Inside AHN’s Center of Excellence for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Physicians across western Pennsylvania can refer patients to AHN’s multidisciplinary Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Program at AHN Allegheny General Hospital (AGH). Recognized by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) in 2023, the program is one of the region’s few HCM Centers of Excellence, providing highly specialized, coordinated care close to home.

Multidisciplinary care for complex disease

HCM affects approximately 1 in 500 individuals globally and is characterized by unexplained myocardial hypertrophy, most commonly of the left ventricle.* Clinical presentation varies widely, ranging from asymptomatic cases to exertional symptoms, heart failure, or life-threatening arrhythmias.

“HCM is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis,” said Victor Farah, MD, medical director of AHN’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program. “Its diverse manifestations require coordinated, multidisciplinary care.”

Rather than referring patients to individual specialists across separate locations or health systems, AHN brings the necessary expertise into one collaborative program, from diagnosis to long-term management.

AHN’s team approach to HCM care

To deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care, AHN’s HCM Program brings together a highly specialized, collaborative team, including:

• Advanced heart failure specialists
• Advanced cardiac imaging specialists
• Electrophysiologists
• Interventional cardiologists
• Cardiothoracic surgeons
• Genetic counselors
• Clinical pharmacists
• Registered dietitians
• Licensed social workers

This integrated team approach ensures that each aspect of the patient's condition — clinical, genetic, procedural, and psychosocial — is addressed with expert care.

Leading the region in advanced HCM treatment options

AHN’s HCM Program offers a full spectrum of advanced therapies, guided by the latest clinical guidelines and innovations. Each patient receives an individualized care plan developed through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Treatment options include:

• Medical management, including the use of Cardiac Myosin Inhibitors (CMI)
• Genetic screening and clinical surveillance for first-degree relatives
• Sudden cardiac death risk assessment
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD)
• Catheter-based therapies like alcohol septal ablation
• Surgical septal myectomy
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation
• Cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle modification support
• Heart transplantation — with AHN consistently achieving nationally leading survival outcomes**
• Access to clinical trials and emerging therapies

Ongoing collaboration with referring providers

Following treatment, AHN HCM specialists continue to partner with referring physicians to provide long-term follow-up, patient education, and supportive care resources, ensuring continuity and quality in disease management.

When to refer

Early evaluation by a specialized HCM team is critical to optimizing outcomes and preventing complications. Please consider referring patients to AHN’s HCM Program if they have unexplained etiology for left ventricular hypertrophy, suspected or confirmed HCM on cardiac imaging (e.g., echocardiogram or cardiac MRI), or a family history of HCM or sudden cardiac death.

Prompt referral ensures timely diagnosis, risk stratification, and access to individualized care plans aligned with current best practices. 

How to refer

Initial evaluations, including consultation, diagnostics, and treatment planning, are conducted at AGH. Same-day evaluations are often available to expedite care.

Our team will coordinate all aspects of the initial workup and maintain close communication with referring providers throughout the patient's care journey.

To refer a patient, please contact the AHN Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program directly at 412-358-4869.