Allegheny Health Network’s Allegheny General Hospital Recognized as Center of Excellence by Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Press Releases Allegheny General Hospital Cardiovascular Institute

PITTSBURGH - Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) academic medical center and flagship facility, Allegheny General Hospital, and its leading Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) have been recognized as an official Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association.

To be acknowledged as a Center of Excellence, teams must demonstrate a high level of expertise in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) across a significant volume of care. HCM Centers like AGH are recognized for their long-term health outcomes, adherence to industry guidelines, strong surgical programs and commitment to advancing treatment approaches through clinical research.

HCM is heart condition, typically inherited, that causes heart walls to become abnormally thickened. Over time, this thickening obstructs blood flow outside of the heart and patients become symptomatic. For many patients, this condition presents with symptoms like heart failure, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations and lightheadedness, especially during exercise.

A confirmed diagnosis of HCM takes place after routine cardiac testing, such as an echocardiogram and stress test. Treatment approaches vary, and may include medication regimens, lifestyle changes, implantable cardiac defibrillators, or other surgical procedures.

"The first line of treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is medication, and for the vast majority of patients, medication will work and manage the condition completely. However, for roughly 30 percent of patients, their condition becomes medication-resistant and surgical interventions are recommended," said Craig Alpert, MD, advanced heart failure cardiologist and medical director of the AHN Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program. "Today's recognition assures patients struggling with complex cardiovascular conditions that when they come to AHN, they are being cared for by some of the most elite cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in our area."

HCM impacts approximately one in 500 Americans and is a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest, especially among young athletes. Those at highest risk have a known family history of the condition.

A multidisciplinary team at AGH - consisting of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists, electrophysiologists, nutritionists, obstetricians, and behavioral health specialists - works together to customize safe and effective treatment plans for patients diagnosed with HCM.

"I'm so incredibly proud of our remarkable team of physicians, clinicians and caregivers that make this prestigious recognition possible," said Pietro Bajona, MD, PhD, cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy program. "They demonstrate daily their unwavering dedication to the most advanced therapies, insightful research and tailored treatment plans that ultimately result in an improved quality of life and longer life expectancy for our patients."

In addition to Drs. Bajona and Alpert, Victor Farah, MD,Jennifer Keeley, DNP and Kathleen Ridgeway, RN serve as clinical leaders of the HCM program at AGH.

For more information on the HCM program and the AHN Cardiovascular Institute, visit ahn.org

###

About HCMA:
The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, HCMA, was founded in 1996 as an international resource for patients, families and the medical community on matters of importance to the HCM community. HCM is a genetic heart muscle disorder affecting 1 in 250 people worldwide. The HCMA provides service to enhance understanding, provide support, foster research, ensure high quality health care and support public policies of importance to the community. The HCMA is a 501c(3) with offices in Denville, NJ and online at https://4hcm.org/