Centro Médico Teknon
Centro Médico Teknon
Spain, Barcelona
Xavier Ruyra Baliarda
34 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Over 44 years of experience leading pediatric cardiac surgery units – Dr. Villagrá specializes in congenital heart defects at Hospital Universitario HM Montepríncipe.
With over 35 years of experience, the doctor is a highly esteemed cardiac surgeon specializing in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, cardiac transplantation, and minimally invasive procedures. He is recognized as one of the world's leading specialists in the Ross procedure and has significantly contributed to heart valve surgery through research and inventions.
The doctor holds memberships in the Spanish Society of Cardiac Surgery, European Board of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. He serves as a spokesperson for the Catalan Organisation of Transplantation and is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Specialists in Spain primarily treat atrial septal defects using transcatheter device closure or surgical repair. Interventional cardiologists prefer percutaneous methods for secundum defects. Complex or large holes require open-heart or minimally invasive surgery. Treatment choice follows European Society of Cardiology guidelines based on defect size and anatomy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many choose General hospitals, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital handles 450,000 patients annually. This high volume makes it a leader for pediatric cases. Specialized centers like Teknon Medical Center offer robotized surgeries. This technology often allows for more precise repairs than traditional methods. Check if the clinic has JCI accreditation for safety.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding a doctor with structural heart experience. They note that detailed pre-operative imaging is vital. Sometimes a hole looks suitable for a device but requires surgery after a closer look.
Spanish hospitals leading in atrial septal defect (ASD) treatment include Centro Medico Teknon and Hospital Ruber Internacional. These centers provide multidisciplinary care for children and adults. Facilities like SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital offer specialized pediatric congenital heart programs within JCI-accredited infrastructures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many general hospitals treat heart issues, choosing a facility like Clinica Universidad de Navarra offers a distinct advantage. It was the first in Spain to receive the JCI US certificate and manages over 700,000 international patients. This high volume often correlates with better outcomes in structural heart procedures compared to smaller local clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding a hospital with a dedicated congenital heart program rather than a general cardiology department. They note that specialized centers in major cities provide better continuity as children transition into adult care.
In Spain, hospital stays for atrial septal defect closure typically last 1 to 2 days for minimally invasive catheter procedures. Open-heart surgery requires 3 to 7 days of hospitalization. Patients generally achieve full recovery within 2 weeks for device closures or 8 weeks for surgical repairs.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Spanish centers like HM Hospitales or Clinica Universidad de Navarra excel in pediatric cases with specialists like Dr. Fernando Villagrá. Our data shows many top-tier Spanish clinics are JCI-accredited and offer specialized cardiovascular units. This high concentration of expertise often allows for streamlined discharge protocols compared to general hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that groin soreness and fatigue are common in the first 72 hours after catheter closure. They often emphasize that energy levels return slowly and advise against rushing back to work or driving too soon.
Successful ASD closure in Spain restores normal life expectancy when performed before age 25. Most patients achieve full activity levels within weeks. Spanish cardiovascular centers report excellent success rates using robotized or catheter-based techniques. Longevity for older patients remains high but depends on preexisting heart strain.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Spanish centers like Centro Médico Teknon and Hospital Universitario HM Madrid manage massive patient volumes, with HM Madrid serving 2.3 million outpatients annually. This high frequency allows surgeons to refine minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery time compared to standard surgery. Patients seeking pediatric care benefit from specialized centers like SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, which is among Europe's top three medical institutions.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while energy levels improve dramatically, recovery is often a gradual process rather than an immediate return to peak performance. Many emphasize the relief of reduced breathlessness while acknowledging that long-standing heart enlargement before surgery can leave minor physical limitations.
Spanish cardiac centers select transcatheter closure for secundum atrial septal defects with diameters under 38 mm and stable 5 mm tissue rims. Surgeons handle non-secundum types, large holes, or complex fenestrations. Decisions follow Spanish Society of Cardiology protocols at JCI-accredited facilities using detailed heart ultrasound imaging.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Spanish centers like HM Madrid and Clinica Universidad de Navarra utilize a multidisciplinary heart team approach. Our data shows experienced surgeons like Dr. Fernando Villagrá, with over 40 years of expertise, often manage cases where anatomy is borderline. This clinical depth allows centers to successfully navigate complex procedures while maintaining a 5.0 rating for quality and safety.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that initial scans are often not enough. They emphasize the need for detailed transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) imaging before doctors confirm if a device closure is possible or if surgery is necessary.
Standard follow-up care after ASD treatment in Spain follows European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Patients typically undergo echocardiograms at 1, 6, and 12 months. Most require dual antiplatelet therapy for 3 to 6 months post-procedure. Care is provided at JCI-accredited centers in Madrid and Barcelona.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Spanish centers like Centro Médico Teknon and Hospital Ruber Internacional handle high volumes, with over 10,000 patients annually. Our data shows a trend where patients treated at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital benefit from specialized pediatric protocols. These protocols often lead to discharge from routine care if repaired before age 25. This early intervention high-success rate is a key differentiator in Spanish cardiac care.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to follow medication schedules exactly to ensure the device settles correctly. Many mention that experiencing temporary palpitations is common, making those first few scheduled rhythm checks very reassuring.
Major Spanish cardiovascular centers provide robust English-language support and family housing options. Facilities like Hospital Ruber Internacional and Centro Médico Teknon host dedicated international patient departments. These teams manage bilingual coordination for atrial septal defect treatments including percutaneous device closures and cardiac surgeries.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Spain ranks fourth globally in medical tourism requests, yet 25% of patients at centers like Hospital Ruber Internacional are international. This high volume across a 7-hospital network like HM Hospitales ensures streamlined English protocols. Patients should prioritize Madrid or Barcelona clinics, as these hubs maintain the highest concentration of JCI-accredited facilities with established international wings.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while surgeons often communicate well in English, initial administrative steps can be complex without a coordinator. Many families prioritize proximity to the hospital and recommend booking nearby apartments to manage frequent follow-up appointments.