About the institute

Residence of NICVD

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases is one of the top, best equipped healthcare centers of cardiovascular medicine in Slovakia.

Well-educated and trained healthcare staff that have a very good reputation at home and abroad are working in this institute. There is probably no cardiologist, cardiac or vascular surgeon who did not pass an elective stay in this institute for his further professional qualification. Excellent results of everyday routine activities and ambitions for successful care of patients are reflected abroad. Frequent electives of the hospital staff in well-known centers abroad and extensive cooperation with important persons of cardiovascular medicine from all over the world are evidence of such standing. The Institute is taking part in many scientific projects and multi-center clinical trials concerning the use of new therapeutical strategies. This is why the outstanding qualities of the institute are generally accepted. The investments that were spent on development of this modern centre, have resulted in excellent care and complete recovery of many patients that have then been able to return back to their families and work.

History

Primal residence NICVD

Primal residence NICVD

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD)in Bratislava, a center of excellence for cardiovascular healthcare and prevention, was created by the Slovak government in November, 1979. The institute was first located in the national heritage building. Completed in 1914, the building was first used as a sanctuary for nuns and in the twenties was the general hospital of the Lutheran church. After World War II, the building was administered by the state and dedicated to Comenius University School of Medicine for educational purposes of medical students. Two important clinical centers, specializing in thoracic and cardiovascular medicine, were located there for thirty years:

• I. Division of Internal Medicine of Comenius University School of Medicine LF UK directed by the famous Slovak cardiologist professor Vladimir Haviar, MD.
• II. Division of Surgery of Comenius University School of Medicine LF UK, directed by the well known thoracic surgeon professor Karol Siska, M.D., PhD., that was in its early stage profiled as the first centre of cardiothoracic surgery.

Both departments, guided by progressive managers and well educated surgeons and internists, soon became well known not only in Czechoslovakia but also abroad. This professional background was manifest also after the creation of an independent Institute of cardiovascular diseases that was later renamed the Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD).

An important milestone in the development of this top centre was the construction of a new building. The institution moved there in May, 1997. The new centre that became a pleasant environment for patients and hospital staff is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and healthcare equipment. Three departments and independent healthcare sections that provide top level European services form pillars of the Institute. The Institute also provides postgraduate education of physicians at its three faculties and one sub-faculty of the Slovak Medical University.