Hypertension remains one of the most widespread and deadly cardiovascular diseases globally and nationally.
The Romanian Society of Hypertension (SRH) has set up, in recent years, a national network of centers of excellence in hypertension aimed at promoting excellence in diagnosis, treatment and clinical research in the field. The aim of these centers, officially listed on the SRH platform, is to create nodes of expertise to support clinical decision making, promote best practices and contribute to continuing medical education for specialists involved in the management of hypertension.
The national network includes centers in Târgu Mureș, Bucharest and Iași, each geared towards providing integrated services to patients with hypertension and developing innovative research and practice projects in the field.
In Târgu Mureș, the center of excellence is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Benedek Theodora Benedek, a recognized cardiologist, and the structure focuses on research topics such as treatment-resistant hypertension, secondary causes of hypertension and risk stratification in hypertensive patients.
A concrete example of strengthening clinical and multidisciplinary capacity is the “Dr. C.I. Parhon” Clinical Hospital “Dr. C.I. Parhon” in Iasi, designated as a Center of Excellence in Hypertension under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Adrian Covic – the second in Romania after the initial model in Bucharest.
This accreditation reflects the institution’s ability to address hypertension through a multidisciplinary team (cardiology, internal medicine, nephrology and other related specialties). The Iași center is equipped with the infrastructure and expertise to meet the requirements of excellence set by the network of centers and to provide comprehensive management of hypertensive patients, including collaborations between key clinical wards.
In the European context, these centers are part of an extensive network of centers accredited by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), with over 170 approved centers in 32 countries, which positions Romania in an active role at regional level in the management and research of hypertension.
Role of coordination and professional expertise: prof. Dorobanțu Maria
In the academic and professional landscape of hypertension management in Romania, Prof. Dr. Maria Dorobanțu stands out as a central figure. Reputed cardiologist and internist, Prof. Dorobanțu is internationally recognized for her scientific and clinical work, being involved in research projects at European and world level. She holds, among other titles, the position of Director of a Centre of Excellence recognized by the European Society of Hypertension and was involved in the coordination of the first Centre of Excellence in Hypertension in Romania, located at the Floreasca Emergency Hospital in Bucharest. Prof. Dorobanțu also contributes substantially to the national agenda through her involvement in professional, educational initiatives and standards of practice in the field of hypertension, thus strengthening the framework of excellence in the treatment of this pathology.
Centers of Excellence in Hypertension are strategic structures that combine top clinical expertise, applied research and multidisciplinary approach to improve the outcome of patients with hypertension. Through coordination, standardization and integration into international networks of excellence, these institutions contribute significantly to raising the quality of hypertension management in Romania and in Europe, consolidating an effective model of medical practice.
Hospital Cl Dr CI Parhon is the 2nd Center of Excellence for Hypertension in Romania, after the Center of Excellence in Bucharest within the Floreasca Emergency Hospital, Cardiology Clinic, under the guidance of Prof Univ Dr. Maria Dorobantu FESC, FACC.
Dr. CI Parhon Hospital is served by specialists in cardiology, internal medicine and nephrology (multidisciplinary collaboration: cardiology, interventional cardiology, nephrology, urology, intensive care, surgery, vascular surgery and radiology, interventional radiology)
It has the necessary equipment, represented by Computed Tomography and Angio-CT, state-of-the-art ultrasound scanners (GE HealthCare, Philips CX 50), biological explorations (including special tests for the diagnosis of secondary forms of hypertension), Holter-EKG monitoring, ABPM monitoring (24 h BP), cerebral oximetry, SphygmoCor device for PWV and IMTc quantification, respectively offers various opportunities for continuing medical education (CME) through the organization of courses, national conferences.
The Hypertension Center of the Clinical Hospital Dr CI Parhon Iasi has a specialist in hypertension from the European Society of Hypertension (Prof. Adrian Covic FERA, FRCP, FESC), and their number will increase.