06/17/2026
New research led by UVA Health's Dr. Christopher Kramer is helping improve care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common genetic heart disease and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people.
The international study followed nearly 2,700 patients across the United States and Europe and found that combining advanced cardiac MRI with blood test data can more accurately identify patients at greatest risk for serious complications, including heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.
The findings highlight the critical role of medical imaging in advancing patient care. By using cardiac MRI to assess heart structure, function, and scar tissue, researchers were able to improve risk prediction and help identify patients who may benefit from life-saving interventions while reducing unnecessary procedures for lower-risk individuals.
Dr. Kramer serves as Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Professor of Radiology and Medical Imaging at UVA Health.
Congratulations to Dr. Kramer and the entire research team on this important contribution to cardiovascular medicine and imaging science.
https://www.uvahealth.com/news/major-heart-study-to-improve-care-for-hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy
UVA Health cardiologist Christopher M. Kramer, MD, was co-principal investigator of the sweeping international hypertrophic cardiomyopathy study. He is also chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the School of Medicine.