Group information

The research group is one of the most dynamic and productive within the cardiovascular imaging research in our country. Supported by a solid healthcare activity that encompasses the different fields of cardiovascular imaging, such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, it has a strong teaching and research projection. Proof of this are the numerous publications in national and international scientific journals and books, as well as their presence in the most important national and international congresses, presenting their own research papers or participating as moderators, speakers, and organisers. The group’s research focuses on developing the clinical application of novel imaging techniques, trying to discover their advantages and limitations, in order to improve the diagnosis, management, and treatment of both cardiological and extra-cardiological patients. The collaboration with other research groups, both cardiological and from other specialities within the IdISSC is noteworthy.

In the vascular pathology and large vessels research area, a multicentre group (H. Clínico, H. U. de Valladolid, and H. de la Princesa) was created in 1996 to study endocarditis. Since then, the group has managed a database of 900 patients with this very serious infectious valve pathology, in which the Clinical Microbiology and Cardiac Surgery Services have collaborated in a very important way. As a result of this collaboration and great effort, numerous publications have been published in national and international journals, and we have also obtained a FIS grant to continue researching this serious disease: ENDOVAL Project. Specifically, in this field we are investigating the following aspects: the diagnostic yield of echocardiography, the poor prognostic factors of the disease, and the appropriateness of surgery, among others.

Another valvular pathology in which we have been pioneers, and in which we also work together with the Cardiac Surgery Service, is that of acute aortic syndrome and ascending aortic aneurysms. Our group defined the problem in 2001, and since then, the different elements of acute aortic pathology have been known as acute aortic syndrome (AAS).