The Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) has successfully performed Spain’s first cardiac surgery using both the Quantum perfusion platform and the SuperPAC circuit from Spectrum Medical.

A new step forward for cardiopulmonary bypass

The introduction of this technology marks a further advance in the evolution of cardiopulmonary bypass. Quantum and SuperPAC bring together perfusion, advanced monitoring, circuit management and sterile technologies in a single ecosystem, specifically designed to increase procedural control and support the perfusionist’s work.

This combination of technologies provides clinical teams with tools intended to support an increasingly precise, coordinated approach adapted to the needs of modern cardiac surgery.

Technology is made meaningful by people

Behind every technological advance, there is something even more important: people.

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we would particularly like to recognise the outstanding work of the entire team of professionals at HUCA and its Cardiovascular Surgery Department.

Our thanks go to Dr Jacobo Silva, Head of HUCA’s Cardiac Surgery Department; Dr Ana Barral, cardiac surgeon; and Javier García, perfusion nurse, for their commitment and dedication. We also thank all the professionals involved for making it possible for this first experience to be carried out with the safety, coordination and excellence that cardiac surgery demands.

Committed to innovation in cardiovascular perfusion

For the entire Biogen Diagnóstica team, it is a source of pride to have supported HUCA in introducing Quantum and SuperPAC and, as the Spanish distributor of Spectrum Medical technologies, to contribute to bringing new solutions to cardiovascular perfusion.

This first procedure represents more than the introduction of new technology. It marks the beginning of a new stage.

Congratulations to all the HUCA professionals who made it possible!

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In 2026, the campaign continues under the slogan ‘Move for your heart’, focusing on the importance of recognising warning signs and adopting small lifestyle changes that can help improve cardiovascular health.

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we are proud to support this initiative, reminding everyone that taking care of the heart involves both prevention and healthy habits, alongside timely detection and appropriate care for cardiovascular conditions.

Cardiovascular disease: a global healthcare challenge

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Spanish Heart Foundation (Fundación Española del Corazón), more than 6.5 million people die each year from cardiovascular disease, accounting for approximately one in three deaths globally.

Beyond well-known risk factors, this year’s campaign draws particular attention to signs and symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. Cardiovascular conditions can affect individuals of any age; issues such as congenital heart defects, cardiovascular disease in women, or uncontrolled hypertension require specialised attention.

For this reason, recognising warning signs and consulting a healthcare professional when necessary is an essential pillar of cardiovascular prevention.

‘Move for your heart’: small steps, lifelong habits

The proposal put forward by the Spanish Heart Foundation for this World Heart Day stems from a straightforward premise: consistent, small changes can make a substantial difference to our cardiovascular health.

Key recommendations from the campaign include:

• Moving more throughout the day, such as opting for the stairs instead of the lift whenever possible.
• Maintaining a balanced diet, prioritising fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Attending routine medical check-ups to help identify potential cardiovascular issues at an early stage.
• Taking regular active breaks during the working day, particularly in sedentary desk roles.
• Gradually increasing physical activity and embedding it into daily routines.

Rather than drastic, short-term measures, the aim is to build sustainable habits that can be maintained over time.

The vital role of prevention and cardiovascular care

Cardiovascular wellbeing requires an integrated pathway that begins with prevention, but extends seamlessly into diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment whenever cardiovascular disease is present.

Within this framework, coordinated teamwork among cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, intensivists, clinical perfusionists, nursing staff, and allied healthcare professionals is vital to deliver specialised care at every clinical stage.

Medical technology forms an integral part of this continuum of care, providing advanced tools that assist clinicians across diagnostic, therapeutic, and cardiovascular support procedures.

Biogen Diagnóstica: healthcare technology at the service of clinical professionals

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and medical centres, delivering solutions across key areas of cardiovascular care, particularly in cardiac surgery, extracorporeal perfusion, and ECMO life support.

Our commitment is to ensure that healthcare teams have access to reliable medical technologies tailored to the rigorous demands of their clinical practice.

This World Heart Day, we would like to extend our special appreciation to all healthcare professionals who work tirelessly each day in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Move for your heart

World Heart Day serves as a vital reminder that cardiovascular care is a daily commitment.

Spotting warning signs, undergoing recommended screenings, adopting healthy habits, and staying active are core steps highlighted this year by the Spanish Heart Foundation to protect heart health.

Biogen Diagnóstica proudly reinforces the campaign’s core message:

Move for your heart. Look after your cardiovascular health today.

You can explore the guidelines and resources for World Heart Day 2026 on the official website of the Fundación Española del Corazón.

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However, in children and adolescents, there is a natural challenge: as the body grows, treatment needs to adapt to the patient’s changing height.

A recent study published in the Revista Española de Cardiología (Amici A, et al. 2026) analysed more than 500 procedures and demonstrated something simple yet fundamental: a child’s height is the best guide for determining the required stent size and when minor adjustments may be needed in the future.

Key findings from the study:

• A direct relationship with height: As the patient grows, a larger arterial diameter is needed.
• Better planning for clinicians: Using a mathematical formula based on height, specialists can predict the most suitable time to carry out any necessary enlargements as the child develops.
• Safe outcomes: The procedure immediately restores smooth blood flow without placing unnecessary strain on the heart.

VACS® balloons: technology adapted to every stage of life

To successfully carry out these procedures and any later enlargements, specialists need tools that offer maximum safety and control.

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we support medical teams with the VACS® aortic dilatation balloon range (VACS® II and VACS® III):

• VACS® II: A highly resistant balloon designed to expand the artery evenly and safely, ensuring precise dilation.
• VACS® III: A balloon with an agile design that facilitates access to difficult or narrow areas within the aorta.

These solutions enable clinicians to support each patient’s growth with confidence at every procedure.

Original scientific source: Amici A, Bethge-Ng GL, Ewert P, et al. Stent implantation for aortic coarctation in young patients: height matters. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2026;79(8):670–679. DOI: 10.1016/j.recesp.2025.12.015

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Safety and purity through a closed system

One of the key advantages of the MEISE system is its comprehensive closed-system process, which prevents blood from coming into contact with ambient air throughout preparation. This procedure significantly reduces the risk of contamination and ensures a final product with the highest levels of purity and biological safety.

The use of advanced closed-system technology represents an important step forward for hospitals and laboratories seeking to optimise the preparation of serum eye drops under more demanding quality standards.

Guaranteed sterility for patients

The system incorporates a 0.22-micron filter, designed to ensure the final sterility of the product. According to Dr Trujillo, this technology preserves the integrity of the serum’s beneficial components, giving patients the reassurance of receiving treatment prepared to advanced quality and safety standards.

Thanks to this controlled process, the MEISE system helps improve reliability and traceability in the production of sterile serum eye drops, a key aspect of advanced ophthalmology.

From an artisanal process to a semi-automated solution

MEISE enables a transition from manual methods to a semi-automated model, optimising time and increasing production capacity. This results in greater hospital efficiency, the ability to treat more patients and improved safety for healthcare professionals by reducing exposure to aerosols and splashes.

Partial automation also makes it easier to standardise product preparation, reducing variability and improving the final quality of treatment.

Autologous and homologous serum: the same safety, different indications

Dr María del Monte Trujillo highlights that autologous serum remains the first choice because of its complete biocompatibility: “the patient is their own medicine”. However, homologous serum is essential when repeated blood draws are not possible or clinical conditions prevent them.

In both cases, the MEISE system ensures the same standards of filtration, sterility and quality, providing a safe environment for preparing personalised ophthalmic treatments.

Technology serving advanced ophthalmology

The introduction of solutions such as MEISE, distributed in Spain by Biogen Diagnóstica, represents a significant advance in the production of serum eye drops. It offers hospitals and specialised centres a safer, more efficient tool aligned with the needs of modern medicine.

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we remain committed to bringing high-value healthcare innovation and technology closer to health professionals, promoting solutions that improve both clinical processes and patient safety.

More information about the MEISE system

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This was one of the central themes discussed during the 1st ECMO Update Conference in Spain. Held on 26 February at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid and organised by the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), the event brought together national and international specialists to analyse the current situation of extracorporeal support in Spain and to share clinical, organisational and training experiences.

A highly complex therapy on the rise

ECMO is an extracorporeal life support technique that temporarily replaces the function of the heart and/or lungs through an external circuit that oxygenates the blood and returns it to the body. It is used in critical situations such as severe respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock or refractory cardiac arrest, when conventional treatments are no longer sufficient.

In Spain, the development of specialised intensive care medicine programmes focused on ECMO has progressed significantly. This growth, led by multidisciplinary teams, has made it possible to expand clinical indications and dramatically improve the care provided to critically ill patients.

The current challenge: organising the healthcare system

During the conference, several specialists highlighted that the expansion of ECMO programmes has not always been accompanied by coordinated regional planning. According to the experts, the current organisation varies between Spain’s autonomous communities, creating differences in coverage, coordination between centres and critical care patient transport models.

In response to this situation, professionals from SEMICYUC stressed the need to move towards a structured national strategy for adult ECMO support, with the aim of ensuring:

• Equal access to therapy throughout the country.
• Consistency in healthcare quality standards.
• Sustainability of the public healthcare system.

International models show that the creation of reference centres, clearly defined referral networks and specialised transport systems helps to improve patient safety and the efficiency of clinical outcomes.

Training, research and care coordination

Another key topic discussed was the importance of strengthening national registries, outcome auditing and specialised ECMO training programmes. Collaboration between hospitals, scientific societies and healthcare authorities is considered essential for consolidating this advanced therapy.

Spain has highly qualified professionals in intensive care. The current challenge lies in improving organisational coordination in order to guarantee equal access and maintain high standards of quality in the management of critically ill patients.

Source: Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC)

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Technological innovation and advanced organ preservation

One of the key factors behind this leadership is the adoption and widespread use of organ preservation procedures using extracorporeal circulation devices (ECMO). This advanced technology makes it possible to maintain the viability of organs suitable for transplantation. Even in highly complex clinical situations, leading to improved clinical outcomes and expanding therapeutic options for patients.

Cardiac transplantation after circulatory death: a clinical milestone

Due to its particular technical complexity, only nine countries worldwide successfully carry out this type of procedure. In Spain, cardiac transplantation after circulatory death, performed following the donor’s cardiorespiratory arrest, now accounts for 35% of all heart transplants. This figure reflects the high level of clinical and technological development of the Spanish transplant system.

A strong and coordinated healthcare system

In addition to heart transplantation, kidney, liver, lung and other specialised transplants have contributed to maintaining exceptional donation and transplantation figures. All of this is the result of a robust, well-coordinated healthcare system with a long-standing record of excellence in this field.

Organisational model, solidarity and innovation

The combination of an efficient organisational model, a strong culture of solidarity and technological advances such as ECMO systems has enabled Spain not only to maintain. Also to continue strengthening its global leadership in organ transplantation, setting the benchmark for advanced medicine and healthcare innovation.

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This event will bring together interventional cardiologists from around the world to share experiences, knowledge, and the latest innovations in structural heart interventions. With 7 international speakers, 6 live clinical cases over 2 days of intensive practical training, the event aims to provide an advanced learning tool for professionals already experienced in structural therapies.

At Biogen Diagnóstica, we believe that innovation and specialised training are essential to advancing cardiovascular healthcare. Supporting initiatives like this reflects our commitment to medical progress, clinical excellence, and continuous improvement in interventional cardiology procedures.

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