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Interview of Alexander Kharlamov, MD, EBM of the month, December 2021

Edited by Dr Anna Melidoni, Senior Editor

New Content ItemAM: Tell us a bit about yourself and your current focus of research.

AK: My biography includes 25 years of clinical experience in non-invasive cardiology, mainly in intensive therapy in Russia (since 1996; a Consultant Physician since 2007 and a Board-Certified Cardiologist since 2010), 20 years of translational research in nanomedicine and biomedical engineering (since 2001), and about 14 years of the bench-to-bedside studies in invasive cardiology (a leader of the research group since 2007). This includes imaging, vascular pathology, research and development of medical devices (bioresorbable scaffolds and stents). Since 2007-2009 I have been working as a researcher in institutions in the Netherlands (UMC St Radboud, Nijmegen; UMCG, Groningen; Erasmus MC, Rotterdam), cultivating the platform for the innovative business model (establishing De Haar Research Task Force in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Tallinn, Estonia). I am focused on five areas of biomedical research: advanced cardiovascular imaging in both non-invasive and interventional cardiology, bioresorbable scaffolds with sensors and nanoparticles, artificial womb and transhumanism, public health in cardiology and artificial intelligence, consciousness, and theory of everything (philosophy of science).

AM: What do you think is the most fascinating recent development in cardiovascular research/Cardiology?

AK: I trust that the most advanced and genuinely enchanting area in routine clinical practice today remains digital cardiology and progress in the effect of artificial intelligence. The discoveries and mathematical progress in machine learning imaging software substantially enhance the quality of the interpretation and, therefore, outcomes of the relevant clinical management. As partly an invasive cardiologist, I also still believe in the future of bioresorbable scaffolds. The idea of the physiological stenting of coronary arteries with the further dissolution of the implanted medical device will be stirring the minds for a long time until the success of that technological revolution. This idea looks even more attractive if we imagine this technology with the support of nanotechnology, which can increase both the mechanical properties of the scaffold and the controllability of biodegradation without talking about the management of the related arterial features.

AM: Is there an area of Cardiovascular biology/Cardiology that you think is currently under-explored?

AK: Sometimes we are prone to ignore some pathological mechanisms of the phenomena we expose and explore in daily clinical practice. There is a point for funding of such research, but science must always be honest, perfect, and serve our patients' interests despite specific difficulties. The bench research is critical, and there must be some vital feedback between clinical practice and basic research. We must pay more attention to the fundamental mechanisms we are dealing with, by developing robust and effective translational science.

AM: Where do you see (or where would you like to see) the cardiovascular/Cardiology research field 10 years from now?

AK:   I dream of the practical, completely non-invasive tools for comprehensive diagnostics, imaging, and subsequent prevention and therapy. It might be great to have one single pill or, for instance, a nano-robot to treat all the critical options in patients within the cardiovascular continuum concept. Furthermore, an advanced universal invasive tool is required. I cannot decline the dream of the sophisticated bioresorbable scaffold utilizing electronics and nanotechnologies for steerable mechanical properties, degradation, tracking, imaging, and so on. 

AM: Can you think of any collective initiatives that could support/speed up ‘bench to bedside’ research?

AK: There definitely must be a more strong policy regarding the grants or financial support from the national and European authorities. The contribution of the Industry remains very modest, though. The universities can create the hubs accumulating the financial input from Industry sponsoring the new ideas. I hold a hope that such a scenario is possible for private businesses. The overhead policy of the Universities is not adequate for the effective evolvement of science. The private company's common-sense approach based on sound business administration principles can optimize the economic strategy and make the science effective.

AM: What does it mean to you to be an Editorial Board Member for BMC Cardiovascular Disorders?

AK: The position allows me to be appropriately informed about the research ideas and inspirations that delight the colleagues' minds. This is a unique chance to explore the research practice globally and adjust my understanding of routine clinical practice and science. I can potentially contribute to improving the research quality and sharing the best existing achievements assisting the authors with the best scientific accomplishments.

AM: What is one piece of advice you would give to reviewers as an EBM overseeing peer review ?

AK: I would generally recommend learning how to become an expert in reviewing. This is not an easy task. There are a few training courses available online to get some knowledge in becoming a professional reviewer. We must be focused on both the scientific approach and the manuscript's quality. The published data can impair clinical practice and bring suffering to our patients. We are responsible to uphold the faith of the people in public health and must be careful in decision-making to prevent any complications improving our patients' quality of life. 

AM: What is one piece of advice you would give to prospective authors ?

AK: I am fostering high-quality fair perfectionism in science. It is typical for submitted papers to have many grammar errors and typos and sometimes the statistics' superficial vision. It is very critical to write a paper transparent enough for peers and readers with the justification of the statistical power and with good English to avoid any misunderstanding. The solid statistical approach and ample clearance regarding the scientific approach's design and content guarantee publishing success despite limitations.

AM: What would you change in scientific publishing if you could?

AK: Free-of-charge publishing in an excellent high-impact factor journal is any author's dream. Sometimes there is no budget to publish the paper. Moreover, the author can become a hostage of prejudice. The optimized approach for professional peer-reviewing and fair pricing of open access publishing guarantees the excellent quality of the published articles.