Advanced Cardiovascular Care Through Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Cardiogenetics Program

At Mount Sinai Medical Center, innovation in patient care often begins with collaboration. One of the newest examples of this commitment is the Cardiogenetic Multidisciplinary Conference, a program initiated shortly after establishment of Genetic department at MSMC in early 2024. The aim of this conference is to bring experts together from across specialties to better understand and treat inherited cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular conditions caused by genetic variants—such as cardiomyopathies, inherited arrhythmia syndromes, and aortic and connective tissue disorders—are increasingly recognized as major contributors to morbidity and sudden cardiac death. Managing these conditions requires expertise that spans cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, genetics, vascular surgery, radiology, and electrophysiology.

Recognizing this need, the medical center established the Cardiogenetic Multidisciplinary Program, currently the only program of its kind in Florida.

Our team of experts meet biweekly in a collaborative forum where complex cases are reviewed by a diverse team of specialists. Patients with suspected or confirmed inherited cardiovascular disorders are discussed with the goal of integrating clinical findings, genetic testing results, imaging data, and family history into a comprehensive care strategy. This multidisciplinary dialogue refines diagnoses, clarifies the clinical significance of genetic variants, and helps determine treatment strategies for patients and their families.

Genetics plays multiple essential roles in cardiac care, including establishing diagnoses, enabling family screening through cascade testing, guiding treatment decisions, and stratifying risk for adverse outcomes. The field encompasses both single-gene disorders and polygenic conditions, with genetic testing now integrated into standard clinical practice for many inherited cardiovascular diseases. Incorporating genetic insights helps clinicians move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach, enabling more precise, individualized management.

One area of particular focus within our program is heritable thoracic aortic disease, or aortopathy. Genetic aortopathies —including conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys–Dietz syndrome, and vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome—can predispose patients to progressive aortic dilation, aneurysm formation, and potentially life-threatening aortic dissection. Early identification of these conditions is critical because proactivity and timely intervention can dramatically reduce the risk of negative outcomes.

Through the Cardiogenetic Multidisciplinary Conference at Mount Sinai Medical Center, patients with suspected inherited aortic disease are evaluated through a comprehensive lens. With continued support from the Genetics, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Radiology, and Cardiology departments, experts collaborate to determine the underlying genetic conditions, guide medical therapy, and establish individualized strategies. Genetic results also allow us to identify relatives who may carry the same predisposition, enabling cascade screening and early preventive care for family members who may otherwise remain undiagnosed.

Beyond patient management, the conference fosters education and innovation. Physicians, trainees, and allied health professionals gain exposure to emerging knowledge in cardiovascular genetics, while discussions generate new opportunities for clinical investigation. The conference also provides Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit, supporting ongoing professional development and maintaining up-to-date clinical competencies. This collaborative environment strengthens MSMC’s capacity to deliver precision medicine and positions the institution at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field.

For patients and families, the impact is profound. Inherited cardiovascular conditions frequently affect multiple generations, and timely identification of genetic risk can be lifesaving. Through coordinated expertise and thoughtful discussion, the cardiogenetics program aims to ensure that each patient receives personalized care informed by the latest scientific understanding.

As the field of cardiovascular genetics continues to advance, programs like the Cardiogenetic Multidisciplinary program will play an essential role in translating genetic insights into better outcomes for patients and their families.

Mount Sinai continues, with the generous support of our philanthropic family, to expand specialized care, pursue research, and train the next generation of physician-scientists dedicated to improving cardiovascular health.

Together, we are building a future in which precision medicine and collaborative care redefine what is possible in cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.