Experts from Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care Present at American Heart Association's Annual Meeting

Newswise — New York City, NY (November 8, 2011) Experts from The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care are available for interviews on topics ranging from the prevention and diagnosis of heart disease to treating heart failure during the annual American Heart Association conference in Orlando, Florida from November 12-16, 2011.

Robert Michler, MD and Mario J. Garcia MD, Co-Directors of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care, will host The Cardiology Alumni Welcome Reception on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 6 – 8PM.

The following experts are presenting during the Scientific Sessions and are available for interviews. All information is under embargo until time of presentation:

Simon Maybaum, MD, Medical Director of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Advanced Cardiac Therapy, is exploring whether high altitude simulation – a technique used by elite athletes to improve performance – can enhance exercise performance and increase endurance in heart failure patients. Patients are studied in sealed tents while breathing the air that mimics the thin air of mountain elevations. Dr. Maybaum’s findings (Presentation 16491) are embargoed until November 15, 2011 at 9:30AM. He is also presenting findings of a unique strategy where Montefiore physicians use mechanical heart pumps (LVADS) to rest and heal the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure awaiting heart transplant (Embargoed until Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at11AM, Presentation 17811)

Ileana Piña MD, Associate Chair of Academic Affairs and Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology and Population Health at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will be presenting on the topic of “Lessons Learned from the Heart Failure Action Trial” and moderating a session entitled "Effects of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health." Dr. Piña’s presentation on Heart Failure is under embargo until Tuesday, November 15 at 5.30PM. (CVS.220)

Jorge Romero, MD, Cardiology Fellow at Montefiore Medical Center, will be presenting on the topic of “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessing Viability in Patients with Chronic Ventricular Dysfunction due to Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Revascularization.” Under embargo until Monday, November 14 at 2.15PM. (AOS.109.01)

Ronald Zolty MD, practices interventional cardiology at Montefiore Medical Center and will be presenting on the topic of “Prostacyclin Levels in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Comparison Between Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Diastolic Heart Failure-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension,” (APS.723.02, Board #7202) and “Effect of Warfarin on Pulmonary Hypertension,” (APS.723.02, Board #7204) as well as “'Use of Beta Blockers in Heart Failure: The Impact of Race on the Efficacy of Beta Blocker Therapy.” (APS.211.06 Board #2051) Information is under embargo until Tuesday, November 15 at 9AM, Tuesday, November 15 at 9AM and Wednesday, November 16 at 9AM, respectively.

Other Montefiore Einstein Experts Available for Interviews:PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Mario J. Garcia, MD, Chief of Cardiology at Montefiore Medical Center & Co-Director of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care Dr. Garcia leads the team of specialists in the development and clinical advancement of cardiac diagnostic technology. In fact, his pioneering work with cardiac CT scans has led to the establishment of a new standard of care for diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. He has championed the use of heart ultrasound for detecting blood vessel blockage and other heart problems, as an alternative to cardiac catheterization. He uses cardiac MRI to evaluate conditions such as cardiac sarcoidosis, which can affect the heart's electrical signaling system, muscles and valves, and cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle becomes inflamed. He is also conducting clinical research which compares the use of cardiac-echo stress testing with cardiac CT scanning. With a dynamic combination of state-of-the-art digital equipment and highly skilled imaging experts, Dr. Garcia and his team can more accurately diagnose the full range of heart problems.

CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY: TOPICS INCLUDE COMPLEX CARDIAC SURGERY, MITRAL AND AORTIC VALVE SURGERY AND ANEURYSMS AND DISSECTION REPAIR

Robert Michler, MD, Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, and Surgeon-in-Chief at Montefiore Medical Center, as well as Co-Director of The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular CareDr. Michler, Surgeon-in-Chief and Professor and Chairman at The Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, leads a cardiothoracic surgery team in the development of techniques for the treatment of complex heart disease as well as the application of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He was among the first physicians in the U.S. to perform robotic bypass and mitral valve repair surgery. This work led to FDA approval for selective cardiac robotic procedures. He currently is investigating the application of one’s own cardiac stem cells to heal the injured heart. Dr. Michler is the founder of Heart Care International, a not- for- profit organization that treats children and educates surgeons on pediatric heart surgery in developing countries. Areas of interest include complex cardiac surgery, mitral and aortic valve surgery and aneurysms and dissection repair.

The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care is a national leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, providing innovative therapies and clinical best practices for adult and pediatric patients. The Center offers a range of services including cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, arrhythmia services and the most advanced surgical care for valve repair, aneurysms and heart failure. Montefiore physicians are also refining the use of mechanical assist devices, as well as robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. With an ongoing commitment to research in partnership with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Center is fostering breakthroughs in the genetics of heart disease, and the application of stem cells to treat heart disease. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) awarded the cardiac surgery program at Montefiore the highest rating of "three stars," placing it among the top such programs in the country.

Montefiore Medical CenterAs the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore is a premier academic medical center nationally renowned for its clinical excellence and scientific discovery; compassionate, patient-centered model of care; commitment to its community; and medical education, including the second largest residency program in the country. Montefiore is recognized among the top hospitals nationally and sixth out 180 in the New York metro area by U.S. News & World Report. The Children's Hospital at Montefiore has consistently ranked in U.S. News "Americas Best Children's Hospitals," and is second among those in the New York metro area. As an integrated health system, it is comprised of four hospitals, has nearly 1,500 beds and over 93,000 annual hospital discharges, and is seamlessly linked by advanced technology. State-of-the-art primary and specialty care is provided through a network of nearly 100 locations across the region, including the largest school health program in the nation and a home health program. Inspired by its patients and its community, Montefiore is on the frontlines of developing innovative approaches to care and is a national model for excellence.

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