UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) in Central Pa. has hired a structural interventional cardiologist. 

Dr. Paul D. Mahoney is co-director of the structural heart program alongside interventional cardiologist Dr. Hemal Gada and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mubashir Mumtaz. 

Board certified by American Board of Internal Medicine in interventional cardiology, Mahoney’s primary focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of structural heart disease, UPMC HVI said.  

He performs advanced interventions such as the latest transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Mitra-Clip, left atrial appendage closure, balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic and mitral valves, and non-surgical closure of atrial and ventricular septal defects.  

HVI said during his 23-year career, he has been the principal investigator for dozens of clinical research trials, for which he is nationally renowned. 

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Mahoney to the UPMC HVI team,” said Lou Baverso, president, UPMC in Central Pa. “Dr. Mahoney’s expertise and experience further bolster our program as one of the best structural heart programs in the country. Our recent achievements in heart and vascular care prove how people-focused health and highly skilled physicians with access to cutting-edge technology and clinical trials produce the highest quality patient outcomes.” 

UPMC HVI recently earned the three-star rating, the highest rating possible, from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in four out of five total categories for patient care and outcomes. This three-star rating places UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa. among the most elite cardiac surgery programs — the top 1% — in the United States and Canada, HVI said. 

Historically, open-heart surgery has been the common method for treating valvular and structural heart disease; however, UPMC HVI said percutaneous valve replacement now provides a viable alternative to patients for whom conventional surgery is considered too risky, and offers the potential benefits of less scarring, less blood loss, less pain and a quicker recovery. 

 Patients receiving care at UPMC HVI facilities across Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Juniata, Franklin, Adams and parts of Snyder counties, have local access to more than 100 clinical trials.  

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