2 September, 2026

barnaclínic+ strengthens heart failure care with a specialised Unit

barnaclínic+ strengthens its specialised Cardiology services with the consolidation of a dedicated Heart Failure Unit, bringing together and enhancing the expertise, specialists and resources available for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with heart failure. The Unit is staffed by cardiologists from Hospital Clínic de Barcelona with specific expertise in this condition, providing coordinated care throughout every stage of the disease, from diagnosis and early treatment optimisation to the management of advanced heart failure.

This model of care is based on personalised medicine, multidisciplinary collaboration and specialist follow-up, with access to highly accurate diagnostic techniques, innovative drug therapies, interventional procedures and advanced treatments.

Comprehensive, personalised heart failure care

Heart failure is a complex condition that can develop as a consequence of various cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (heart attack), high blood pressure, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathies and certain arrhythmias. Effective heart failure management requires correctly identifying the underlying cause, understanding each patient’s individual characteristics and acting early to select and optimise the treatment likely to provide the greatest benefit.

The consolidation of the Unit strengthens this comprehensive model of care and provides patients with a specialised, coordinated care pathway throughout the course of the disease.

“Heart failure is a complex condition, but today we have treatments that can change its course. The key is early diagnosis, correctly identifying its cause and providing personalised treatment from the earliest stages.”

Dr Pedro Caravaca, cardiologist specialising in heart failure

Specialist diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

The Heart Failure Unit at barnaclínic+ takes an individualised approach to every case. The aim is to confirm the diagnosis, identify the underlying cause of the condition and assess associated health problems in order to establish the most appropriate treatment strategy. The Unit has access to techniques including advanced echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac CT, Holter ECG monitoring, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, BNP and NT-proBNP biomarkers, and cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography when indicated.

Once the diagnosis has been established, the team carries out early treatment optimisation, incorporating therapeutic strategies proven to improve the prognosis of heart failure and tailoring them to each patient’s individual characteristics.

Obesity and heart failure: a cardiometabolic approach

Treatment also takes into account the conditions and factors that can influence the progression of heart failure. In certain patients, obesity can play an important role in the development and progression of the condition, particularly in some forms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach and coordination with Endocrinology specialists make it possible to address overall cardiometabolic risk and assess new treatment options. Recent advances are opening up new therapeutic possibilities for certain patients with obesity and heart failure, with strategies aimed not only at weight management but also at improving symptoms and functional capacity.

Follow-up and patient education complete this approach. Understanding the condition, recognising potential warning signs and actively participating in its management can help prevent episodes of decompensation, reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life.

A combined approach to heart and kidney health

One of the distinguishing features of this model of care is the Cardiorenal Unit, which enables coordinated management of patients with both heart failure and kidney disease.

Cardiologists and nephrologists work together to optimise treatment, preserve heart and kidney function and prevent problems affecting one organ from unnecessarily limiting treatment options for the other.

Access to advanced therapies and clinical research

The Unit also provides continuity of care when the condition progresses and becomes more complex. When indicated, patients can access interventional cardiology procedures, cardiac devices, cardiovascular surgery and treatments for advanced heart failure, including ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation.

Clinical care is complemented by the specialists’ participation in national and international research projects focused on heart failure and on the development and evaluation of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This also makes it possible to consider access to clinical trials when appropriate for the patient.

Specialist care at every stage of heart failure

The Unit treats patients experiencing their first symptoms or who have recently been diagnosed, as well as people with established heart failure who need their treatment reviewed or optimised. It also provides specialist assessment for patients whose condition is worsening, who experience episodes of decompensation or repeated hospital admissions, who need to be assessed for advanced therapies, or who wish to seek a second opinion on their heart failure diagnosis or treatment.