Dr. Raúl Felipe Abella, MD, is a highly respected cardiothoracic surgeon based in Barcelona, serving at Centro Médico Teknon. With 34 years of experience, he specializes in congenital heart surgery—treating both pediatric and adult cases—using advanced techniques and achieving exceptional patient outcomes.
Full Name: Dr. Raúl Felipe Abella
Title: Medical Doctor (MD)
Experience: 34 years in cardiothoracic and pediatric cardiovascular surgery
Main Specialty: Pediatric and congenital heart surgery, complex open-heart procedures
Educational Background
Medical Degree: MD from La Sapienza University, Italy (1986)
Advanced Training:
Cardiovascular surgery internships in Rome, Milan, Modena, Paris, Geneva, and Switzerland
Training in congenital heart morphology and pediatric surgery (1987)
Certifications: Recognized specialist in pediatric cardiovascular surgery and congenital heart disease
Current Roles: Surgeon at Centro Médico Teknon, Head of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, and Director of Barcelona International Heart Centre at Dexeus University Hospital
Career Highlights:
Over 5,000 cardiac surgeries performed with excellent outcomes
Participated in 56 humanitarian missions treating congenital heart defects internationally
Operates complex congenital cases with postoperative survival rate above 98%
Academic Contributions
Speaker at over 100 national and international medical conferences
Author of more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and clinical studies
Director of pediatric cardiovascular surgery programs in developing countries (e.g., Cuba, Peru)
Mentor to young surgeons and medical teams during humanitarian missions and in Barcelona hospitals
Areas of Expertise
Pediatric congenital heart defects: Treatments from neonatal age to adolescence using advanced surgical techniques
Complex open-heart surgery: Includes tetralogy of Fallot, interrupted aortic arch, single ventricle (Fontan/Glenn)
Cardiac transplantation: Experienced in pediatric heart transplants and neonatal surgeries
High-complexity procedures: Recognized with Aristotle Basic Complexity Score of 7.3–8.1
Publications and Research
Dr. Abella has contributed substantially to pediatric cardiovascular surgical research. Highlights include:
Over 200 articles published in international cardiovascular journals
Studies on complex congenital heart surgery techniques and outcomes
Clinical evaluations of survival rates and operative complexity using Aristotle scoring system
Patient Care Philosophy
Compassionate commitment: “The most important thing for a surgeon is being human” — Dr. Abella emphasizes trust and availability
Parental support: Maintains personal communication with families to reduce anxiety before and after surgery
Global accessibility: Offers care to international patients and ensures tailored ICU and post-op care at private facilities
Professional Affiliations
Founding Member, World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery
Member, European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
Head of pediatric cardiac surgery programs recognized by Spanish and international medical societies
FAQs
Is Dr. Raúl Felipe Abella board-certified?
Yes. He is a certified pediatric cardiovascular surgeon with European and international recognition.
What types of surgeries does he perform?
He specializes in pediatric congenital heart defect repair, complex open-heart procedures, and heart transplantation.
Does he treat international patients?
Yes. He regularly operates on children from abroad and organizes remote case coordination and tailored ICU care at private facilities.
How long is the typical hospital stay?
Hospitalization duration depends on the complexity of the procedure; most post-op ICU stays last around 3–5 days.
What languages does he speak?
Dr. Abella speaks Spanish, English, and Italian fluently, enabling effective communication with international families.
Can parents communicate with him directly?
Yes. He provides his mobile number to families for urgent concerns and reassurances during recovery.
Patient reviews
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Patient reviews
Australia,
Jun 17, 2022
Ciana
I had aortic valve replacement at Dexeus University Hospital in Spain. The surgery was complex and there were many risks in getting the surgery done. I trusted Dr. Raul and he made the surgery successful. I am very thankful to him.
Germany,
May 29, 2021
Lucrecia
My sister had an atrial septal defect for which the only treatment was surgery. We took her to Dexeus University Hospital and luckily Dr. Raul took her case. Her surgery went very well and she had a quick recovery. The hospital ambiance is quite nice and great for patients.
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