The Center of Excellence: Redefining Specialized Care in HCM

In this episode of In the Thick of It, Dr. Betty Raman interviews Dr. Srihari Naidu, Director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Medical Center at Westchester Medical Center, to explore what truly defines a "Center of Excellence". Dr. Naidu shares how his philosophy has evolved from a structural focus on advanced imaging and surgical tools to a patient-centered approach that prioritizes individualized care and a multidisciplinary "heart team". The discussion highlights the critical role of specialized centers in navigating complex differential diagnoses—such as amyloidosis or mitochondrial HCM—and the importance of shared decision-making in sudden cardiac death risk stratification. Dr. Naidu also provides a practical roadmap for clinicians looking to establish regional HCM services, emphasizing the necessity of robust echo protocols and strong collaborative networks for advanced procedures.