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At the Arrhythmias, Genetic Cardiology and Sudden Death Unit at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, we specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these conditions.
Early diagnosis of an arrhythmia radically changes a patient’s prognosis, as with the right treatment, it goes from being a potentially life-threatening condition to a chronic condition posing minimal risk.
At the Arrhythmia Unit at SJD Barcelona, we examine each patient’s heart using a comprehensive and personalised approach. In addition to the patient’s medical history and information provided by their family, we have a full range of diagnostic tests at our disposal and, where necessary, we also have implantable devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators.
Our multidisciplinary team, comprising specialists in cardiology, electrophysiology, psychology, nursing, genetics and precision medicine, supports the patient and their family at every stage of the process, looking after both the child’s cardiac health and their emotional wellbeing, as well as that of those around them.
We involve the patient’s wider circle as a fundamental part of their care, from their family to their school, and we prepare them to make daily life as normal as possible and to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, they know how to react appropriately. Furthermore, when a case of sudden death occurs in a family, we carry out genetic testing on the children to determine whether there is a genuine risk.
Accreditations
- CSUR en Arritmias en edad pediátrica (35R2) y en cardiopatías familiares (37R1): acreditación del Ministerio de Sanidad que distingue a los centros con mayor experiencia y mejores resultados en el tratamiento de estas enfermedades a nivel nacional.
- SEC-Excelente en Cardiología Pediátrica: sello de calidad otorgado por la Sociedad Española de Cardiología que reconoce la excelencia asistencial de la unidad.
- ERN GUARD-Heart: centro de referencia de la red europea que reúne a los principales especialistas en enfermedades cardíacas raras y complejas, para compartir conocimiento y mejorar el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los pacientes.
Why SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital?
Our experience and expertise have made us an international benchmark, with 24 per cent of our patients coming from countries outside the European Union.
We use remote monitoring systems to identify risks and take proactive measures in the event of potential complications; and, in families with a history of the condition, we carry out the relevant genetic tests.
We use advanced techniques such as catheter ablation, a procedure that enables us to locate the source of the arrhythmias, even in complex cases such as intractable tachycardias in paediatric patients.
The Unit is made up of internationally renowned professionals and is headed by Dr Georgia Sarquella-Brugada, one of the most recognised experts in paediatric arrhythmias and sudden death.
We work in partnership with the healthcare professionals closest to the patient and offer training programmes aimed at family members and schools, in which participants are taught, amongst other skills, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques.
Our experience and effectiveness
consultations per year
interventional procedures per year
cardiac ablations per year
immediate effectiveness in cardiac ablations
Data from 2025.
Our professionals
1% of children suffer from arrhythmias, and we work to ensure that this life threatening illness can become a normalised and controlled chronic condition.
"When we arrived at the hospital with Maria four years ago, her life hung by a thread but thanks to the arrhythmia specialists at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital today she is a very healthy and cheerful girl."
Research and innovation
In addition to providing clinical care, the Unit’s professionals are also involved in research into cardiovascular diseases at the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu. The main areas of research they are pursuing are:
- Pathophysiological mechanisms of sudden death, channelopathies and cardiomyopathies.
- Genetic basis of familial heart diseases.
- Electrophysiological approaches in paediatric cardiology.
- Study of cardioneuromuscular disorders.
- Characterisation of biomarkers in rare heart diseases.
- Telemonitoring and the development of digital platforms.
Training
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with the Universitat de Barcelona. We share our knowledge and train professionals so that they can specialise in highly complex medicine, offering:
- Master’s degree in Electrophysiology (awarded by the Universitat de Barcelona).
- Master’s degree in Paediatric Cardiology (awarded by the Universitat de Barcelona).
- Training stays and rotations.
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