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Rene Alvarez Jr., MD, Cardiology, Philadelphia, PA

Rene J Alvarez Jr. MD

Cardiology•Philadelphia, PA

Heart Failure & Transplantation, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Cardiac Critical Care

Advanced Heart Failure/ Cardiac Transplantation/MCS/Pulmonary Vascular Disease

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  • 925 Chestnut StreetSuite 310Philadelphia, PA 19107

  • Book by Phone+1(877) 658-0169

  • Fax+1 215-955-0203

Overview of  Dr. Alvarez

Dr. Alvarez is an accomplished clinician, researcher, and educator who joined Jefferson in 2018 as the director of the Division of Cardiology and the Jefferson Heart Institute, Dr. Alvarez also served as the executive physician lead for cardiovascular care across Jefferson Health. In addition, he served on the advisory board for the Segal Program for Innovation in Cardiac Care, which supports path-breaking projects that offer promise for a wide range of patients. In 2025, he transitioned to a new role as the section chief of Advanced Heart Failure/Cardiac Transplantation/MCS.

An expert on heart failure and transplantation, Dr. Alvarez has treated patients with cardiomyopathies for more than three decades. His
research interests include sudden death in athletes, gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on mechanical support, hyponatremia in acutely decompensated patients, and sleep disorders in chronic heart failure patients.

He has received numerous awards for his teaching, has been recognized in “Who’s Who of Cardiology,” and is regularly named in Philadelphia magazine’s “Top Doctors.” He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He remains active as a clinical researcher seeking innovative ways to help patients. He serves as a reviewer for numerous publications.

Before coming to Jefferson, Dr. Alvarez held leadership posts at Temple University Hospital, where he directed the Cardiac ICU, Heart Failure/Transplantation, and the fellowship program for advanced heart failure, while serving as assistant dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Previously, he served on the faculty of the University
of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

He received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital. He completed his general cardiology fellowship and his heart failure /cardiac transplant/mechanical circulatory support fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Education & Training

  • University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of Business
    University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of BusinessExecutive Certificate, 2007 - 2008
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins UniversityFellowship, Cardiovascular Disease, 1993 - 1996
  • Temple University Hospital
    Temple University HospitalResidency, Internal Medicine, 1990 - 1993
  • University of Pennsylvania
    University of PennsylvaniaPh. D., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 1986 - 1990
  • Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
    Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaClass of 1990

Certifications & Licensure

  • NJ State Medical License
    NJ State Medical License 2018 - 2027
  • SC State Medical License
    SC State Medical License 2026 - 2027
  • PA State Medical License
    PA State Medical License 1992 - 2026
  • OH State Medical License
    OH State Medical License 1999 - 2001
  • MD State Medical License
    MD State Medical License 1993 - 1998
  • Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
    American Board of Internal Medicine Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Disease
    American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular Disease

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • FAHA AHA, 2012
  • CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory - Core EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012
  • Pennsylvania's Most Influential Latino Leader 2018

Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Use of protek duo tandem heart for percutaneous right ventricular support in various clinical settings: a case series  
    Nicolais C, Suryapalam M, O'Murchu B, Bashir R, O'Neill B, Alvarez R, Forfia P, Vaidya A, Gomez-Abraham J, Hamad EA, Aggarwal V, JACC, 1/1/2018
  • Use of protek duo cannula (RVAD) for percutaneous support in various clinical settings A safe and effective option  
    Gomez-Abraham JA, Brann S, Aggarwal V, O'Neill B, Alvarez R, Hamad E, Toyoda Y, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 1/1/2018
  • Preoperative screening for anti-platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies does not accurately predict heparin-induced thrombocytopenia post VAD  
    Plamenac JD, Kumar J, Lee G, Yu D, Toyoda Y, Alvarez R, Hamad EA, The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 1/1/2017

Books/Book Chapters

  • Management of End-Stage Heart Failure 
    Chapter: Positive Isotropic Agents 
    Alvarez RJ, Feldman AMEditors: Stevenson LW.Wiley Press2000

Abstracts/Posters

  • Outcomes in patients with mechanical and bioprosthetic valves undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation.
    Khan FK, Raza F, Haas DC. Soundarapandian V, Alvarez R, JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology), 1/20/2018
  • The association of hyponatremia with race, ethnicity, and gender in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure diagnoses.
    Sunder V, Alvarez R, Carabelli E, Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations, Thomas Jefferson University, 1/1/2018
  • Identification of a novel obscurin protein variant in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
    Catalano J, Paynton B, Kaniper S, Gerhard G, Alvarez R, Department of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University Annual Fellows, Residents and Medical Students Research Symposium, 1/1/2018

Lectures

  • A patient's journey with HFrEF: and update on the current Guidelines and future of medical and surgical therapeutic. 
    Philadelphia, PA - 1/1/2018
  • What's New in Heart Failure? 
    1/1/2018
  • Advanced Options for Stage D Heart Failure Patients. 
    1/1/2017

Other

  • Utilization of ABO compatible/non identical donor: A strategy to increase existing donor pool for heart transplantation. 
    Pramod B, Kormos R, Bermudez C, Bhama J, Shigemura N, Sareyyupoglu B, Tabata S, Horai T, Ramani R, Simon M, Cadaret L, Teuteberg J, Alvarez RJ, Mathier M, McNamara D, ...
  • Medical Mystery: coughing and nausea for several months. 
    Alvarez R, The Philadelphia Inquirer
    1/24/2016
  • Pennsylvania mom's efforts for heart transplant for autistic son highlights complexity of decision. 
    Alvarez RJ, KYW/CBS Philadelphia Interview
    http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/14/experts-cool-to-pa-moms-effort-to-get-heart-transplant
    1/1/2012

Press Mentions

  • AHA News: Heart Transplant Recipient Honors Her Donor ‘By Living the Best Possible Life I Can’
    AHA News: Heart Transplant Recipient Honors Her Donor ‘By Living the Best Possible Life I Can’December 20th, 2022
  • Some COVID-19 Long Haulers Have Had Symptoms Since the First Wave. Can They Still Get Better?
    Some COVID-19 Long Haulers Have Had Symptoms Since the First Wave. Can They Still Get Better?March 13th, 2021
  • He Got His New Heart. How About That Haircut?
    He Got His New Heart. How About That Haircut?October 10th, 2017

Professional Memberships

Other Languages

  • Spanish

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