IMSS Opens New Hemodynamics Unit to Expand Cardiac Care

The Mexican Social Security Institute has launched a new hemodynamics unit at Hospital General Regional No. 1 “Dr. Carlos Mac Gregor Sánchez Navarro,” expanding its capacity to treat cardiovascular disease, the country’s leading cause of death, through higher-complexity diagnostic and interventional procedures.

The unit began operating on Dec. 12 and performed 11 procedures during its first days, including five under the IMSS “Código Infarto” protocol, which prioritizes rapid intervention for patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction. Zoé Robledo, Director General, IMSS said the new facility strengthens second-level care and supports timely treatment for patients requiring specialized cardiovascular attention.

“Cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of mortality in Mexico, and expanding hemodynamics capacity allows for earlier and more effective interventions,” said Robledo during the inauguration, noting that the investment seeks to improve outcomes by reducing response times and increasing procedural availability.

The opening forms part of a broader IMSS strategy to decentralize advanced medical equipment and services, particularly in areas where access to high-complexity cardiovascular care was previously limited. With this addition, the institute now operates 34 hemodynamics units nationwide at the second level of care, increasing its ability to perform catheterizations, angioplasties and endovascular therapies across multiple regions.

Hemodynamics units play a central role in diagnosing and treating heart and vascular conditions, as well as selected cerebrovascular disorders. According to IMSS officials, the new unit at HGR No. 1 is equipped to carry out cardiovascular and cerebrovascular procedures, interventional radiology, tumor chemoembolization, the placement of occlusion devices, catheter-based prostheses and valves, and electrophysiology studies for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Robledo said IMSS performed about 40,000 hemodynamics-related procedures annually before the expansion of these units into second-level hospitals. The incorporation of additional facilities has added roughly 10,000 procedures this year alone, putting the institute on track to close 2025 with approximately 50,000 procedures nationwide. The increase reflects both expanded infrastructure and growing demand associated with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia, which raise cardiovascular risk.

Hospital General Regional No. 1, located in Mexico City, has operated for 77 years and provides services to more than 421,000 beneficiaries. The hospital employs 2,277 workers, including 470 physicians and 753 nurses. From January through November 2025, the facility recorded more than 315,000 specialty consultations, 32,294 emergency visits, 13,380 discharges and 8,250 surgical procedures, underscoring its role as a high-volume referral center within the IMSS system.

The new hemodynamics unit is expected to reduce patient transfers to other hospitals and improve continuity of care by enabling complex procedures to be performed on site. IMSS officials emphasized that faster access to interventions is particularly critical in acute coronary events, where treatment delays can significantly affect survival and recovery.

The inauguration also included a tour of the hospital’s pathology service, which IMSS described as a key component of diagnostic capacity. The department processes more than 2,500 slides per month across cytological and medical diagnostics, a digitalization unit and an autopsy room. Strengthening complementary diagnostic services is intended to support more accurate and timely clinical decision-making across specialties.

The expansion of cardiovascular care capacity comes as Mexican employers and healthcare providers increasingly focus on prevention and chronic disease management. Long working hours, elevated stress levels and low rates of regular physical activity contribute to rising cardiovascular risk among the working-age population, placing additional pressure on public health institutions. Business and health experts have warned that untreated chronic conditions not only affect individual well-being but also reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs over time.

In this context, IMSS investments in specialized infrastructure are aligned with broader efforts to shift from reactive treatment to earlier intervention. By improving access to procedures such as angioplasty and electrophysiology studies, the institute aims to limit complications, shorten hospital stays and support patients’ return to daily activities.

IMSS authorities said the new unit also complements preventive strategies by enabling earlier diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. As demand for these services continues to grow, the institute plans to maintain its focus on expanding second-level capabilities while coordinating with primary care to manage risk factors before they progress to acute events.

IMSS officials said the hemodynamics unit at HGR No. 1 represents a targeted investment intended to improve clinical capacity, operational efficiency and patient outcomes. As cardiovascular disease continues to account for a significant share of mortality and healthcare utilization in Mexico, the institute views infrastructure expansion as a necessary step to meet current demand and future pressures on the public health system.