Andorra Opens First Interventional Cardiology Unit at Meritxell Hospital

Andorra's Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital has opened the country's first interventional cardiology unit, a 250-square-metre facility equipped with cutting-edge technology to handle basic cardiovascular procedures locally.

Inaugurated on 25 June, the unit became operational shortly after and has already treated 17 patients, including one with an acute infarction who avoided transfer abroad. Officials expect it to serve around 400 patients annually, sparing them trips to neighbouring hospitals in Spain or France for scheduled interventions.

The space, converted from a former storage area on the hospital's lower ground floor, includes a 50-square-metre procedure room, a 57-square-metre resuscitation area for up to four patients, medical offices, changing rooms, a control room, technical areas and a waiting room. The government invested €1.1 million in renovations, structural reinforcements and advanced equipment for interventional cardiology and haemodynamics.

Procedures now available on-site cover pacemaker implantation, electrophysiological studies, arrhythmia treatments and simple intracoronary stent placements, mainly for outpatient cases where patients arrive in the morning and are discharged by evening. More complex cases, such as most acute heart attacks (50-60 per year), will continue to be referred to Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau via air transport under the existing "lightning operation" protocol. Coronary pathologies accounted for 90% of the initial cases.

SAAS director general Meritxell Cosan described the project as a "decisive qualitative leap" for Andorran healthcare, noting its five-year development under predecessor Josep Maria Piqué faced delays from a halted tender due to legal challenges and the original contractor's withdrawal. She highlighted the unit's early success as a sign of institutional resilience.

Head of Government Xavier Espot called it a "national project" that bolsters healthcare autonomy, reduces patient anxiety over cross-border transfers and fits into recent upgrades like oncology services, a new MRI scanner and surgical robot. These advances, he said, also help attract top international talent.

The unit is led by renowned cardiologists Dr Josep Brugada, a global expert in arrhythmias and sudden death, and Dr Antonio Carballo, supported by five newly hired SAAS professionals. Health Minister Helena Mas praised the "Ferrari-level" facilities, with Brugada emphasising that all safe and effective procedures will now stay in Andorra.

Cosan added that the facility targets both ambulatory and admitted patients, such as those with chest pain or angina. Further expansions, including prostate surgery via the incoming surgical robot, are planned to broaden local capabilities.