PODCAST · health
Don't Just Read the Abstract
by Richard Buka
Want to stay up-to-date on the very latest developments in medical haematology? Don't have the time or skills to critically appraise important papers? Join Pip and Rich, two haematology doctors on a journey of learning and discovery. They will discuss seminal trials, critically appraising papers and interview authors and subject experts. This podcast helps you to go beyond the abstract, delving deep into the methods, results, sub-analyses, and implications. Interviews with authors gives a real-life perspective on the running of a clinical trial allowing explanations of why they did what they did and good honest discussion on limitations and how they might do it differently next time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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The data clinic: an interview with Dr Noma Tshuma
On this episode, Pip and Rich talk to Dr Noma Tshuma, a haematology registrar and Clinical Research Fellow + PhD student at the University of Cambridge. During her time as an AI fellow at University College London Hospitals, Noma developed the Data Clinic, a structure through which clinical...
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HI-PEITHO: Does catheter-directed fibrinolysis improve outcomes in intermediate-risk PE?
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss HI-PEITHO, a randomised controlled trial of catheter-directed fibrinolysis in patients presenting with intermediate risk PE. This was an industry-sponsored trial. Patients could be included if they had a ratio of RV:LV end diastolic diameter of ≥1.0 and an...
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C-TRACT: does venous stenting make a difference in post-thrombotic syndrome?
In this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the C-TRACT trial: Vedantham et al. Endovascular Therapy for Post-Thrombotic Syndrome — A Randomized Trial. 2026 N Engl J Med 2026;394:2293-2304 C-TRACT (Chronic Venous Thrombosis: Relief with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Therapy) was a phase 3, publicly...
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Is emicizumab finished? The FRONTIER2 trial of the novel bispecific antibody, denecimig (Mim8) for haemophilia A
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the FRONTIER2, the phase 3 trial of Mim8 (denecimig) for prophylaxis in haemophilia A with or without inhibitors. They review the study design, efficacy and safety results, and consider where Mim8 may fit into the rapidly evolving haemophilia treatment...
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Using AI to identify hospital acquired thrombosis
On this episode, Pip and Rich chat to Consultant Haematologist, Dr Kate Musgrave and Thrombosis Nurse Specialist, Vicky Marr about how they developed and implemented a natural language processing model that identifies cases of hospital acquired thrombosis. Implementing this strategy in their...
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Apixaban vs rivaroxaban: the trial we've all been waiting for
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the COBRRA trial: Castellucci et al. Bleeding Risk with Apixaban vs. Rivaroxaban in Acute Venous Thromboembolism. NEJM. 2026. The trial showed a convincing reduction in clinically relevant bleeding in patients treated with apixaban (3.3% vs 7.1%) and no...
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ENERGIZE: Mitapivat in thalassaemia
Following its recent US FDA approval, on this episode, Pip and Rich discuss mitapivat, an allosteric activator of red-cell pyruvate kinase. They focus on ENERGIZE, a randomised controlled trial of mitapivat vs placebo (2:1) randomisation in people living with transfusion dependent thalassaemia.…
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Ianalumab for ITP: VAYHIT2
On this episode, Pip and Rich VAY-HIT2, a trial recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This study randomised patients with relapsed/refractory ITP after first line corticosteroids to eltrombopag + ianalumab or placebo. As the thrombopoietin receptor agonists such as…
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Highlights of 2025 (Episode 2)
In this second of a two-part episode, Pip and Rich discuss their highlights of 2025. They discuss a wide range of developments across medical haematology with a focus on red cells disorders and a bit less naval gazing than the first episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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Highlights of 2025 (Episode 1)
In this first of a two-part episode, Pip and Rich discuss their highlights of 2025. They discuss a wide range of developments across medical haematology with a focus on bleeding disorders and immuno-haematology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Does anyone care about idiopathic and secondary polycythaemia? We do!
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss two of their recent publications on idiopathic and secondary polycythaemia. The first is an audit across two large hospitals in the Midlands. The team screened over 2000 patients who had had a JAK2 mutation screen performed, eventually finding 266 with...
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Rebalancing haemostasis with marstacimab - an discussion about the BASIS trial
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the BASIS trial which investigated the efficacy of the rebalancing agent marstacimab in people living with haemophilia. Marstacimab is an inhibitor of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and works by tipping the balance of clotting towards coagulation and...
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BSH President Dr Sue Pavord: An Interview
In this episode, Pip and Rich chat to Dr Sue Pavord, current President of the British Society of Haematology. Over the last 18 months Dr Pavord has led from the front with serious work on defining liaison haematology, paving the way for this to be formally incorporated into haematologists' job...
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DJRTA Newsletter #2
Pip and Rich preview their second Don't Just Read the Abstract newsletter. This week, the newsletter focuses on the work that the British Society for Haematology have being doing on workforce planning and liaison haematology in particular. If you would like to read Dr Sue Pavord's BSH message you...
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Intervention for Intermediate-High Risk PE
When Dr Peter Douglas listened to our episode on the PEERLESS trial (S1, Ep12), he began to develop a funny sensation in his chest. Emailing us he wrote: "Your commentary on this paper lead me to develop the signs and symptoms of submassive PE. I am an interventional radiologist who has spent the...
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Introducing the DJRTA Newsletter
In this 5 minute episode, Pip and Rich introduce the brand new Don't Just Read the Abstract Newsletter, a twice monthly update on all things medical haematology. Covering latest developments and publications in haemostasis, thrombosis, transfusion, immunohaematology, and red cell haematology, the...
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HI-PRO: Apixaban for Extended Treatment of Provoked Venous Thromboembolism
On this episode, Pip and Rich discuss Piazza et al. Apixaban for Extended Treatment of Provoked Venous Thromboembolism, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August 2025. This trial randomised 600 patients with VTE provoked by a transient risk factor but who also had at least one...
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API-CAT: Author interview with Prof. Isabelle Mahé
Prof. Isabelle Mahé is a cardiologist, triallist, and Professor of Internal Medicine Paris Cité University, France. She recently led the API-CAT study, a randomised controlled trial of apixaban 2.5 mg BD vs 5 mg BD for treatment of patients with cancer associated venous thromboembolism after 6...
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API-CAT: Extended Reduced-Dose Apixaban for Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism
In this episode, Pip and Rich go beyond the abstract of the API-CAT study, a randomised controlled trial of apixaban 5 mg BD vs 2.5 mg BD in patients with cancer-associated PE or DVT who have completed 6 months of anticoagulation. The study reported non-inferiority for low-dose apixaban in terms…
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LUNA3: Rilzabrutinib for ITP
In this episode of Don't Just Read the Abstract, Pip and Rich critically appraise LUNA3, a 2:1 randomised controlled trial of rilzabrutinib vs placebo in adults with persistent or chronic ITP. This is the first therapy to prove an improvement in fatigue in ITP, but does it live up to expectation?...
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Haematology in The Gambia with Dr Megan Kell
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...
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Efanesoctocog alfa for severe haemophilia A: expert perspective with Dr Susie Shapiro
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...
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Efanesoctocog alfa - a very long half life factor VIII
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. HaemSTAR is...
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BSH Day 2
Pip and Rich discuss the happenings from day 2 of the British Society of Haematology Annual Scientific Meeting. HaemSTAR is an independent UK-wide network of registrars in clinical haematology, interested in promoting and performing research in classical haematology. Our focus is on collaborative...
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BSH Day 1
On this show, Pip and Rich discuss the first day of BSH, focusing on medical haematology. HaemSTAR is an independent UK-wide network of registrars in clinical haematology, interested in promoting and performing research in classical haematology. Our focus is on collaborative projects across...
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Preview of BSH 2025: a focus 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. HaemSTAR is an independent UK-wide network of registrars in clinical haematology, interested in...
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PEERLESS - Management of Acute Intermediate-Risk PE
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...
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AI powered ultrasound for DVT - an interview with CEO of ThinkSono, Fouad Al Noor
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…
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Iptacopan for PNH
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...
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Plasma exchange free treatment of TTP: Author Discussion
In this episode, Pip and Rich discuss plasma exchange free treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with Dr Lucas Kuhne and Professor Paul Brinkoetter, authors of a recent study in Blood: Kühne et al. Management of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura without therapeutic plasma...
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Plasma exchange free treatment of TTP
In this episode, Rich and Pip discuss a paper a German/Austrian study published in Blood: Kühne et al. Management of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura without therapeutic plasma exchange. The study is an observational, retrospective study reporting outcomes of patients with TTP who were...
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Exa-cel for severe sickle cell disease
In this episode, Rich and Pip discuss gene therapy for sickle cell disease, focusing on Frangoul et al. Exagamglogene Autotemcel for Severe Sickle Cell Disease, NEJM 2024. HaemSTAR is an independent UK-wide network of registrars in clinical haematology, interested in promoting and performing...
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ANNEXA-I: Discussion with Dr Will Lester
In this episode, Pip and Rich discuss ANNEXA-I with Dr Will Lester, consultant haematologist at University Hospitals Birmingham. ANNEXA-I was a randomised controlled trial of andexanet alfa for reversal of anti-FXa oral anticoagulants in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage. There's a lot to…
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ANNEXA-I
In this episode, Rich and Pip discuss the ANNEXA-I trial (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2313040). This was a randomised controlled trial of andexanet alfa, a decoy factor Xa molecule that is a reversal agent for oral factor Xa inhibitors. Patients were randomised to andexanet alfa…
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VITT, HIT, and spontaneous syndromes
In this episode, Rich and Pip discuss vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. They critique a recent paper that has shown that VITT has been around before vaccines against Covid-19. Importantly, they discuss which patients should be tested for...
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Efgartigimod for ITP
In this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the ADVANCE IV trial: Efficacy and safety of the neonatal Fc receptor inhibitor efgartigimod in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia: a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. With the help of Professor of Immunohaematology, Prof....
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FRAIL-AF
In this episode, Pip and Rich discuss the FRAIL-AF study: Joosten et al. Safety of Switching From a Vitamin K Antagonist to a Non–Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant in Frail Older Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results of the FRAIL-AF Randomized Controlled Trial. Circulation....
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The PACER trial
In this, the first episode Drs Pip Nicolson and Rich Buka take a deep dive into the PACER trial: Platelet Transfusion before CVC Placement in Patients with Thrombocytopenia. After a quick round up of other trials that have sparked their interest, Pip and Rich discuss about the study aims and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Want to stay up-to-date on the very latest developments in medical haematology? Don't have the time or skills to critically appraise important papers? Join Pip and Rich, two haematology doctors on a journey of learning and discovery. They will discuss seminal trials, critically appraising papers and interview authors and subject experts.
This podcast helps you to go beyond the abstract, delving deep into the methods, results, sub-analyses, and implications. Interviews with authors gives a real-life perspective on the running of a clinical trial allowing explanations of why they did what they did and good honest discussion on limitations and how they might do it differently next time.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Richard Buka
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Don't Just Read the Abstract have?
Don't Just Read the Abstract currently has 38 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Don't Just Read the Abstract about?
Want to stay up-to-date on the very latest developments in medical haematology? Don't have the time or skills to critically appraise important papers? Join Pip and Rich, two haematology doctors on a journey of learning and discovery. They will discuss seminal trials, critically appraising papers...
How often does Don't Just Read the Abstract release new episodes?
Don't Just Read the Abstract has 38 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Don't Just Read the Abstract?
You can listen to Don't Just Read the Abstract on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Don't Just Read the Abstract?
Don't Just Read the Abstract is created and hosted by Richard Buka.
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