Hematology

At the Division of Hematology at Montefiore Medical Center, our internationally recognized hematologists and multidisciplinary experts offer the highest quality care and management of a broad spectrum of blood disorders including: all types of anemias, white cell disorders (leukopenia, leukocytosis, myelodysplasia), platelet problems, thrombosis, and myeloproliferative diseases such as polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, myelofibrosis, and chronic myeloid and lymphocytic leukemias.

Approximately 6,500 patients ranging from young adults to geriatrics come to us each year from all across the nation as well as the New York metropolitan area for consultations, advanced diagnostics and treatments, and highest quality continued care. We are renowned for our expertise in thrombosis and sickle cell anemia– both of which offer coordinated services designed specifically for these patients.

A Distinguished Division

Montefiore Medical Center has been at the forefront of prevention and treatment programs for various blood disorders, and has one of the largest thrombosis prevention treatment programs and sickle cell centers in the nation. The following are a few highlights of our division:

Sickle Cell Center
Our Sickle Cell Center is one of only 10 centers in the nation supported by the National Institutes of Health. We offer comprehensive care for this potentially fatal hereditary blood disorder. As red blood cells change shape due to abnormal sickle hemoglobin, they may get ‘stuck’ in blood vessels, blocking normal flow and depriving organs of oxygen. This can lead to death of the surrounding tissues, occurring anywhere from the brain to the bones, lungs, spleens, etc, causing stroke, bone collapse and acute lung injury to name a few. Physicians test patients for the potential of these and other complications and provide treatments as well as counseling for those at risk.
Thrombosis Prevention Treatment Program
The Thrombosis Prevention Treatment Program deals with bridging patients for anticoagulation so they may leave the hospital sooner than expected and be regulated on an outpatient basis. Thrombosis is the formation of a clot inside the blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. Our team interacts with vascular surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, and obstetricians/gynecologists to treat all types of thrombosis, and patients travel great distances to benefit from their expertise.
Chronic Anticoagulation Program
Similarly, our Chronic Anticoagulation Program treats patients for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, atrial fibrillation, and hypercoagulable states. This program is one of the largest in the country, drawing approximately 3,000 visits each year in addition to those in our Thrombosis Prevention Treatment Program.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
A staff hematologist, Dr. Tsai, was one of the first two people to describe the genetic defect in Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) in 1988. Recognized as a leading expert on TTP, he continues his clinical and basic studies today to develop new therapies.

Strides in Research

Hematology is a primary link between basic science research and clinical delivery of the best possible care. Our award-winning hematologists understand that groundbreaking investigations can translate to a better quality of life for those with blood disorders, which is why they are diligently studying and conducting trials pertaining to several areas of this medical field. Currently our division is participating in a multi-center clinical study of the correlation of pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell disease with the quest to develop improved pharmacological agents and effective therapies.

Montefiore Medical Center was also one of the first contributors to epigenetics, the study of genetic factors that may affect heritable defects, such as high hemoglobin concentrations (the protein in the red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). We continue to investigate the multifaceted aspects of sickle cell disease through genetic mapping and research.

We are also studying inferior vena cava filters (vascular filters inserted into the blood vessel to prevent blockage of the pulmonary artery caused by a clot in the vein) and the efficacy of bridging therapy to provide optimum management for patients with contradictions to anticoagulation or DVT.

Additionally, our hematology/oncology combination fellowship program is one of the largest in the nation. Fellows receive extensive experience in diagnostic and management of a wide variety of hematological disorders and conditions. They participate in laboratory research and gain valuable clinical experience. We also work closely with the New York Blood Center, where we train and teach fellows as well as send some of ours for clinical training, so we may stay at the forefront of helping those afflicted with blood diseases to obtain the best possible treatments and therapies.