Cleveland Clinic Establishes Cardiovascular Genomics Initiative to Advance Precision Heart Care

Cleveland Clinic is establishing a new initiative in cardiovascular genomics that will integrate genomic information into clinical care and research to advance how heart disease is detected, prevented, and treated.

The new program will include two complementary components within the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute (HVTI):

• The Haslam-Bailey Family Section of Cardiovascular Genomics and Precision Medicine, which was created from a generous gift by the Haslam-Bailey families and will integrate clinical genomic testing, counseling, and interpretation into routine cardiovascular care, while serving as a platform to rapidly incorporate advances in genomic science into patient management.
• The Center for Cardiovascular Genomics and Data Sciences, which will lead investigative efforts in discovery genomics, genomic risk prediction, and translational science.

Together, these efforts will bring cutting-edge discoveries directly into patient care while advancing the next generation of precision cardiovascular medicine.

The new clinical section will care for patients across the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases where inherited risk may play a role – including heart failure and cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, lipid disorders, early heart attack, and aortic disease.

Providers will see patients with established conditions who may benefit from genetic testing, as well as those without disease but with a concerning family history or an identified genetic finding. This ensures that both patients and relatives can be evaluated, counseled, and guided toward appropriate testing or follow-up when relevant.

In addition, because this effort spans both clinical and investigative genomics, patients will have the opportunity to participate in the latest clinical trials. These include studies of new genetic-based therapies, screening strategies, and treatments designed to benefit people with certain inherited risks. Linking clinical care with active research will ensure that patients who want to contribute to – or benefit from – cutting-edge discoveries have direct access to do so.

“This is an important moment for both Cleveland Clinic and for the field of cardiovascular medicine,” said Samir Kapadia, M.D., chair of the Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. “Genomic medicine is rapidly evolving - new insights into genes and variants emerge constantly. Instead of waiting years for those advances to filter into practice, this integrated effort will help bring the most relevant updates directly into patient care. We want to express our utmost gratitude to the Macaulay and Haslam-Bailey families, whose generosity has made these programs possible.”

The enterprise-wide initiative will be led by Krishna G. Aragam, M.D., who will serve as director of both the Haslam-Bailey Family Section and the Center for Cardiovascular Genomics and Data Science. He will also serve as the inaugural holder of the William E. Macaulay Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Genomics.

“I am honored to join Cleveland Clinic at such a pivotal moment for genomic medicine,” said Dr. Aragam. “Our vision is to thoughtfully and strategically integrate genomic science into cardiovascular care, ensuring that it adds real value for patients across the spectrum of disease management – from prevention to diagnosis to treatment. Cleveland Clinic’s collaborative culture and commitment to innovation make this an ideal environment to turn that vision into reality.”

Image content: This image is available to view online.

View image online (https://assets.clevelandclinic.org/transform/37e78f6d-c2b7-477b-b28e-43d4879193ec/Aragam_Krishna)

Krishna G. Aragam, M.D.

Patients can call the heart center to schedule an appointment at 216-444-6697.

“Our multidisciplinary team approach will help Cleveland Clinic advance the next generation of cardiovascular care – where genomic information is part of how we understand risk, guide therapy, and improve outcomes for patients,” added Lars Svensson, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.

Dr. Aragam joins Cleveland Clinic from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, where he led multiple NIH- and foundation-supported programs in cardiovascular genomics. His work has identified key genomic contributors to heart failure and coronary artery disease and has helped shape emerging strategies for genomic risk assessment and precision prevention. He is widely recognized as a leader in precision cardiovascular medicine, with an extensive publication record and leadership roles in national and international research consortia.