Trust our team of specialists in familial cardiopathies and sudden death. We are continuously trained and use the most advanced techniques to provide you with an accurate diagnosis. We analyze your case in depth to determine the most appropriate treatment for you.
What Inherited Heart Diseases do we treat?

Cardiomyopathies
Familial cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle, often hereditary, that can affect its structure and function. The most common are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy/dysplasia. Rarer types include restrictive cardiomyopathy and syndromic, metabolic, or storage cardiomyopathies (amyloidosis, Anderson-Fabry, Friedreich's ataxia, RASopathies, glycogen storage diseases, etc.).

Channelopathies
Channelopathies are diseases that influence the heart's electrical activity, causing malignant arrhythmias. These include: Brugada syndrome, Long QT and Short QT syndrome, Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, Early repolarization syndrome, Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, Familial atrial fibrillation, Early and/or familial disorders of the sinus node and/or cardiac conduction and Familial sudden death

Aortopathies
Aortopathies are diseases affecting the aortic artery wall. They are classified into two main groups:
- Syndromic aortopathies associated with other disorders: Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, vascular involvement in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Turner syndrome.
- Non-syndromic aortopathies, such as thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections not associated with other manifestations.
How can we help you?
Diagnosis of Inherited Heart Diseases
In our clinic, we apply the latest advances in molecular diagnostics to identify the genetic causes of familial cardiomyopathies. This allows us to confirm suspicions, assess risks, and prevent adverse events. We combine genetic and clinical information to determine the extent of each patient's condition, using advanced tests such as echocardiograms, MRIs, CT scans, stress tests, heart rhythm monitoring, electrophysiological studies, and cardiac biopsies. Our personalized approach ensures an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan for each type of cardiomyopathies.
Treatment of Inherited Heart Diseases

Prevention of Complications and Arrhythmia Management
Treatment for familial cardiopathies focuses on preventing arrhythmias, heart failure, and other associated complications. The main goal is to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and improve patients' quality of life.
Depending on the type of cardiomyopathies, strategies vary:
- Avoiding triggers, such as intense physical exercise in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, or catecholaminergic ventricular tachycardia.
- Controlling electrolyte imbalances in channelopathies or fever in Brugada syndrome.
- Personalizing exercise prescriptions based on the disease and patient characteristics.
- Adapting treatment to specific circumstances, such as pregnancy and childbirth.
- Considering additional factors like diet, alcohol and tobacco use, sexual and reproductive activity, vaccinations, driving, and work or educational environment.

Pharmacological Treatment
Each congenital and/or hereditary cardiopathy may require specific pharmacological treatment to reduce the risk of arrhythmias and heart failure progression. This includes highly specialized drugs, such as:
- Channelopathies: Nadolol, mexiletine, flecainide.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Myosin inhibitors such as mavacamten and aficamten.
- TTR amyloidosis: Tafamidis.
- Heart failure: Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin.

Pacemakers and Defibrillator Implants
For patients at high risk of malignant arrhythmias, an automatic defibrillator implant may be recommended as a preventive measure. This device detects and corrects potentially fatal arrhythmias immediately, reducing the risk of sudden death.

Surgical and Interventional Techniques
When necessary, advanced surgical procedures and therapies are available, including:
- Left sympathectomy and arrhythmia ablation
- Myectomy and alcohol septal ablation
- Pacemaker implantation and cardiac resynchronization therapy
- Ventricular assist devices and heart transplants in advanced cases
Each treatment is personalized according to the type of congenital, ischemic, or hereditary heart diseases, ensuring the best option for every patient.
Why choose barnaclínic+?

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE IN INHERITED HEART DISEASES
At barnaclínic+, we are an international reference center for the diagnosis and treatment of familial cardiomyopathies, hereditary congenital heart disease, and syndromes associated with sudden death. We are the trusted cardiology center for FC Barcelona in sports cardiology and arrhythmia prevention, with a highly specialized team.
Our experts are internationally recognized, including Dr. Elena Arbelo, head of the Inherited Heart Diseases and Sudden Death at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Health (CSUR) and the European Commission (ERN). She also coordinates the Network of Centers of Expertise in Hereditary Arrhythmias and Sudden Death for both adults and children and is the lead author of the European Guidelines on Cardiomyopathies.
We also have Dr. Josep Brugada, who discovered Brugada Syndrome, one of the most relevant channelopathies in sudden death research. Our multidisciplinary team offers a comprehensive approach supported by cutting-edge technology for the treatment of familial cardiopathies.

PERSONALIZED AND EFFECTIVE CARE
Every patient is unique, which is why we offer a fully personalized approach in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital cardiopathies and hereditary heart diseases. Our team designs tailored treatment plans, ensuring continuous follow-up and adaptive treatment to prevent sudden cardiac death and associated complications.

EXCELLENCE AT CLÍNIC BARCELONA
We are part of Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, a hospital with over 100 years of excellence in education, research, and top-level medical care. This combination of tradition and innovation allows us to provide outstanding medical care in a cutting-edge environment with renowned specialists in all areas of cardiovascular health.

TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED TREATMENTS
Our Familial Cardiopathies and Sudden Death Unit has the latest technology for diagnosing and treating congenital cardiomyopathies, chronic ischemic heart disease, and other hereditary heart disorders.
We offer cutting-edge procedures such as arrhythmia ablation, implantable defibrillators and pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and other innovative treatments. We are committed to providing advanced and personalized solutions for the best cardiovascular care for our patients.
Discover excellence in cardiovascular care at barnaclínic+. Request a teleconsultation with our specialists today!
EXPERT TEAM IN FAMILY HEART DISEASES AND SUDDEN DEATH
CARDIOLOGY BLOG
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