The Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (Instituto de Cardiologia y Cirugia) founded by the Ministry of Public Health, opened in 1966. From 1966 until 2004, Dr. Lorenzo D. Llerena Rojas was the director.
Since 2004, Dr. Lorenzo D. Llerena Rojas is the current director.
The Institute is both a hospital and a training center for medical professionals. It specializes in the treatment of cardiovascular disease with the most advanced technologies and equipment.
The Institute takes part in many international research projects. In 2009, it began a project with the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) to modernize its Nuclear Medicine Department. From this collaboration, Cuba received a SPECT gamma camera and equipment for its lab and treadmill.
The Institute is also involved in other regional cooperation projects dedicated to nuclear cardiology in the diagnostic and follow-up of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. This kind of knowledge exchange, the sharing of experiences and opinions among professionals in the field, benefits Cuba and the region.
Cuban doctors and scientists take part in other Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs), which bring together colleagues to build knowledge, share experiences and opinions among professionals throughout the world.
In 2015, a cardiovascular exchange program began between the Hearts Around the World organization and the Institute to advance cardiovascular medicine. Since that year, there have been many more international cooperation projects between doctors and researchers.
Doctors from other health centers often refer medical tourism patients of the cardiology program to the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery for heart surgery.
It is located at the corner of Calle 17 and Avenida Paseo in the Vedado district of Havana.
The Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery hours of operation are between 08:30 am to 05:00 pm for medical appointments and is open for cardiovascular emergencies.