine Town Hall: Financial and Operational Strategy Updates on September 30 at 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. All faculty, staff, students, and residents are invited to attend.
Speakers include:
• Host: Mary Klotman, MD, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Duke University; Dean, Duke University School of Medicine; Chief Academic Officer, Duke Health
• Panelist: Colin Duckett, PhD, Executive Vice Dean for Basic and Preclinical Science, Duke University School of Medicine
• Panelist: Heather Hamby, MPH, Executive Vice Dean for Administration, Duke University School of Medicine
• Panelist: Geeta Swamy, MD, Associate Vice President for Research, Duke University; Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Sciences and Research Administration, Duke University School of Medicine
• Panelist: Scott Elengold, JD, Associate University Counsel, Duke University
• Panelist: Catherine Liao, MSPH, Vice President for Government Relations, Duke Health
Join the Zoom webinar here. A copy of the recording will be available on the SOM website the next day.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
October 6-24: Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits
October 9: Flu vaccination season launch
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Sept. 30: ESC Update (Session 2) with Jennifer Rymer. 5 p.m. DN 2002 or via Zoom.
MMCVI Grand Rounds
Multi-Modality Cardiovascular Imaging Grand Rounds: A multi-imaging approach to cardiovascular disease cases. Thursdays, Noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.
Oct. 2: Aortic Stenosis with Bharathi Upadhya
Oct. 9: RV Guidelines with Fawaz Alenezi
Oct. 16: Quality in the Echo Lab with Ashlee Davis
Oct. 23 Topic TBD with Tess Allan
Oct. 30: Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy with Nish Shivakumar
CME Activities:
Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium — October 4
This year’s symposium is designed to address emerging clinical questions in echocardiography, updated guideline recommendations, and new imaging modalities through case-based learning and practical applications. The 2025 agenda features expert-led sessions on updated ASE guidelines, coronary artery disease evaluation, strain imaging in cardiomyopathies, tricuspid valve disease, cardiac POCUS, and technical skills development through hands-on breakout sessions. Trent Semans Center, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To register, please visit https://duke.is/b/vd87.
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. Register here.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
Community Events:
2025 Triangle Heart Walk – October 11
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.; our Duke Health Team Photo will be at 8:15! The AHA welcome program will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. The event venue will be open through 11 a.m.
Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection Opening – October 29
The collection opening celebration is scheduled for October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular at tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our team. Please call me with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
September 23 — Harry Severance
Becker’s ASC Review
How Stark law could be keeping physicians from leadership
September 25 — Duke Clinical Research Institute (Rymer)
Diabetes.co.uk
Seasonal changing of the clocks not linked to increased heart attack risk
Duke Heart Pulse — September 21, 2025
Chief’s message: Information, Data, AI and information Networks
The fall is starting to come to North Carolina and this time of year is one of the more beautiful times in our area. Hopefully, you all are getting to spend sometime outside over the next few weeks. This week Duke Heart continues to work to accomplish our missions in an ever evolving world. We were able to collaborate on some important projects in the last week and had some clear examples of where our teams can make a difference. We are in full swing for recruiting fellows in cardiology and faculty for the upcoming years. Please take a look at some of the upcoming events including a launch of advertising for Duke Heart, the AHA Heart Walk, and APP week upcoming.
Additionally, in keeping with our reading list – if you have the chance – I would recommend consider reading the novel Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. The book traverses a vast timeline, examining how humans have communicated 
and shared information from ancient times to the modern era, culminating in the age of artificial intelligence. The book is structured chronologically, beginning with the earliest forms of communication in the Stone Age, such as cave paintings and oral traditions. It progresses through significant historical developments, including the invention of writing, the printing press, and the telegraph, highlighting how each innovation transformed societal structures and information dissemination.As the narrative advances, Harari delves into the digital age, discussing the rise of the internet, social media, and the burgeoning influence of AI on information networks. Each chapter is rich with historical anecdotes, technological insights, and analyses of the societal impacts of these networks. The author successfully illustrates the interconnectedness of communication advancements and societal change, the role of humans in shaping and changing stories and information – making the book both enlightening and thought-provoking. His exploration of AI’s role in modern information networks is particularly relevant and timely, given current technological trends. As we continue to work on getting scientific and medical information out to our communities – this book provides an interesting and important perspective for our health systems.
These themes will help us with our work to communicate our focus on aligning our clinical growth with our research missions in cardiovascular health.
Highlights of the week:
Heart Access Advertising Campaign to Launch Oct. 6
We are pleased to announce the pending launch of an advertising campaign designed to feature the accessibility of Duke Heart services throughout our area.
Marketing research of patients in our community has found that more than half of respondents prioritize ease and accessibility when choosing specialty health care. While Duke Heart already offers same-day and next-day appointments, over the past year our team has worked to expand access through online scheduling, template changes, and new hires.
As a result of these efforts, a new multi-channel, consumer-facing marketing campaign will be launched on October 6 to highlight Duke Health’s 48-hour access to specialty care — focusing on our heart and orthopedic service lines, albeit in dedicated ads.
The campaign will run throughout our primary market through June 2026. Ads will appear at various times across an assortment of platforms, including:
- Television commercials (digital and cable), including one specifically for heart services.
- Digital ads
- Radio ads (digital and traditional)
- Outdoor advertisements in Wake county — including billboards, bus ads, and display ads in outdoor malls.
- Ads in Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- Triangle Heart Walk (Oct. 11) tie-in via the Duke Health team shirts and an ‘activation’ tent in the walker activities area.
This Access initiative aligns with Duke Health’s strategic pillars of people, access, and growth, and reflects our commitment to meeting patients where they are—both geographically and in their healthcare journey.
We know patients value efficiency and flexibility. Our marketing campaign will emphasize ease of scheduling and timely access to care across Duke Heart locations.
Thank you for the exceptional care you provide every day. Your work continues to place patients and their families at the center of everything we do. We are excited about this campaign and we appreciate your help and attention to ensuring our patients can be seen quickly throughout our clinical areas.
Celebrating APPs
This week (Sept. 22-26) is National Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Week, a celebration and awareness week honoring the contributions of Physician Assistants/Associates, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants. The theme this year is “Racing Toward the Future: Celebrating APPs.”
We recognize and celebrate providers who are certified and licensed to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage illnesses, prescribe medications, perform clinical procedures, and conduct clinical research in the management of our patients. This important group of providers throughout Duke Health and the U.S. elevates the fields of medicine and nursing to ensure our patients and communities receive safe, high-quality, evidence-based care.
The Duke Heart APP team is filled with amazing, supportive, terrific colleagues, so be sure to thank an APP this week!
Relocation of Duke North 3300 to Duke North 6300 Completed
Duke North 3300 relocated to 6300 (31-bed unit) on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. There is no change in the patient population on this unit. 6300 was specifically chosen as the move location because of the proximity to both of our other CT step-down Units (6100 and 6E).
Thanks to everyone who helped ensure a smooth transition!
Service Line Leadership Strategic Meeting Held
The Duke Heart service line gathered our operational leaders on Friday, Sept. 19, for a strategic meeting to discuss year-end performance and an overview of our strategic growth plan. Jill Engel and Manesh Patel led the presentation.
Many thanks to our Center of Excellence team for hosting the meeting in their space!
AI at Duke Newsletter
Are you interested in learning more about how Duke is shaping the future of AI in research, teaching, and learning? AI at Duke has launched a monthly newsletter, which will share highlights about the interdisciplinary AI work happening across Duke and updates on the university’s evolving strategic framework around AI.
The first edition can be viewed here, which provides a recap of AI stories from this summer. If you would like to subscribe, click here.
As information regarding Duke Heart’s projects in AI becomes available, we may share information with the AI at Duke team for their newsletter consideration. We have several projects working with partners and will be sharing in upcoming weeks.
System Updates:
TJC Visit: DUH received a full accreditation award letter from The Joint Commission this week. Congratulations to all!
Use of Patient Transport Elevators (DUH): Please remind your teams to refrain from using patient transport elevators. New signage has been installed to indicate which elevators in DN and the DCT are designated for patient transport only and should not be used by staff for non-patient transport activities. Your support is appreciated as we work to efficiently care for each patient.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
September: National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
September 15-October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
October 6-24: Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits
October 9: Flu vaccination season launch
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Sept. 23: ESC Update (Session 1) with Manesh Patel. 5 p.m., 2002 DN or via Zoom.
Sept. 30: ESC Update (Session 2) with Jennifer Rymer. 5 p.m. DN 2002 or via Zoom.
MMCVI Grand Rounds
Multi-Modality Cardiovascular Imaging Grand Rounds: A multi-imaging approach to cardiovascular disease cases. Thursdays, Noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.
Sept. 25: Mitral Stenosis with Jon Owensby
Oct. 2: Aortic Stenosis with Bharathi Upadhya
Oct. 9: RV Guidelines with Fawaz Alenezi
Oct. 16: Quality in the Echo Lab with Ashlee Davis
Oct. 23 Topic TBD with Tess Allan
Oct. 30: Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy with Nish Shivakumar
CME Offerings:
Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium — October 4
This year’s symposium is designed to address emerging clinical questions in echocardiography, updated guideline recommendations, and new imaging modalities through case-based learning and practical applications. The 2025 agenda features expert-led sessions on updated ASE guidelines, coronary artery disease evaluation, strain imaging in cardiomyopathies, tricuspid valve disease, cardiac POCUS, and technical skills development through hands-on breakout sessions. Trent Semans Center, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To register, please visit https://duke.is/b/vd87.
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. Register here.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
Other Events:
SOM Leadership Town Hall – September 30
Dean Klotman will host a School of Medicine Town Hall: Financial and Operational Strategy Updates on September 30 at 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. All faculty, staff, students, and residents are invited to attend. A Zoom link will be available closer to the date of the event.
2025 Triangle Heart Walk – October 11
The 2025 Triangle Heart Walk will take place on October 11 at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.; a brief “Welcome” program will officially open the walk at 8:45 a.m., with the walk immediately following. The event venue will be open through 11 a.m.
New Faculty Orientation – October 13
The School of Medicine’s annual Academic New Faculty Orientation will be held Monday, October 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center. To learn more and register, please visit https://duke.is/SOM-NFO.
Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection Opening – October 29
The opening celebration of the Bashore Collection is scheduled for October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular, tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our team. Please call me with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
September 14 — Jennifer Rymer
Breaking MED
Daylight Savings Time Not Associated with Heart Attack Rates
September 15 — David D’Alessio
Medscape
Real-World Study Finds Over 50% Stop GLP-1s Within 1 Year
September 15 — Kunal Patel and Kenneth Boccaccio
The Duke Chronicle
‘Extend the lifesaving benefit’: Duke surgeons pioneer robotic bilateral lung transplant
September 15 — Harry Severance
Newsweek
Philips exec: What the U.S. manufacturing push means for health care
September 15 — Robert Califf
The Medical Independent
RCPI meeting to explore ‘healthcare horizons’
September 15 — Dawn Coleman
Vascular News
Dawn Coleman (profile)
September 16 — Duke University Hospital
The Hearty Soul
France Introduces Artificial Heart That Could Last A Lifetime Without Donors
September 17 — Joseph Turek
The Telegraph Online (India)
The Alternative: Partial heart transplants in children and their success rate
Duke Heart Pulse — September 14, 2025
Highlights of the week:
Albanese Leaving Duke Health
The University announced this week that Craig Albanese, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Duke University Health System, will be departing Duke on Sept. 30. Albanese will serve as President of Kaiser Permanente, the largest integrated non-profit healthcare delivery system in the United States, headquartered in Oakland, California, effective October 1.
In an announcement to the Duke Health team, Albanese shared the following:
“This was an unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that came my way — one that I feel called to pursue at this point in my professional journey. Personally, it will bring my wife and me closer to our daughters and their growing families, a first time for our family to be united since they left for college.
It has been an incredible honor to serve alongside you. I will remember not just what we accomplished together, but how we did it—with respect, compassion, and a deep commitment to belonging. You’ve led with extraordinary courage through challenges, supported one another with kindness, and cared for those who come to us for hope, health, and healing with unwavering dedication. Every day, you’ve inspired me with your belief in Duke, in our patients and in each other. I hope you felt that I have, and always will, believe in you and in Duke’s extraordinary missions.
Please know that my admiration and gratitude for this organization and its people are endless. As President Price shared, he and the Board of Directors will guide the transition ahead. I have every confidence in the strength, resilience and talent of this team to continue advancing the important work we have started together. Leadership transitions can be both exciting and unsettling. There will always be unknowns. What I know with certainty, however, is that by focusing on Duke Health’s four critical missions – and living our values and cultural commitments of putting people first, adapting to improve, and being clear to empower – Duke will continue to provide hope, health and healing to one another, our patients and our communities.
While I am moving on to a new chapter, I will always carry Duke and all of you with me. The impact you’ve had on my life is immeasurable, and I will remain one of your biggest champions—forever proud to have been part of this extraordinary community.
Thank you for your trust, your support, and most of all, the privilege of serving alongside you.”
Albanese also shared a video announcement that can be viewed here: https://duke.is/c/aktw
Preparations will commence immediately for a national search for his successor, with details to be announced soon. An interim management structure for DUHS will be implemented until a new CEO is named. During this interim period, Tom Owens, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO) of DUHS, will report to Vincent E. Price, Duke University President. Price will be in close contact and direct coordination with the DUHS senior vice presidents, who will report either to the DUHS EVP/COO or jointly to the DUHS EVP/COO and Mary Klotman, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. Other senior leaders with dual reporting responsibilities will continue reporting to Mary Klotman, and an interim plan will be established to replace their DUHS CEO reporting line. All leaders affected by these changes will be notified and provided with details in the coming days.
Duke’s leadership is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition and a successful search for Craig’s replacement. Please join us in congratulating Craig and his family!
Daylight Saving Time May Not Trigger Heart Attacks After All, Study Finds
As most Americans prepare to turn their clocks back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2, a new study is casting doubt on a long-standing belief: that daylight saving time (DST) disrupts sleep enough to trigger a spike in heart attacks.
In a sweeping analysis of nearly 170,000 patients over a decade, researchers at Duke University School of Medicine found no significant increase in heart attacks during the weeks surrounding DST transitions — in neither spring nor fall.
The findings published Sept. 9 in JAMA Network Open challenge earlier, smaller studies that suggested the spring time change, which robs people of an hour of sleep, could lead to a rise in cardiovascular events.
The only exception in the new study was a spike in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cases following spring DST in 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of widespread stress, uncertainty, and disruptions to health care.
“This is the most comprehensive look we’ve had at the relationship between DST and heart health,” said lead study author Jennifer Rymer, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Duke Health and an associate professor of medicine in cardiology at Duke School of Medicine. “And the data simply don’t support the idea that changing the clocks causes a surge in heart attacks.”
The study, published using data from the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain MI Registry, examined cases from 2013 to 2022, with analysis conducted between March 2024 and May 2025.
Daylight saving time is the practice of changing clocks twice a year to take advantage of a longer day in warmer months. Lawmakers continue to debate whether to make DST permanent, or to end it altogether.
Duke, along with colleagues, compared heart attack rates during the week of DST — both spring and fall — with the weeks immediately before and after. In the spring, 28,678 patients (17.0%) were treated for AMI during the DST week, compared to 28,596 (16.9%) the week before and 28,169 (16.7%) the week after.
Fall numbers showed a similar pattern: 27,942 patients (16.5%) during DST week, 27,365 (16.2%) the week prior, and 28,120 (16.7%) the week following.
Patient demographics remained stable throughout the study, with a median age of 65 and women making up about one-third of cases.
Researchers found no meaningful differences in hospital deaths, strokes, or other outcomes tied to daylight saving time.
“Advances in post-heart attack treatment over the past decade may also explain why our study did not find statistically significant changes in outcomes, unlike earlier, smaller studies,” said Rymer, who performs procedures, such as angioplasty and stent placement, to quickly open blocked coronary arteries and stop heart attacks.
The study’s authors suggest that previous findings may have been skewed by smaller sample sizes and limited geographic scope.
The broader scope and inclusion of states like Arizona and Hawaii — where DST is not observed — in the new study helped provide a natural control group and perhaps a more accurate picture.
“There are many reasons why heart attacks might become more common during certain times of the year — like when there’s a spike in flu cases or other respiratory illnesses,” Rymer said. “So, while this study looked at heart attack rates around daylight saving time, it’s important to remember that other seasonal factors could also be playing a role.”
Sleep Still Matters
Still, the researchers caution that sleep remains a critical factor in heart health. Poor sleep and extremes in sleep duration — less than six or more than nine hours — have been consistently linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
One hour of additional sleep, studies show, can reduce the risk of heart attack by as much as 20% in short sleepers.
As work schedules have become more flexible and remote jobs more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, the one-hour shift caused by daylight saving time may no longer disrupt daily routines as much as it once did.
With fewer rigid work-hour boundaries and more digital connectivity, the time change may have less impact on sleep patterns and overall health.
While the new findings may ease fears about heart attacks, other studies have linked the time change to increased risk of stroke, car accidents, and workplace injuries.
Additional Authors include Shung Li, Karen Chiswell, PhD, Aman Kansal, MD, Michael G. Nanna, MD, Jorge Antonio Gutierrez, MD, Dmitriy N Feldman, MD, Sunil V. Rao, MD, and senior author Rajesh V. Swaminathan, MD.
Funding was provided by the American College of Cardiology. This article was written by Shantell Kirkendoll for Duke SOM’s Magnify publication.
Duke Heart Team Awarded NHLBI R01
Congratulations to Gerald Bloomfield, Svati Shah (Duke Multi-PIs) and Winstone Nyandiko (Moi University PI)! They have been awarded an R01 from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for their project entitled: Cardiac function and proteomic biomarkers in individuals with perinatal HIV infection or exposure.
The team will follow a cohort of adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV in Kenya to screen for subclinical cardiac dysfunction by echocardiogram, as well as proteomic biomarkers indicative of inflammation and other pathways. By comparing three groups (with HIV, never exposed to HIV, exposed to HIV in utero but without HIV), the team aims to identify the specific contributions of HIV exposure and infection to early cardiac dysfunction in a young cohort. Findings will inform early preventive interventions.
The grant is an R01 mechanism award totaling $4.8M over 5 years.
Way to go, team!
Note of Gratitude
We received a lovely note that was originally sent to James Mills regarding care provided by Deepa Upadhyaya and wanted to share it with our Pulse readers:
“Hi Jim, I am writing to share with you my gratitude and appreciation for the care Deepa extended as a care provider for my family member at DRAH. She was thoughtful and knowledgeable and went out of her way to provide amazing professional care. She went well above what was asked of her as a consultant, an old school physician combining the art and science of medicine. Having colleagues such as Deepa is so meaningful.” — All the best, Lynne Koweek, MD
We are lucky to have you on our team, Deepa!
Duke Heart Adds New Family Member
A belated congratulations to Fran Reda, nurse practitioner at Arringdon, and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Anne Douglas Reda, back on May 22! Anne weighed 8lbs 12oz and was 21 inches at birth. All are doing well!
DCRI’s Beyond the Endpoint Season Two
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) launched season 2 of the podcast, Beyond the Endpoint, this week with an episode on autism featuring the interim director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Dr. Lauren Franz. The podcast is co-hosted by Manesh Patel and Emily O’Brien (PopHealth).
Beyond the Endpoint launches every other Wednesday on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Topics planned for the remainder of 2025 include three ‘Beyond the Headlines’ episodes (science-grounded discussions on current headlines); a three-part series on obesity; the use of AI in medicine; colorectal cancer, and behavioral interventions in research. The season will continue through spring of 2026. Guests have been a mix of Duke experts and colleagues from beyond the university.
DUHS & SOM Updates:
Use of Patient Transport Elevators (DUH)
Please remind your teams to refrain from using patient transport elevators. Beginning Tuesday, September 16, new signage will be installed to indicate which elevators in DN and the DCT are designated for patient transport only and should not be used by staff for non-patient transport activities. Your support is appreciated as we work to efficiently care for each patient.
Duke Financial Fitness Week
Each year Duke Human Resources offers a series of free, virtual webinars designed to help you understand your benefits, make smart money moves, and to plan for the future during Duke Financial Fitness Week, Sept. 22-25, 2025. To see the full schedule and RSVP for individual Zoom sessions, please visit: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/finance/financial-fitness/
These sessions are open to all Duke employees — staff, faculty, and anyone interested in learning more about their benefits. No matter your age or contribution status, there’s something here for you. Questions? Contact the Duke Human Resource Information Center at 919-684-5600 or email hr@duke.edu.
Open Enrollment for 2026
The Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits this fall will be extended to three weeks to provide employees with more time to consider the options that best meet their needs. Open enrollment will be Oct. 6-24, 2025. Changes are coming for 2026, including the move from Aetna to Cigna Healthcare for the administration of all medical plans. To learn more, visit: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/enrollment/oe/.
Non-Clinician Headshot Day
Huth Photo is planning a Headshot Day for non-clinicians on Sept. 23. Register Here. Appointments are still available! You can email office@huthphoto.com to be added to their distribution list so you don’t miss future headshot day announcements. Clinical provider headshots are taken by DUHS Marketing & Communications. Contact Tracey Koepke for that schedule.
SOM Town Hall
Dean Klotman will host a School of Medicine Town Hall on September 30 at 12 pm. All faculty, staff, students, and residents are invited to attend. A Zoom link will be available closer to the date of the event.
Bass Connections
Bass Connections is now accepting proposals for 2026-2027 projects that engage faculty, undergraduates and graduate/professional students in the interdisciplinary exploration of complex societal challenges. Please see the project proposal guidelines.
Climate and Health Course
Free Duke Coursera course for the Duke community: Climate and Health for Healthcare Professions.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
September: National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness month
October 9: Flu vaccination season launch
Cardiology Grand Rounds Begins
Cardiologist Bernard Gersh, MB, ChB, DPhil, adjunct professor in the Duke Department of Medicine, will kick off the Cardiology Grand Rounds on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Changing Approaches to Risk Stratification in Chronic Coronary Syndromes and Implications for Prevention with Dr. Bernard Gersh. 5 p.m., Duke North 2002 or via Zoom.
MMCVI Grand Rounds
Multi-Modality Cardiovascular Imaging Grand Rounds: A multi-imaging approach to cardiovascular disease cases. Thursdays, Noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.
Stead Tread 5K Run/Walk – September 20
Department of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program annual 5K. 9 a.m., at Solite Park in Durham.
The division with the most participants gets a trophy! Register or donate HERE. Sign up by September 1 to guarantee you will get an event T-shirt! Reach out to event planner Victor Ayeni (victor.ayeni@duke.edu) with any questions.
Get that trophy, Duke Cardiology!
Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium — October 4
This year’s symposium is designed to address emerging clinical questions in echocardiography, updated guideline recommendations, and new imaging modalities through case-based learning and practical applications. The 2025 agenda features expert-led sessions on updated ASE guidelines, coronary artery disease evaluation, strain imaging in cardiomyopathies, tricuspid valve disease, cardiac POCUS, and technical skills development through hands-on breakout sessions. Trent Semans Center, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To register, please visit https://duke.is/b/vd87.
2025 Triangle Heart Walk – October 11
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610.
Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.; “Welcome” program will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. The event venue will be open through 11 a.m.
New Faculty Orientation – October 13
The School of Medicine’s annual Academic New Faculty Orientation will be held Monday, October 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center.
To learn more and register, please visit https://duke.is/SOM-NFO.
Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection Opening – October 29
The collection opening celebration is scheduled for October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. To register, please visit: https://medicine.duke.edu/17th-annual-north-carolina-research-triangle-pulmonary-hypertension-symposium.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular at tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our team. Please call me with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
September 6 — Joseph Turek
Oman Observer via NYT syndicate
Doctors find early success with partial heart transplants
August 29 — Duke Health
Medthority
September 7 — Susan Spratt (Endocrinology)
Khaleej Times via NYT syndicate
Four surprising ways healthy heart habits benefit your whole body
September 7 — Renato Lopes
Eurasia Review
Positive Results Revealed From First Prospective Trial In Heart Failure Due To Chagas Disease
September 7 — Fawaz Alenezi
Conexiant/Cardiology
AI Accurately Flags HCM on Echo
September 8 — Sreekanth Vemulapalli
Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology
September 9 — Jennifer Rymer
Medpage Today
Don’t Pin Heart Attacks on Daylight Savings Time, Study Says
September 10 — Robert Lefkowitz
Medical Economics
Could a doctor draft improve physician leadership, research, and U.S. health care?
September 11 — Duke University (Heart study)
Cal Coast Times
New Study Reveals Daylight Saving Time Doesn’t Raise Heart Attack Risk
Duke Heart Pulse — September 7, 2025
Highlights of the week:
Applefeld, Narcisse Named Co-Directors, Cardiology Grand Rounds
We are excited to share that Drs. Willard Applefeld and Dennis Narcisse are now serving as our newest co-directors of Cardiology Grand Rounds.
Please let them know if you have suggested topics or speakers you would like them to consider inviting to present to us over the coming year. They can be reached at willard.applefeld@duke.edu and dennis.narcisse@duke.edu.
Congratulations, Willard and Dennis!
Bernard Gersh to Present CGR Opener
Cardiologist Bernard Gersh, MB, ChB, DPhil, adjunct professor in the Duke Department of Medicine, will kick off the first cardiology grand rounds of the year on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.
Gersh is Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a consultant in cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine. His past positions include the W. Proctor Harvey Teaching Professor of Cardiology and Chief of the Division of Cardiology at Georgetown University Medical Center. Gersh received his MB, ChB, from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Sept. 16 — Topic TBD with Dr. Bernard Gersh. 5 p.m., Duke North 2002 or via Zoom.
Palma Re-Elected to CAAHEP Board
Congratulations to Richie Palma, director of the Duke Cardiac Ultrasound Certificate Program! Palma was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Palma is also serving as the President of the North Carolina Ultrasound Society.
Great news, Richie!
Celebrating the Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection
Many of you know that Professor Emeritus in cardiology, Tom Bashore, MD, is a serious collector of historical medical devices and memorabilia. Upon his retirement last year, he donated the bulk of his collection to Duke University. His collection has been curated for display in the Rubenstein Library, and we are thrilled to announce that a celebration to open the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
Please join us in celebrating Tom and the Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection!
A New Addition to Duke Heart
A belated congratulations to Cara Hoke, MD, on the birth of her daughter, Harper, on June 24th. Both mom and baby are doing well! We send our warmest wishes to Cara and her family and look forward to meeting Harper very soon!
Reminder of Cardiology E-Consent Go-live:
Electronic consents will go-live in September for all of cardiology across all three Duke hospitals. A committee that included clinical providers has worked hard to make electronic consents easy and user-friendly.
Starting on the respective go-live dates, a new cardiology consent tab (“Cardiology e-consent”) will appear in EPIC, similar to the notes and orders tab. A provider can open that tab and create a consent. The only boxes that will need to be filled out are the attending physician performing the procedure and the type of procedure; from there, all the keywording will be filled in, and then signatures can be obtained. Signatures can be obtained on a desktop, phone, or tablet.
Go-live dates will be as follows:
- September 8th — Duke Regional Hospital
- September 15 — Duke Raleigh Hospital
- September 22 — Duke University Hospital
On the go-live date for each hospital, there will be in-person training for the e-consent process as well as videos and a PDF handout. Stacey Brower and Lisa McDonald are taking the lead on training.
DOM Annual Year in Review, Sept. 12
Join Department of Medicine Chair Dr. Kathleen Cooney, Vice Chairs Drs. Scott Palmer, and Julius Wilder for the Department of Medicine Annual Year in Review. September 12, 8-9 a.m., Duke South Amphitheater.
DUHS Updates:
The Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits this fall will be extended to three weeks to provide employees with more time to consider the options that best meet their needs. Open enrollment will be Oct. 6-24, 2025. Several changes are coming for 2026, including the move to Cigna Healthcare for the administration of all medical plans. To learn more, visit: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/enrollment/oe/.
Negotiations with Aetna continue as Duke works to protect our patients’ access to Duke Health and to advocate for appropriate reimbursement for the expert, complex care we provide. If Aetna does not agree to a new, fair contract, Duke Health will be out-of-network for patients with Aetna insurance starting Monday, October 20, 2025.
Scheduling Aetna Patients
We hope to have an agreement with Aetna before the termination date, and we are continuing to schedule and deliver care to our Aetna patients. As we approach our potential contract termination date, we are developing plans to prioritize open availability and reschedule patient appointments and procedures to minimize disruption to their care. This work will begin this coming week, and we will share details as plans are finalized.
Please visit Duke Health Now for more information, FAQs, and resources for patients who have questions.
Finally, the updated DUH visitation policy took effect on September 1, with visiting hours starting at 6 a.m.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
September: National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
October 9: Flu vaccination season launch
Stead Tread 5K Run/Walk – September 20
Department of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program annual 5K. 9 a.m., at Solite Park in Durham.
The division with the most participants gets a trophy! Register or donate HERE. Sign up by September 1 to guarantee you will get an event T-shirt! Reach out to event planner Victor Ayeni (victor.ayeni@duke.edu) with any questions.
Get that trophy, Duke Cardiology!
Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium — October 4
This year’s symposium is designed to address emerging clinical questions in echocardiography, updated guideline recommendations, and new imaging modalities through case-based learning and practical applications. The 2025 agenda features expert-led sessions on updated ASE guidelines, coronary artery disease evaluation, strain imaging in cardiomyopathies, tricuspid valve disease, cardiac POCUS, and technical skills development through hands-on breakout sessions. Trent Semans Center, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To register, please visit https://events.duke.edu/DukeCIS2025.
2025 Triangle Heart Walk – October 11
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610.
Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.; “Welcome” program will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. The event venue will be open through 11 a.m.
New Faculty Orientation – October 13
The School of Medicine’s annual Academic New Faculty Orientation will be held Monday, October 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center.
To learn more and register, please visit https://duke.is/SOM-NFO.
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. To register, please visit: https://medicine.duke.edu/17th-annual-north-carolina-research-triangle-pulmonary-hypertension-symposium.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular at tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our team. Please call me with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
August 29 — Duke Health
Reuters
August 30 — Robert Califf
JAMA Cardiology/Editorial
August 30 — Gerald Bloomfield
JAMA Cardiology/Editorial
WHO STEPS and the Future of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
September 1 — Renato Lopes
tctMD
AQUATIC: More Than 6 Months After PCI, Don’t Use Aspirin With OAC
September 1 — Renato Lopes
tctMD
PARACHUTE-HF: Sacubitril/Valsartan Effective in Neglected Chagas Cardiomyopathy
September 1 — Christopher Granger
tctMD
HI-PRO: Oral Apixaban for 1 Year Protective, Safe in Provoked VTE Patients
September 2 — Nenad Bursac
WPTF Afternoon News (92.9 FM/680 AM)
Dr. Nenad Bursac Professor of Cell Biology at Duke University
September 2 — Robert Califf
Breaking Med
Cardiovascular Hospitalizations Lower With High-Dose Flu Vaccine, Analysis Suggests
September 3 — Neha Pagidipati
Healio/Cardiology Today
Zilebesiran trial shows no significant impact on BP in high CV risk cohort
September 3 — Joseph Turek
Juta Medical Brief (Africa)
Partial heart transplant shows promise in heart disease – US study
September 4 — Duke Health (Heart)
Becker’s Hospital Review/Cardiology
Value-based care scores of US News’ top 50 heart hospitals
September 4 — Duke University (Heart)
Becker’s Hospital Review
Top 15 universities for cardiology: US News
September 4 — Manesh Patel
HCP Live
Updating the Hypertension Treatment Landscape With Manesh Patel, MD
September 4 — Tazeen Jafar (Duke-NUS Medical School)
tctMD
Home-Based Intervention Drops Blood Pressure in Rural South Africa
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