Introducere

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality nationwide, requiring a systematic and integrated approach. Centers of excellence in hypertension are hubs of expertise that combine clinical practice, scientific research, and medical education. Through multidisciplinary coordination and standardization of protocols, these centers aim to raise the level of care and train new generations of specialists.

Center of Excellence Bucharest

• Associated institutions: the Central Military Emergency Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila” and university collaborations.
• Coordination: Prof. Dr. Maria Dorobanțu.
• The team: experienced cardiologists involved in the diagnosis and management of resistant hypertension, secondary causes and innovative methods (e.g. renal denervation).
• Research topics: hypertension in young people, prevention of complications, risk stratification, cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
• Objectives: strengthening standard protocols, developing clinical research and training young specialists.

Targu Mures Center of Excellence

• Associated institutions: the “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology and the County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures.
• Team: most members of the national hypertension network are concentrated here – Prof. Dr. Benedek Imre, Head of Department Dr. Monica Chițu, Head of Department Dr. Istvan Kovacs, Head of Department Dr. Nora Rat, Dr. Ciprian Blendea, Dr. Balazs Bajka, Assistant Prof. Dr. Ioana Patricia Rodean, Head of Department Dr. Vasile Bogdan Halațiu.
• Activity: this core functions as the main research and education center, providing national support for clinical trials, registries and training of young specialists.

Iasi Center of Excellence

• Associated institution: Hospital “Dr. C. I. Parhon” Iași.
• Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Adrian Covic, a leading personality in nephrology and hypertension.
• Role: The center in Iași specializes in managing hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease and risk stratification in patients with multiple comorbidities. It also makes a major contribution to the integration of international protocols into national practice.

Strategic objectives of the national network

• Standardization of protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.
• Creating a national platform for managing hypertensive patients, which would bring together clinical data from all centers.
• Development of a national register and active participation in European registers and studies.
• Expanding interdisciplinary collaborations (cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, internal medicine).
• Train a new generation of specialists capable of continuing these programs.
• Implementarea unor campanii de prevenție și conștientizare la nivel populațional.

Conclusion

The centers of excellence in hypertension in Romania – Bucharest, Târgu Mureș and Iași – together form a strategic network for combating hypertension, providing both clinical expertise and research as well as an educational framework for specialists. Coordinated by recognized leaders, these centres not only treat patients but also set national standards, helping to reduce the cardiovascular burden in Romania.