We are the combination of four hospitals: the General Hospital, the Children’s Hospital, the Women’s Hospital and the Traumatology, Rehabilitation and Burns Hospital. We are part of the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus: a world-leading health park where healthcare plays a crucial role.
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The commitment of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital to innovation allows us to be at the forefront of medicine, providing first class care adapted to the changing needs of each patient.
It is a test that allows the assessment of the anatomy of the heart and the coronary arteries, as well as the study of their function and the performance of certain treatments. This test is carried out in a hemodynamics laboratory.
Cardiac catheterization involves the insertion of catheters into the heart to assess its anatomy, the coronary arteries, and heart function, measure pressures in the heart chambers, and check for abnormal heart valves. In addition to helping diagnose certain heart diseases, it can detect congenital heart defects, atrial or ventricular septal defects, measure oxygen levels in different areas of the heart, and perform biopsies.
This procedure is performed in a hemodynamics laboratory, where the patient must remain lying still on the examination table throughout the test.
Before starting the catheterization, the insertion site—either the groin (femoral artery or vein) or the wrist—is disinfected. Local anesthesia is applied, and a catheter is inserted through the chosen site until it reaches the heart. A contrast agent is then injected through the catheter.
Using radiology equipment, the medical team ensures the catheters are correctly positioned and can visualize the arteries, veins, heart chambers, and heart function. If necessary, intracoronary prostheses, stents, or other devices can be implanted during the procedure.
Once the procedure is completed, a compression device is applied to the puncture site.
Cardiac catheterization is used to diagnose certain heart diseases and, in some cases, to treat them.
Treatments that can be performed using cardiac catheterization include:
The most common risks are hematomas at the puncture site. Less common risks include bleeding, pain, chest pain (angina), arrhythmias, and abdominal bleeding if the catheter is inserted through the groin.
Cognitive-behavioral disorders affect development and behavior, especially during early childhood. Early detection, observation by parents and pediatricians, and targeted interventions based on the cause help optimize learning and minimize long-term effects.
There are two basic aspects in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cognitive-behavioral disorders: observation by the parents and observation by the child’s pediatrician. This highlights the importance of routine visits to the pediatrician.
During the first year of life, stimulation through play and singing is fundamental. The brain’s plasticity for learning during the first year is higher than at any other stage of life, and the brain’s weight grows exponentially. Stimuli are essential; both smiling and passive limb mobilization naturally occur through play. Observing the child is also important to see which areas need more work, such as teaching them to roll over, crawl, or walk. In case of doubt or detection of a significant alteration, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to establish the diagnosis and appropriate treatment as early as possible.
The treatment of cognitive-behavioral disorders depends on the specific condition detected.
Human genome ultra-sequencing now allows the detection of hundreds of genetic alterations from a small blood sample, from which genetic information is extracted. There are databases in all developed countries that work in a network, sharing information to compile sporadic cases worldwide for joint research into how these alterations affect behavior or learning in individuals.
Similarly, biochemical studies of the body’s metabolic pathways are increasingly comprehensive, allowing the design of specific drugs for each situation.
A treatment shift currently under development involves moving from the pill to the cell, aiming to work directly on the affected cell to modify its behavior. This approach is still very preliminary but is a field that is certain to see significant development in the future.
Immunological diseases can impair the body’s defense system or cause an inappropriate immune response. Proper medical follow-up, adherence to treatment, and healthy lifestyle habits are essential to prevent infections, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.
A person’s immune status depends on their overall health: proper nutrition and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke and chemicals whenever possible. In early childhood, the vaccines and immunizations recommended in the vaccination schedule help build a competent immune system.
In primary immunodeficiencies, early detection is important, usually indicated by the presence of frequent infectious diseases. Secondary immunodeficiencies occur during treatment for neoplasms or in transplant patients who must take lifelong immunosuppressive medication.
In autoimmune diseases, it is essential to follow the prescribed medication, often for life, and to avoid excessive cold and sun exposure, which can trigger disease manifestations. To maintain the functionality of joints and muscles, following specific rehabilitation guidelines is important.
In immune deficiency, administering immunoglobulins (blood proteins responsible for our defense) can play an important role. When the deficiency affects immune cells, immunoglobulins are not effective; in such cases, antibiotics can prevent or reduce infections.
In diseases caused by excessive or poorly regulated immune responses, anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that modulate immunity are used, such as corticosteroids and biologics, which block specific inflammatory pathways. Other drugs may also have beneficial effects through less well-understood mechanisms, such as some medications used to treat malaria.
An echocardiogram is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce images of the heart. It allows the atria, ventricles, heart valves and related large vessels (aorta, pulmonary artery, vena cava) to be visualised, and is particularly useful for assessing the heart’s pumping function and detecting backward blood flow or abnormalities caused by valve disease.
An echocardiogram provides not only images of the heart, but also a large amount of information about how it functions. It allows assessment of cardiac anatomy, functional status, overall performance and any structural abnormalities.
An ultrasound transducer is moved over the chest. The sound waves bounce off the heart and the resulting echo is recorded by a computer. The information is displayed on a monitor.
An echocardiogram is a completely safe test and involves no risks.
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