HYGEIA celebrates 15 years of operation of the Transcatheter Heart Valves Department: at HYGEIA, Cardiology maintains its pioneering role and evolves dynamically

11 December 2025

HYGEIA celebrates the 15^th anniversary of the Transcatheter Heart Valves Department, one of the most innovative and internationally recognized departments of interventional cardiology in Greece. Since October 2010, the Department has established itself as a a reference centre for the advancement, clinical application, and education in state-of-the-art transcatheter valve interventions, providing patients with innovative and safe therapeutic solutions.

The Transcatheter Heart Valves Department, of HYGEIA was founded in 2010 by the Interventional Cardiologists Konstantinos Spargias and Michail Chryssoheris and since then, has become one of the most widely recognized referral and training centres.

Thanks to the vital contribution of Cardiac Surgeons Stratis Pattakos and Grigoris Pattakos and in close collaboration with Nikos Bouboulis and the Cardiac Surgery Clinic, HYGEIA has created one of the first organized “Cardiac Teams” in Greece, introducing a new model of collaboration between specialties.

Through its 15 years of operation, the Department has performed more than 2.000 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantations (TAVI) and more than 500 Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Repairs or Replacements. It was the first in Greece to implement the full spectrum of contemporary transcatheter techniques, introducing the latest-generation TAVI valves, as well as the mitral and tricuspid valve repair procedures using clip-based systems (MitraClip and Pascal). It also carried out the country’s first transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve implantations (Evoque and M3). At the same time, it has played a pivotal role in training physicians and establishing TAVI and other transcatheter therapy programmes in hospitals across Greece and abroad – from the USA and Europe, to the Middle East, Korea and Japan.

The scientific team of the Department, which currently consists of the physicians Konstantinos Spargias, Stratis Pattakos, Grigoris Pattakos, Michael Chryssoheris, Nikolaos Bouboulis, Panagiota Kourkoveli, Kyriakos Katsianos, Dionisios Aravantinos, Konstantinos Stathogiannis and Paraskevi Grammata, has played a key role in shaping the standards for the modern treatment of valvular diseases. Many of the Department’s oldest associates currently hold positions of responsibility in leading public and private hospitals in the country.

In addition to its clinical activity, the Department maintains a strong research and educational activity, with more than 70 publications in international scientific, top-rated journals, such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JACC, Circulation and European Heart Journal.

The Director of the Department, Interventional Cardiologist Mr. Konstantinos Spargias, stated: “The development of transcatheter therapies has radically transformed the landscape of valvular heart disease management. Today, the majority of these patients can be treated with a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure, avoiding surgery and returning quickly and safely to their daily lives. Over the past 15 years, has consistently stood by our side as a steadfast supporter and partner in this journey, fostering an environment encouraging innovation, scientific advancement and continuous upgrading of our services. The trust of patients and the dedication of our team form the cornerstone of our success, while the cooperation among all specialties together with the support of HYGEIA provides the foundation on which we continue to grow, united by a shared vision to deliver the highest standard of care to every patient”

HYGEIA, remaining firmly oriented towards innovation and scientific excellence, continues to offer its patients high-quality medical care, with respect and safety.