Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

The Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), founded in 1971, is the largest specialized medical and research center in the Czech Republic. It focuses on cardiovascular diseases, organ transplantation, diabetology, and metabolic disorders, providing cutting-edge treatments and innovative therapies. As a state-funded public hospital, IKEM operates under the Czech Ministry of Health, ensuring high-quality care accessible to both domestic and international patients. With its state-of-the-art facilities and a multidisciplinary team of experts, IKEM has become a reference center for complex medical cases, attracting patients from around the world. IKEM is internationally recognized as one of Europe’s leading transplantation centers, performing over 500 organ transplants annually. It specializes in heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, pioneering advanced techniques in artificial organ development and regenerative medicine. In addition, IKEM is at the forefront of cardiology, heart failure therapy, and robotic-assisted heart surgeries, making significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine. The hospital is also a global leader in diabetes research and treatment, particularly in pancreatic islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes patients. IKEM comprises four specialized centers: the Cardiac Centre, the Transplantation Centre, the Diabetes Centre, and the Experimental Medicine Centre. These centers are supported by various departments, including the Directorate, Economic and Operational Department, Nursing Care and Quality Department, Healthcare Operations Division, and the Specialized Outpatient Care Division. The Cardiac Centre is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases, including heart transplantation. It collaborates with departments such as cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, anesthesiology, and preventive cardiology. The Transplantation Centre coordinates programs related to kidney and liver transplants, as well as combined kidney and pancreas transplantations. It works closely with departments of transplantation surgery, anesthesiology, nephrology, hepatogastroenterology, immunology, and transplantation documentation. The Diabetes Centre provides comprehensive care for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Its services include prevention, individualized treatment plans, transplant treatments (such as pancreatic and combined kidney-pancreas transplants), and management of diabetes-related complications. The Experimental Medicine Centre focuses on molecular biology, genetics, and the study of experimental pathophysiological models. It serves as a base for postgraduate studies in related fields and manages various research projects funded by grants and institutional resources. Beyond clinical care, IKEM is a major hub for medical research and innovation, collaborating with international institutions and universities to develop groundbreaking therapies. Its Clinical Research Center plays a crucial role in conducting clinical trials for new transplantation methods, artificial organ technologies, and metabolic disease treatments. With a team of over 300 physicians and 600 nurses, and 315 hospital beds, including 111 in intensive care, IKEM continues to set new benchmarks in specialized healthcare, providing life-saving treatments and advancing global medical knowledge.