Q: What are the most common conditions you treat among international patients?
As a heart doctor, I care for adults with many different types of heart problems. The most common conditions I see are:
My team and I also focus on preventing heart disease, particularly for people with a family history of it. We offer counseling and testing to help patients understand their overall risk for developing heart conditions and what they can do to help minimize some of that risk.
Q: How do international patients find their way to your care?
I've been taking care of patients since the early 1990s, and during that time, I've had the chance to help people in need all over the world. This has allowed me to build connections with doctors in different countries. Patients are often referred through these connections.
As the medical director for International Patient Services, I also help organize care for patients from outside the country who come to us because they’ve heard about our expertise in treating heart disease and other conditions from colleagues, friends, or family members.
Q: What are some of the most challenging heart cases you've treated?
Sometimes, patients come to us for one specific issue, but we find out they have other, sometimes more complex, problems. For instance, we had a patient who was initially referred to us for atrial fibrillation, but later we discovered she also had cancer. This discovery influenced her treatment plan.
At Mass General Brigham, providers from different specialties work closely together to provide comprehensive treatment while also communicating with the patient’s care team back home. We leverage our collective expertise not just to treat the condition the patient was referred for, but to ensure we treat the patient as a whole and address all areas of their health so they have the best possible care and results.
Q: Why do international patients choose Mass General Brigham for heart care?
We are home to many esteemed cardiologists who have developed treatments for heart conditions that are now used worldwide.
We have over 100 years of experience and a team of more than 300 heart specialists; we are committed to ongoing innovation in treatments, procedures, and techniques.
We have state-of-the-art facilities that allow us to perform all diagnoses and treatments in house, including imaging, pathology, inpatient care, and specialized procedures across all areas of cardiology.
The International Patient Services team is dedicated to supporting patients from around the world. We have dedicated spaces specifically designed for international patients. Our patient liaisons coordinate all aspects of their care between their care team at home and their team in Boston.
Q: What are the latest advancements in treating heart disease?
There are many advances in arrhythmia treatment, particularly new techniques for catheter ablation. We can perform complex ablation procedures without using X-rays or other forms of radiation. This technique is not offered at many other organizations. This reduces potential long-term side effects for patients related to radiation exposure.
Q: What is Chagas disease, and why is it a point of your research?
I have a long history of working in Bolivia, where Chagas disease is prevalent. Through years of treating patients affected by this condition, I have developed a particular interest in understanding and managing Chagas disease.
Chagas disease is caused by a parasite and is primarily found in South America, but it is now starting to appear in North America due to climate change. The disease is spread by certain insects. Although rare, it is becoming more common in poor, rural populations.
Most people infected with Chagas disease don’t initially have severe symptoms. However, about one in every four people with the disease develop serious long-term health problems, including digestive issues, heart arrythmias, an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy), and heart failure.
Q: What advice do you have for international patients seeking care in the United States?
While there are challenges, such as geopolitical barriers affecting travel, Boston remains a welcoming city for international patients. We offer support from the very beginning of your journey, including finding accommodations and addressing any cultural preferences. We realize that many patients arrive without local support, so we do our best to make you feel comfortable and answer any questions you may have. During your time with us, if you ever need anything, please let us know. We’re happy to help so you can focus on recovery and returning home well.
