About

Dr. Hal A Skopicki, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine specializing in cardiology, with a focus on heart failure and transplantation cardiology, interventional cardiology, and nuclear cardiology. He is passionate about tackling challenging clinical questions, offering second opinions, and providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Dr. Skopicki emphasizes diagnosing at an advanced level, presenting all available options, and explaining preventive cardiovascular health opportunities in understandable terms. He actively listens to patients' concerns and desires to ensure they remain the most valued members of their care team. His academic title and professional background include completing a fellowship in IM-Cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1997, a residency in Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 1992, and medical school at Rosalind Franklin Medical School in 1990. He is board-certified in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine since 2012.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Cardiology
• Emergency medicine
• Intensive care medicine
• Chromatography
• Demography
• Anesthesia
• Radiology
• Environmental health
• Anatomy
• Chemistry

Selected publications

• Interconnection between Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular health: A narrative review of pathophysiological links and implications for treatment

  Aging advances. · 2026-04-04

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease are the leading chronic illnesses among the elderly population and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As life expectancy increases, the prevalence and impact of these diseases on public health also increase, thereby imposing escalating costs upon the healthcare system. The etiology of Alzheimer's disease remains multifactorial, characterized by greater neurofibrillary and senile amyloid-beta plaque deposition. Risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia have also been linked to Alzheimer's disease. Studies such as the Rotterdam study have shown that analyses of carotid artery wall thickness and plaques demonstrate a connection between. atherosclerosis and a subsequent diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. We conduct a narrative review of the literature through electronic medical databases to explore the underlying genetics and pathophysiology of dementia and to demonstrate the crosstalk among genetic, pathophysiological, and environmental factors in cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, we review the relationships among different forms and facets of heart disease, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, and their links to dementia. Demonstrating the role of vascular pathology and the subsequent pathophysiological cardiovascular changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease are essential for both neurologists and cardiologists to optimize diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies in mitigating the systemic medical and neuropsychological sequelae of these conditions.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 012: Promoting Access to Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in Public Libraries

  Hypertension · 2025-09-01 · 1 citations

  article

  Background: Despite guideline endorsement, self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring remains underutilized in hypertension care. To address this gap, the American Heart Association (AHA) partnered with public libraries to establish a novel SMBP device loan program, enabling patrons to borrow blood pressure monitors free of charge, similar to books. This study was performed to describe the implementation and borrowing patterns of a library-based SMBP device loan initiative and identify characteristics of high-utilization sites. Methods: A multidisciplinary team from an academic medical center collaborated with suburban public libraries in Suffolk County, NY. In 2021, the AHA distributed 689 SMBP kits to 53 libraries. Each kit included a validated BP monitor and AHA educational materials. One staff member per library was trained to support patrons. Kits were loaned for 28 days with renewal allowed. Libraries tracked kit checkouts monthly from December 2021 to March 2023. De-identified monthly borrowing data were summarized, and z-scores were calculated to identify libraries with significantly higher usage. Results: Of 53 libraries, 47 provided usable data. Across 24 months, SMBP kits were checked out 1,653 times, averaging 2.26 checkouts per library per month (SD 1.69). Six libraries demonstrated higher-than-average borrowing (z-score >1), with an average of 5.49 checkouts/month (SD 1.29). These libraries often offered additional services (e.g. blood pressure screenings by nursing or physician assistant students, health education sessions, and access to social work services) that may have supported increased patron engagement. Conclusion: A library-based SMBP loan program was successfully implemented in a diverse network of public libraries, facilitating access to hypertension self-management tools. Libraries with integrated clinical and educational services had notably higher device utilization, suggesting that pairing SMBP access with community-based support may enhance program uptake. With over 17,000 public libraries nationally, this model may offer a scalable approach to community-level hypertension control. Further research is needed to identify and replicate successful implementation strategies across varied settings.

  PublisherDOI

• DETECTING OCCLUSION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WITH AN AI-POWERED ECG MODEL: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

  Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2025-03-29

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The AI model examined in this study outperformed the STEMI criteria for the identification of OMI with respect to accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV and accurately identified a significant portion of NSTEMIs found to have total thrombotic coronary artery occlusion.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 4367733: Dual Therapy With Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Is Associated With Improved Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: A Real-World Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

  Circulation · 2025-11-03

  article

  Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are guideline-directed therapies for heart failure (HF), independent of left ventricular ejection fraction. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), used primarily to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, have demonstrated favorable cardiometabolic effects in obese patients with HF. Research Question: Is adding a GLP-1 RA to SGLT2i therapy associated with improved HF outcomes compared to SGLT2i monotherapy in patients with HF? Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Global Research Network. Adults (≥18 years) with HF who initiated SGLT2i therapy between July 2020 and March 2024 were included. Patients receiving dual therapy with GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i were compared to those receiving SGLT2i monotherapy. There were 7,415 patients in each group after 1:1 propensity score matching for demographics, comorbid conditions, and medications. Outcomes were assessed from 30 to 365 days post-treatment initiation. We evaluated 1-year (1) all-cause mortality, (2) death or HF hospitalization (HFH), and (3) death or all-cause hospitalization (ACH). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: After matching, 7,415 patients per group were analyzed. Mean age was 63.6 ± 11.9 years, 56.4% were male, and 77.7% had T2DM. Obesity (body mass index over 30), hypertension and chronic kidney disease were present in 68.2%, 91.6%, and 36.6% of the cohort, respectively ( Table 1 ). Compared to SGLT2i monotherapy, combination therapy was associated with significantly lower 1 year rates of all-cause mortality (2.6% vs. 6.7%; HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.35–0.48; p<0.001), death or HFH (7.5% vs. 12.7%; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.53–0.66; p<0.001), and death or ACH (19% vs. 26.2%; HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.65–0.76; p<0.001)( Table 2, Figures 1-3 ). Conclusion: In this large, real-world cohort, patients with HF treated with dual GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i therapy experienced lower risks of mortality, HF hospitalization, and all-cause hospitalization compared to SGLT2i monotherapy. These findings support the hypothesis of potential additive benefit via complementary cardiometabolic effects. Prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm these associations and guide future HF treatment strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 020: An Innovative HTN Intervention in Partnership with the AHA Promotes Access to Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in Public Libraries

  Circulation · 2025-03-11

  article

  Background: In response to the 2020 Surgeon General’s call to action for HTN control, this study examines a unique intervention leveraging public libraries to promote self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) access. Although the American Heart Association (AHA) advocates for SMBP as a crucial tool for HTN diagnosis and management, it remains underutilized. Partnering with libraries nationwide, the AHA provides SMBP devices at no cost in non-clinical settings. This study, the first of its kind, aims to evaluate SMBP access in public libraries by comparing SMBP alone versus SMBP combined with blood pressure screening, education, and case management. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of health sciences professionals at a large academic medical center partnered with suburban public libraries to design, implement, and evaluate a HTN intervention. In 2021, the AHA of Long Island, New York, distributed 689 SMBP devices within an educational kit to 53 public libraries for patron checkout. A subset of these libraries (n=15) implemented the Stony Brook Medicine Healthy Libraries Program (HeLP), in which an interprofessional team of faculty-supervised students from nursing, physician assistant, social work, and public health provided patrons’ with BP screenings, health education, and case management. Using a quasi-experimental design, SMBP kit usage over a 24 month period was compared between libraries offering only SMBP access (n= 32) and those offering SMBP and HeLP interventions (n= 15). Results: Among 852 BP screenings conducted, 56% (n=474) were “high” per AHA guidelines. Of these high readings, 56% (n=268) of individuals reported previously being told they had high BP by a healthcare provider, while 38% (n=180) had not received such a diagnosis, and 38% (n=182) reported current use of antihypertensive medications. The SMBP kits were borrowed a total of 1,653 times, averaging 2.26 checkouts per month. Notably, HeLP locations showed a significantly higher average monthly SMBP borrowing rate (M=3.32, STD 1.85), nearly twice that of SMBP-only locations (M=1.80, STD 1.42) (p = 0.0055). Conclusion: Public libraries offering integrated BP screenings, health education, and case management demonstrate significantly higher SMBP kit usage, underscoring the impact of comprehensive, co-located health services. The AHA’s investment in expanding SMBP access through public libraries is effectively enhanced by pairing these resources with supportive HTN education and case management.

  PublisherDOI

• The Role of Cystatin C in the Prediction of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Following Coronary Procedures: A Systematic Review

  Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine · 2025-07-29 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  Background: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) represents a significant cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and accounts for 11% of all cases. Conventional biomarkers, such as serum creatinine (SCr), present limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity for the early detection of CI-AKI. Therefore, this review examines the potential of cystatin C (CysC) as a biomarker for predicting CI-AKI in patients undergoing coronary procedures and assesses its effectiveness compared to traditional markers. Methods: This systematic review was conducted using PubMed to identify studies published between January 2020 and March 2025. The inclusion criteria focused on original studies examining CysC levels for early CI-AKI detection in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data extraction followed a standardized charting method, focusing on key findings from the selected studies. Results: A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 410 articles, with data extracted from these seven prospective studies. Key findings indicated that elevated preoperative CysC levels correlated with a higher risk of developing CI-AKI, demonstrating greater sensitivity and specificity than the conventional SCr biomarker. The mean cut-off values for CysC varied across studies, but consistent trends highlighted its potential as an early indicator of renal dysfunction. Conclusions: CysC appears to be a more sensitive biomarker than SCr for the early detection of CI-AKI. This review suggests that integrating CysC measurement into clinical practice could enhance the early diagnosis and management of CI-AKI, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Hence, future research should focus on standardizing CysC cut-off values and further explore their implications in broader clinical settings and guidelines.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Remote Hemodynamic Monitoring for Heart Failure

  JACC Heart Failure · 2025-07-01

  editorialSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Abstract 4358270: Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Use Is Associated with Improved Cognitive Outcomes in Older Heart Failure Patients: A Comparative Analysis Using Real-World Clinical Data

  Circulation · 2025-11-03

  article

  Background: Cognitive impairment is a frequent and debilitating comorbidity in older adults with heart failure (HF). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve HF-related outcomes, but their effect on cognitive outcomes is not well established. Research Question: Does treatment with the SGLT2i empagliflozin or dapagliflozin reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment in older adults with HF? Methods: We conducted a retrospective, propensity score-matched cohort study using TriNetX, a global electronic health records database. Adults ≥60 years of age with a diagnosis of HF between July 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023, were included ( Figure 1 ). Patients with pre-existing dementia, type 1 diabetes or chronic kidney disease were excluded. A total of 50,188 SGLT2i users (empagliflozin n=32,761 [65.3%]; dapagliflozin n=17,427 [34.7%]) were propensity score–matched 1:1 to non-user controls based on demographic and clinical variables. Outcomes were assessed over a 2-year follow-up, and included incident diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), unspecified dementia, and drugs related to AD. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). Results: The matched cohorts had a mean age of 72.0 years (empagliflozin) and 71.5 years (dapagliflozin); approximately 58–59% were male and 43–49% had diabetes mellitus. Baseline characteristics were adequately matched ( Table 1 ). Empagliflozin use was associated with significantly reduced risk of AD (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48–0.77, p<0.001), VD (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.44–0.71, p<0.001), unspecified dementia (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.52–0.67, p<0.001), and initiation of drugs related to AD (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.62–0.85, p<0.001) ( Table 2 ) Dapagliflozin showed similar protective associations with VD (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.33–0.68, p<0.001), unspecified dementia (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54–0.77, p<0.001), initiation of drugs related to AD (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61–0.96, p=0.021), and MCI (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.97, p=0.028). Conclusion: In a real-world study of older adults with heart failure, empagliflozin and dapagliflozin use was associated with a lower risk of incident cognitive impairment. While mechanisms such as improved cerebral perfusion, attenuation of neuroinflammation or modulation of metabolic and vascular pathways implicated in neurodegeneration are plausible, prospective studies are needed to confirm these associations and elucidate causal pathways.

  PublisherDOI

• Lipoprotein(a) as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review

  Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine · 2025-09-22 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Background: Despite advancements in treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern. Although lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as a crucial cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased risk, the prognostic value of using Lp(a) levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains debatable. This review aimed to investigate the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent ischemic events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI. Methods: This systematic review included studies with individuals aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ACS who underwent PCI and had Lp(a) measurements. The included studies were sourced from the PubMed database, with a focus on articles published between January 2020 and January 2025. Keywords related to Lp(a) and cardiovascular diseases were used in the search. Data extraction involved a review of titles and abstracts followed by quality assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results: The final analysis included 10 studies with a combined population of 20,896 patients from diverse regions, including Japan, India, Egypt, China, and South Korea. Key findings indicate that elevated Lp(a) levels are significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction and mortality, both in hospital and during long-term follow-up. Conclusions: This review highlights Lp(a) as a critical biomarker for predicting recurrent cardiovascular events in ACS patients post-PCI. The consistent correlation between elevated Lp(a) levels and adverse outcomes underscores the necessity of routine monitoring and targeted management of Lp(a) to mitigate residual cardiovascular risk.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Spironolactone Use And Neurocognitive Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure And Reduced Ejection Fraction

  Journal of Cardiac Failure · 2024-01-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Michelle Bloom

  New York University

  167 shared

• Javed Butler

  Baylor Medical Center at Garland

  161 shared

• Lea Baer

  State University of New York

  146 shared

• Anju Nohria

  Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center

  145 shared

• Carine E. Hamo

  New York University

  145 shared

• Alexander R. Lyon

  145 shared

• Daniel J. Lenihan

  145 shared

• Daniela Cardinale

  European Institute of Oncology

  145 shared