Diseases and Conditions We Treat - Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care

For more than 50 years, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care has been at the forefront in treating heart disease.

It is a tradition that began in 1957, when the medical center performed its first open-heart surgery, and has led to Montefiore becoming a nationally recognized hub of innovation and clinical excellence in the area of heart and vascular care.

Led by Robert E. Michler, MD, and Mario J. Garcia, MD, and backed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, Montefiore continues to make advances in the treatment of heart disease. Those advancements have continued in recent years with the creation of an adult congenital heart disease program; expanded programs in advanced cardiac imaging, heart failure and interventional cardiovascular medicine; and the assemblage of a highly experienced cardiothoracic surgical team.

Ever-evolving advancements at the Center have led to superior outcomes in the treatment of patients with the following heart diseases and conditions:

Heart and Vascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of illness and shortened life in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27.1 million Americans were diagnosed with heart disease in 2010.

Cardiovascular disease can stem from a number of different conditions, including the commonly known coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and heart failure; as well as conditions like heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, heart muscle disease, pericardial disease and vascular diseases such as peripheral vascular disease, aneurysms and dissection. Learn more about heart and vascular disease.

Heart Valve Disease

A damaged or diseased valve can severely compromise the heart's ability to pump efficiently. The causes of heart valve disease typically include degenerative diseases, congenital defects, rheumatic fever or endocarditis. These conditions can damage the heart valves, severely compromising their ability to work properly, eventually leading to arrhythmias and heart failure. Learn more about heart valve disease.