Spain’s Puerto Banus Receives New Advanced Hemodynamics and Arrhythmia Unit at Helicopteros Sanitarias

Euro Weekly News were invited to the press conference regarding the new hemodynamics and arrhythmia unit at the Helicopetros Sanitarios hospital in Puerto Banus Spain.

This is a beautifully modern, state of the art hospital with easy access from Spain’s Costa del Sol’s main A7 coast road. We were greeted with a warm welcome, offered a selection of beverages and pastries which are made daily at the hospital, as well as a pack with information about the new unit,

The conference began with the lovely María José Cañete (president) telling us about how she began her mission with Helicopteros Sanitarios in 1988, with a new and innovative idea for health care in Spain. Back then, nothing like this existed in Andalucia, with local emergency services not even having helicopters until 1992. The idea was to provide a private hospital, that gave a personal touch, and make the medical profession  more “human”.

The Costa del Sol in particular is a hugely international area, and Helicopteros wanted to provide a service like those available in other parts of Europe. They are now leaders of emergency services and home assistance in Spain. Their team consists of over 200 highly qualified professionals, and have the advantage of a personalised service to their clients as well as having their very own helicopters,  mobile intensive care units (ICUs), ambulances and other vehicles containing the most advanced medical equipment. Their helicopter is further equipped with state-of-the-art electro-medical material.

Dr. Luis Iñigo then spoke briefly, and said how well he believed the company has done, and that the new unit was going to be fantastic with their dynamic team.  
The microphone was then passed over to Dr. Pedro Brugada. He talked to us informatively about the superior level of cardiology which they had been able to bring in. Between the team, including himself, Dr. Luis Iñigo and Dr. Juan Sieira, they are able to cover every spectrum when it comes to their cardiology department. Each one forming an important pillar. 

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of deaths in Spain, with more women being affected than men. Ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease are two diseases which produce a greater number of cardiovascular deaths (60%); 31% due to coronary disease, and 29% to strokes.

The new unit, is made up of a cardiology clinic, directed by Dr Zaya and focusing on diagnosing and treating, as well as prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases. It also incorporates diagnostics via clinical imaging, coordinated by Dr Henrik Reinhard, who has cardio magnetic resonance and high resolution CT for CardioScore and coronary CT scans, as well as cardiac echocardiography. The arrhythmia and electrophysiology unit is headed by Professor Brugada. This integral service is completed with the hemodynamics and arrhythmia unit, lead by Dr Luis Iñigo and Dr Eduardo Molina, as well as the department of cardiovascular surgery and vascular interventionism which Dr Aranda coordinates.

The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular conditions have lead cardiology and its related areas to huge developments in the last decade, which extends from prevention to diagnosis of potentially lethal genetic heart disease. They highlight, in this sense, the short QT syndrome or Brugada syndrome, even leading to the treatment of cardiac insufficiency as the ending point of the evolution of heart disease. All this includes a broad spectrum that involves medical treatment and follow-ups in a specialized consultation, which depending on the origin, will be put through different treatments. Within them, cardiac re-synchronization, revascularization or implantation of automatic defibrillator.

We spoke to Dr Brugada personally, and he said that he thought this new unit would have a huge impact on the local foreign community, as they have such advanced knowledge and technology, as well as such a personal touch, even including home visits to patients. They are comprised of an international team, who are always there, and can provide peace of mind.

We also spoke personally to María José Cañete who told us that the “Expat community” have been overwhelmed with excitement, due to their team of the world’s best professionals, all in one team, which is sensational. There are so many heart related diseases, and these professionals are excited to be on-board with such an amazing project, using top, innovative machinery