Dr. Erjon Basha

Dr. Erjon Basha is a senior interventional cardiologist at the University Hospital Centre Mother Teresa in Tirana, Albania's largest and most comprehensive tertiary hospital. With 18 years of clinical experience, he is among Albania's leading cardiologists.

Albania has historically had strong medical ties with Italy, and many Albanian physicians have trained in Italian centers. Dr. Basha completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at the Policlinico di Bari in Italy, gaining expertise in complex coronary interventions in a high-volume Italian university hospital.

He returned to Albania where he has been central to developing the interventional cardiology service at QSUT (University Hospital Centre), establishing a catheterization laboratory program aligned with European standards. He is an ESC member and represents Albania in regional Balkan cardiology networks.

Dr. Basha is known for his passion for advancing cardiac care in Albania and for his patient-accessible communication style in Albanian and Italian.

Dr. Basha graduated from the University of Medicine Tirana in 2003 with his MD, completing his medical studies at Albania's premier medical faculty. He completed his cardiology residency at the University Hospital Centre Mother Teresa (QSUT) — Albania's largest and most comprehensive teaching hospital — gaining broad training in non-invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and acute cardiac care.

He undertook an interventional cardiology fellowship at the Policlinico di Bari, Italy (2008–2009), one of Italy's major cardiac catheterization centres, gaining hands-on experience in primary PCI for STEMI and elective coronary intervention. His PhD from the University of Medicine Tirana in 2012 focused on primary PCI outcomes in Albanian STEMI patients — an important contribution to understanding cardiac care quality in Albania. He is a member of the European Society of Cardiology and is certified by the Albanian Medical Association in cardiology.

Dr. Basha's interventional cardiology practice covers primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), elective coronary angioplasty for stable coronary artery disease, and stent implantation including drug-eluting stent placement. He performs diagnostic coronary angiography via both radial and femoral access, and applies intracoronary physiology assessment using fractional flow reserve (FFR) in appropriate cases.

His echocardiography practice is comprehensive: he performs transthoracic echocardiography for ventricular function, valvular assessment, and cardiomyopathy evaluation; transesophageal echocardiography for prosthetic valves and aortic pathology; and stress echocardiography for ischaemia detection. He manages heart failure with guideline-directed medical therapy, hypertension, atrial fibrillation including anticoagulation management, and valvular heart disease. He coordinates with cardiac surgeons at QSUT for complex valvular disease requiring surgical intervention and for surgical revascularization referrals.

Dr. Basha has published over 12 peer-reviewed articles in Albanian and Italian cardiology journals. His research focuses on primary PCI outcomes in Albania, cardiovascular risk factors in the Albanian population, and the development of interventional cardiology services in a developing healthcare system. He collaborates with cardiologists in Italy and participates in Balkan cardiology research networks.

Dr. Basha speaks Albanian, Italian, and English and regularly sees patients from Albania's large diaspora communities in Italy, the UK, Germany, and other European countries who return to Tirana for specialist cardiac evaluation. QSUT coordinates international patient consultations through its cardiology outpatient department.

Video consultations are available for cardiac second opinions, remote review of ECGs and echocardiography reports, and pre-visit planning for international patients. Albania's improving healthcare infrastructure and competitive costs — significantly lower than Western European private cardiology fees — make it an accessible and practical option for diaspora patients seeking coronary angiography, echocardiography, or comprehensive cardiac assessment. Dr. Basha coordinates cardiology reports in both Albanian and English formats on request.

Dr. Basha received the Albanian Society of Cardiology Award for Clinical Excellence in 2017, recognizing his outstanding contributions to raising the standard of cardiac care in Albania. He was recognized by QSUT's management for his central role in developing the interventional cardiology service and establishing the cardiac catheterization laboratory program aligned with European Society of Cardiology standards.

He has received recognition from the ESC for his participation in Balkan cardiology development programs and his engagement with the ESC South-East European network. He serves on the Albanian Society of Cardiology educational committee and has been invited to faculty roles at regional cardiology update meetings in the Balkans, presenting on PCI outcomes and interventional techniques.