Cardiology Awarded ACHA Actelion Training Grant
The Divisions of Cardiology (Medicine and Pediatrics) have been chosen to receive a national Adult Congenital Heart Association Actelion Training Award/Grant to develop an Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) fellowship at Montefiore/CHAM, directed by ACHD expert Dr. Ali Zaidi.
Preventing Dangerous Plaques
Dr. Nicholas Sibinga was awarded a 4-year, $2.1-million NIH grant to study the molecular mechanisms controlling the activities of monocyte-derived macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells that contribute to arterial plaque formation and rupture.
Heart Failure Help - Preventing Hospital Readmissions
Dr. Ileana Piña's research focuses on exercise training for treating heart failure and on hospital strategies that could help reduce 30-day readmission rates for heart failure patients.
Lowering Bad Cholesterol: Understanding the New Class of LDL-Lowering Drugs
A new class of injectable LDL-lowering drugs may come to market shortly. Dr. Anna Bortnick explains how the new drugs work and how they differ from statins.
Targeted Medical Care for Expectant Mothers With Heart Disease
Established in February 2015 by Dr. Anna Bortnick and Dr. Diana Wolfe, the Montefiore Maternal Fetal Medicine-Cardiology Joint Program is an inter-professional referral center for high-risk pregnant patients with cardiac disease.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research: Passing the "Grandma Test"
Dr. Jessica Peña writes of her experience in the newly created Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) training program at Einstein, a nascent research field aimed at answering questions that matter to patients, their families, and other stakeholders and involving them throughout the research process.
New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation During Hospitalization
Cardiology fellow Dr. Daniel Massera discusses his study entitled "New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation During Hospitalization is Associated with Increased Short- and Long-Term Risk of Stroke and Mortality".
Dr. Cynthia Taub to Serve on ASE Board of
Directors
Dr. Cynthia Taub has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the
American Society of Echocardiography.
Pill vs. Procedure
In Dr. Luigi Di Biase's new multicenter study of more than 200 patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation provided superior long-term results versus the most commonly prescribed medicine.
Dulguun Amgalan and Prameladevi Chinnasamy Awarded AHA Predoctoral Fellowships
Graduate students Dulguun Amgalan and Prameladevi Chinnasamy have been awarded American Heart Association (AHA) Predoctoral Fellowships to support their ongoing work in the laboratories of Dr. Richard Kitsis and Dr. Nicholas Sibinga.
Dr. Evripidis Gavathiotis and Dr. Richard Kitsis Receive AHA Collaborative Sciences Award
Drs. Evripidis Gavathiotis and Richard Kitsis have received the NCRP Winter 2015 Collaborative Sciences Award, a three-year award supporting their study entitled "BAX as a small molecule therapeutic target for myocardial infarction".
Faculty Appointments and Promotions
The Department of Medicine extends its warmest congratulations to Drs. Julia Shin and Richard Luciariello, who were among the Department of Medicine faculty members appointed or promoted in the past year.
V.S. Srinivas, MB, BS
The Department of Medicine mourns the loss of Dr. V.S. Srinivas, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine (Cardiology), who died Wednesday, March 11 following a protracted illness.
Dr. Richard Kitsis Named 2014 AAAS Fellow
Dr. Richard Kitsis was one of six faculty members at Einstein to be named Fellow of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.
More is More in Ablation for Ventricular Arrhythmia
A recent study presented by Dr. Luigi Di Biase and colleagues found that taking a broader approach to treat ventricular arrhythmias with cardiac ablation resulted in lower recurrence rates, re-hospitalizations, and deaths.
Are Cardiologists Refusing to Follow New Cholesterol
Recommendations?
This article on new cholesterol treatment recommendations highlights a case study presented by Robert Ostfeld, M.D.,
director, Cardiac Wellness Program, at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting that showed a patient who went on a
plant-based diet effectively lowered his cardiovascular risks without taking statins.
Dr. John Fisher to Receive Heart Rhythm Society Distinguished Service Award
Dr. John Fisher has been selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Heart Rhythm Society, one of four major awards given in recognition of an individual who has made outstanding contributions.
Can the shape of the left atrial appendage affect stroke risk?
A recent study presented by Dr. Luigi Di Biase has identified a strong link between the morphology of the upper left portion of the heart and the occurrence of stroke and/or TIA in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Halting Heart-Stopping Arrhythmias
Dr. Thomas McDonald and scientists at the Montefiore Einstein Center for CardioGenetics (MECC) study the genetic underpinnings of congenital heart rhythm abnormalities.
Continuous Warfarin Therapy for Patients Undergoing Catheter Ablation
Performing a catheter ablation without discontinuing a patient’s warfarin and avoiding the heparin "bridge" significantly reduces the occurrence of stroke and bleeding complications, according to a recent study by Dr. Luigi Di Biase.
The Plant-Based Lifestyle Is the Best Medicine I've Ever Prescribed
"Outside of an emergency medical condition that requires an urgent intervention, I have never seen anything come close to providing the breadth and depth of benefits that this lifestyle offers": Dr. Robert Ostfeld describes the overwhelming benefits of embracing a whole-foods, plant-based diet.
AHA’s 2013 Chairman’s Award: Ileana Piña
Ileana L. Piña, M.D., Associate Chief, Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care, discusses the Chairman’s Award for volunteerism she recently received from the American Heart Association and what motivated her to become a volunteer. Dr. Piña is the first Hispanic and first female to win the award.
Piña is First Hispanic and Female honored by American Heart Association for Volunteerism
Dr. Ileana Piña was the first Hispanic and female to win the Chairman’s Award for volunteerism from the American Heart Association for her dedication to educating the community about heart health across diverse populations.
Treating AF: Reducing Stroke Risk With Ablation
Dr. Ileana Piña interviews Dr. Hugh Calkins from Johns Hopkins University on the effect of catheter ablation on reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Following Genetic Clues to Stop Pancreatic Cancer
Drs. Evripidis Gavathiotis and Harry Ostrer are studying genetic variants and signaling pathways of pancreatic cancer to identify potential drug targets and prevent tumor growth and spread.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Researchers Explore the Complexity of Pancreatic Cancer
Drs. Richard Kitsis and Steven Libutti have teamed to better understand the consequences of the genetic defect that causes the islet tumors that characterize multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) pancreatic cancer.
Depression in Heart Failure: What Helps?
Dr. Ileana Piña talks about depression in heart failure and its effect on health status.
Five Things You May Not Know About Afib
Dr. Andrew Krumerman explains what causes atrial fibrillation and discusses ways to prevent the common heart arrhythmia.
Stopping the Heart Failure Patient Bounce-Back
Dr. Ileana Piña discusses ways to reduce 30-day readmission rates for heart failure.
First Epicardial Ablation Performed at Weiler
A complex procedure recently added to the Arrhythmia Program could greatly benefit patients with heart arrhythmias throughout the Bronx and Westchester.
New Heart Failure Guidelines--They Just Get Better
Dr. Ileana Pina discusses highlights of the long-awaited ACC/AHA heart failure guidelines.
Kitsis to Deliver ISHR President's Lecture
Dr. Richard Kitsis will present this year's President's Lecture at the International Society for Heart Research World Congress.
Ahmed Awarded Research Prize
Division of Cardiology Dr. Akbar Ahmed was among five members of the Department of Medicine who were awarded research prizes at the 18th annual Montefiore Young Investigators Symposium.
A Traditional Mediterranean Diet May Prevent Heart Attacks, Strokes, And Deaths From Heart Disease
Dr. Robert Ostfeld comments on a recent study that found benefits to eating a Mediterranean diet, and discusses the value of embracing a whole-food, plant-based diet to reduce heart disease.
How Heart Health Affects Hispanic Women
Julie Ramos, M.D., provides facts, figures and information about heart disease as part of Montefiore’s efforts during February’s American Heart Month.
Heart Failure
Dr. Richard Kitsis on diagnosing heart failure, hopes for new treatments, and how medical advances have improved heart attack survival rates but paradoxically led to an increased incidence of heart failure.
A New Start
Dr. Mario Garcia details one patient's journey from heart attack and heart failure to a successful heart transplant.
Heart Disease and Heart Attack
Dr. Ileana Pina discusses risks of heart disease and signs of heart attack, particularly in women.
Escaping the Executioner Protein
Manipulation of the BAX protein could be a key factor in preventing heart muscle cell death.
The Value of Valve Repair
A recent study by Dr. Daniel Spevack measured the left ventricle after surgery to correct mitral regurgitation and confirmed its positive and lasting effects.
The Genetics of Sudden Death
Dr. Thomas McDonald's discovery of genetic mutations in sudden-death victims could save the lives of their family members.
Preventing Heart Disease
Dr. Mario Garcia discusses easy steps Americans can take to prevent heart disease.
Preventing Heart Disease (BronxNet-TV, June 27)
Dr. Robert Ostfeld discussed ways to prevent heart disease and Montefiore's new Cardiac Wellness Center.
Anticoagulation in heart failure (theheart.org, June 19)
Dr Ileana Piña discusses the findings of the WARCEF trial with Dr Shunichi Homma (Columbia University).
If You're Overweight with Normal Blood Pressure (QualityHealth.com, April 30)
Dr. Robert Ostfeld, on problems caused by obesity even if blood pressure is normal.
Garcia, Greenberg Among 2012 Best Doctors
Drs. Mario Garcia and Mark Greenberg were among Montefiore physicians recognized as top doctors in New York Magazine's "Best Doctors" 2012 issue.
The Model Team for Valvular Heart Disease
Drs. Mario Garcia and Robert Michler were interviewed in a cover feature profile of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care for the MD News (Lower Hudson/Bronx).
An Increase in Cardiac Catheterization Procedures (The Daily Iowan, April 25)
Mark Menegus, MD, Interventional Cardiology, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, discusses the development of new procedures that have advanced the use of cardiac catheterization.
Heart Failure Review from American College of Cardiology Conference (theheart.org, April 23)
Dr. Ileana Pina continues her review of developments from the recent American College of Cardiology Conference.
Anticoagulate in Heart Failure (Medscape Today News, April 19)
Dr. Ileana Pina discusses the use of anticoagulants in heart failure patients.
Her Life Saved by a Donated Heart, She Crusades to Get Others to Donate Organs (New York Daily News, April 13)
Montefiore heart transplant recipient Roxanne Watson, profiled in a full-page "Great People" column, on her efforts to encourage people to sign up for organ donation.
Physicians' Groups Say Stop Unnecessary Medical Tests (WABC-TV, April 4)
Dr. Mario Garcia commented on recommendations to avoid unnecessary medical testing.
Physicians' Groups Say Stop Unnecessary Medical Tests (Fox-TV American Newsroom, April 5)
Dr. Robert Ostfeld participated in a discussion of recommendations by nine physicians' organizations on eliminating routine medical tests when they're unnecessary for the patient's well-being.
Many Heart Attacks Don’t Cause Chest Pain (NY Times, February 22, 2012)
The New York Times' "Well" blog interviews Dr. Mario Garcia about a new study that shows more than one-third of patients taken to hospitals for heart attacks do not experience its hallmark symptom, sudden chest pain.
Frangogiannis to Hold Cardiovascular Medicine Chair
Dr. Nikolaos Frangogiannis has been named the Edmond J. Safra/Republic National Bank Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine.
Cardiology Faculty Recognition Highlights
Dr. Mario Garcia has been elected as a board member of the ABIM and to serve on the American College of Cardiology's ACCF Task Force.
Cardiology Physicians Rank as "New York Super Doctors" 2011
Cardiology faculty members were among the 31 Montefiore Einstein Department of Medicine faculty chosen for the Super Doctors listing of outstanding physicians.
Mario Garcia becomes chief of cardiology at Montefiore
Dr. Mario J. Garcia has been named codirector of the Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, chief of cardiology in the department of medicine, and professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY.
Dr. Mario Garcia: Offering Insight Into the Heart
In the world of academic medicine, Dr. Mario Garcia is known as a triple threat – a physician who also is an investigator and an educator.
2010 Davidoff Society Inductees
Jay Meisner and Robert Ostfeld were among the five Medicine faculty members elected to the Leo M. Davidoff Society this year in recognition of their excellence in teaching of medical students.
Medicine Welcomes New Cardiology Chief
Mario J. Garcia, MD joins the Department of Medicine as Chief of Cardiology, Professor of Radiology, Co-Director of the Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, and the Pauline Levitt Endowed Chair in Medicine.
BARI 2D: Practicality Prevails
While seemingly tame and old-fashioned, "eat right, quit smoking, and take your medicine" could be the best weapon yet for treating the world's unprecedented diabetes pandemic, according to findings from BARI 2D and investigators V.S. Srinivas and Joel Zonszein.
Greenberg Appointed Interim Cardiology Chief
Mark Greenberg, Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, has been appointed Interim Chief of Cardiology.
Cardiology Opens New Women's Heart Health Center
The Division of Cardiology announces the opening of its Women’s Heart Health Center, offering medical management, clinical care, and education for women of all ages.
Srinivas Awarded Interventional Cardiology Training Grant
V. S. Srinivas was awarded the Abbott Fund Fellowship Grant for Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Medicine.
Recent Faculty Accomplishments
Robert Ostfeld and V.S. Srinivas are among Medicine faculty members recognized for excellence in research and mentoring.
Maybaum Finds Hope in Dope
Muscle-bulking clenbuterol and high-altitude simulation may benefit patients with chronic heart failure, according to Simon Maybaum.
Weiler EP Performs First Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
On June 18, 2008 the east campus Cardiology Electrophysiology group, led by Eugen Palma, performed the first radiofrequency catheter ablation at the newly equipped lab at Weiler Hospital.
Palma Appointed Director of Weiler Arrhythmia Service
Eugen C. Palma, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine (Cardiology), was appointed Director of the Weiler Arrhythmia Service.
