UPMC Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center

About the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center

Personalized care, innovative treatment for a complex disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart condition characterized by abnormal thickening (“hypertrophy”) of the heart muscle, most often in the main pumping chamber called the left ventricle.

In HCM, the hypertrophy is due to disorganized muscle fibers, most likely present at birth. Thickening is progressive and can eventually obstruct outflow of blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Since symptoms of HCM range from chest pain to sudden cardiac death, early treatment is a necessity. There is no definitive cure for HCM, but most people are able to live long, healthy lives under the care of their doctors.

At UPMC's Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center, people with HCM have access to:

• Coordinated, state-of-the-art care for the diagnosis and treatment of this complex heart disease.
• Innovative treatment options based on the latest research protocols for HCM.
• A team of experts in HCM disease management, advanced cardiac imaging, and cardiovascular genetics.

Children with HCM can receive treatment at our clinic at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

Coordinated, state-of-the-art care in western Pennsylvania

People who have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have access to comprehensive, personalized treatment at the UPMC Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

When you come to the HCM Center, you receive advanced care and coordinated services all at one location.

Starting with the initial visit, you will meet with members of the HCM team for consultative, one-on-one services to develop your personalized treatment plan.

The Center's multidisciplinary team consists of:

• Cardiac electrophysiologists
• Cardiac interventionalists
• Cardiologists
• Cardiovascular geneticists and genetic counselors
• Cardiovascular imaging specialists
• Cardiovascular surgeons
• HCM specialty nurses

These appointments most often can be coordinated with diagnostic imaging and cardiology testing in the same clinic on the same day.

The UPMC HCM Center is a designated center of excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA), the only one of its kind in western Pennsylvania.

Research and advanced technology for improved patient care

The physicians and scientists at the HCM Center are actively involved in ongoing research to advance patient care and develop new treatment options based on the latest research protocols.

• Advanced Cardiac Imaging Program: Specialists use new diagnostic technologies, available at only a handful of centers in the world. State-of-the-art ultrasound systems include harmonic imaging, real time 3-D imaging, and tissue Doppler imaging. These technologies allow our physicians to obtain sophisticated measures of cardiac function that, in the past, could only be obtained using invasive procedures.
• The Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Center's 1.5 Tesla wide-bore system, allows physicians to image a broad range of patients comfortably. The Center uses the latest pulse sequences available, which allow precise characterization of the cardiac anatomy — critical information in the diagnosis and management of HCM.
• Cardiovascular Genetics Center: Specialists provide expertise in genetic diagnosis and counseling, as well as access to cutting-edge genetic research, for patients and their families.

Request an appointment today.