Biography

Dr Casanueva got her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at Autonoma University in Madrid, Spain, in 1997. She then obtained her Diplomate of National Board (MD equivalent) in paediatrics in 2002 at 12 Octubre Hospital, Madrid.

In 2007, Dr Casanueva completed her PhD at Complutense University in Madrid on “End of life strategies in the PICU environment”.

She gained qualifications in paediatric trauma initial care and paediatric and neonatal advanced life support in 2011.   

Areas of expertise

Dr Casanueva has extensive experience in the specialities of paediatrics, neonatology and intensive care (neonatal, general and cardiac). This includes:

• the management principles of pre and post-operative care in patients undergoing cardiac surgery
• the management of potential complications after cardiac surgery including cardiac arrhythmias, ECMO, acute renal failure, etc.
• clinical management on tracheostomy ventilation and specialist respiratory weaning strategies.

Research interests

In 2003, Dr Casanueva conducted research analysing the professional and parental perspective after a child´s death in the paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital (12 Octubre Hospital). The project was financed during by the Health Investigation Fund, a prestigious Spanish organisation which aims to develop investigation around the country.

From 2007 to 2010, she continued developing this research in 12 Octubre Hospital by investigating the impact of establishing a programme providing specific support by a multidisciplinary team to children and their families during admission to PICU.

Dr Casanueva also led a research project granted by the Mutua Madrileña Foundation between 2009 and 2010, investigating the emotional and physiological response of critically ill children listening to live music from a music therapist. The results of this project were presented in 2011 at a national level.

Currently, her main research interest is about ethical decision making around tracheostomy and long term ventilation.

Awards

She has been awarded the following prizes and distinctions:

• 2004 - Esteve Prize: by Esteve Foundation
• 2008 - Childhood Award: by Comunidad de Madrid
• 2010 - Farmaindustria Foundation
• 2011 - Health Service of Madrid

Teaching

Dr Casanueva has participated as a speaker in some National and International Conferences and courses organised by Children’s Long term Ventilation Service (Hospital to Home at Royal Brompton Hospital) as:

• Association of Paediatric Palliative Medicine Conference 2016
• European Neoethics Conference 2016
• Paediatric Cardiology Conference. Madrid 2016
• Neonatal Respiratory Conference 2017