When the heart requires intervention to correct a serious arrhythmia, unblock a clogged artery, or replace a valve, the technology of the hospital environment is just as important as the specialist's expertise.
Dr. Alvaro Torre, an interventional cardiologist, performs all highly complex procedures in the Hemodynamics Room at Clinica de Merida, a space designed to the highest global standards to offer minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions with pinpoint precision and maximum safety.
What is a Hemodynamics Room and what is it used for?
A catheterization clinic or room is a highly specialized operating room that combines fluoroscopy (real-time x-ray) equipment and advanced monitoring. Unlike a traditional operating room where open heart surgeries are performed, this space is designed exclusively for percutaneous or minimally invasive procedures.
Using small catheters inserted through the wrist or groin, guided by these high-definition screens, we can navigate the arteries to the heart to diagnose and treat structural abnormalities without the need for large incisions. This results in less pain, reduced risk, and a significantly faster recovery for the patient.
Highly Specialized Procedures
Our technological infrastructure allows us to perform the most advanced cardiac treatments to protect your life and restore your heart function:
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Cardiac Catheterization and Angioplasty: We locate blockages in the coronary arteries and, in the same event, place [Stents] to restore blood flow and stop or prevent a heart attack.
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Pacemaker and Defibrillator Implantation: Placement of state-of-the-art electronic devices for patients suffering from severe fainting due to arrhythmias, electrical blocks or heart failure.
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TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation): A revolutionary procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis by implanting a new valve through a catheter, avoiding open-heart surgery.
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Renal Denervation: Advanced treatment with radiofrequency or ultrasound for patients with drug-resistant hypertension.
The Safety of the Mérida Clinic: Your Life, Our Priority
Choosing where to have a cardiac procedure is not a minor decision. Operating at the Mérida Clinic provides comprehensive hospital support that smaller clinics cannot offer.
The hemodynamics clinic is supported 24/7 by:
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Fully equipped Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit.
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Blood bank and emergency laboratory.
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A multidisciplinary team of cardiovascular anesthesiologists and nurses specializing in cardiac catheterization.
Frequently Asked Questions about Surgical Risk (FAQ)
Is a procedure in the cardiac catheterization lab painful?
No. Unlike traditional surgery, percutaneous procedures (such as catheterization or pacemaker implantation) are performed under local anesthesia at the puncture site (usually the wrist or groin) and with light sedation. You will be relaxed, pain-free, and conscious enough to communicate with the medical team at all times.
How long should I stay in the hospital after the procedure?
Recovery time is significantly shorter thanks to the minimally invasive procedure. For purely diagnostic studies, most patients return home the same day after a few hours of observation. For treatments such as coronary stent or valve placement, the stay at the Mérida Clinic is usually very short, generally 24 to 48 hours under safety monitoring, allowing for a quick return to your daily life.
What is the difference between a normal operating room and a hemodynamics clinic?
A traditional operating room is designed for open surgeries that require large incisions and extended recovery times. In contrast, the cardiac catheterization lab is equipped with real-time X-ray technology (fluoroscopy). This allows us to navigate with millimeter precision inside your arteries using tiny catheters to reach your heart, resolving the problem without the need for a scalpel or opening your chest.
Does my major medical insurance cover these procedures?
Yes, the vast majority of major medical insurance policies cover the fees and hospital expenses for procedures performed in our cardiac catheterization lab (such as angioplasties, ablations, or pacemakers), as these are essential interventions for safeguarding the patient's life and cardiac function. Our team will provide you with the necessary guidance to facilitate the process with your insurance company.
Your Heart in Expert and Certified Hands
I am Dr. Alvaro Torre, a Clinical and Interventional Cardiologist. My medical practice is guided by excellence and continuous professional development.
Postgraduate studies at the Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology, the leading cardiovascular institution in the country.
Certified and Verified Physician: Professional License: 8349496 | Specialty License: 11577241.
