German Heart Report 2013.

Objectives: The 25th German Heart Report provides a comprehensive analysis of morbidity and mortality in patients with selected heart diseases as well as services and care in cardiology and cardiac surgery in Germany during the period 2011-2012. It is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the German Heart Foundation, the German Cardiac Society, the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology and is based on data from different sources. In addition, trends of the period from 1995 to 2012 are presented.

German Heart Report 2013.

Objectives: The 25th German Heart Report provides a comprehensive analysis of morbidity and mortality in patients with selected heart diseases as well as services and care in cardiology and cardiac surgery in Germany during the period 2011-2012. It is the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the German Heart Foundation, the German Cardiac Society, the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and the German Society of Pediatric Cardiology and is based on data from different sources. In addition, trends of the period from 1995 to 2012 are presented.

Recommendations for improving the quality of the interdisciplinary medical care of grown-ups with congenital heart disease (GUCH).

Background/objectives: The number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients will be larger in the medium to long term than that of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. The present structures for the medical care of ACHD patients are not sufficient and need to be improved. Therefore the task force's assignment and objective was to develop recommendations for the structure of the interdisciplinary medical care of adults with congenital heart disease (GUCH).

Recommendations for adult and paediatric cardiologists on obtaining additional qualification in "Adults with Congenital Heart Disease" (ACHD).

Background: The number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients will be larger in the medium to long term than that of children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. The present structures for the medical care of ACHD patients are not sufficient and need to be improved. Therefore the Task Force aimed at developing recommendations for adult and paediatric cardiologists to acquire the additional qualification "Adults with Congenital Heart Disease" (ACDH).

[Congestive heart failure in childhood. An epidemiologic study].

Background: In contrast to the adult age group epidemiologic studies on congestive heart failure (CHF) in infancy and childhood are lacking.

Methods: Retrospective study of all patients admitted to the University Children's Hospital Essen, Germany, between 1989 and 1998 with the ICD 9 code for congenital and acquired heart diseases, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, arterial und pulmonary hypertension, and other cardiovascular anomalies. CHF was defined by the typical symptoms, start and end of CHF by commencement and end of anticongestive therapy (ACE inhibitors and/or diuretics and/or digoxin).

Infection by the respiratory syncytial virus in infants and young children at high risk.

The respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of infection of the lower respiratory tract in infants and young children, and is the leading cause of hospitalisation and death due to viral illness during the first year of life. In otherwise healthy infants, the virus usually causes only mild respiratory illness, but premature babies and infants with chronic lung disease, those with congenitally malformed hearts, or those who are immunodeficient, are at increased risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and death. Recent infection with the virus is also associated with increased postoperative complications after corrective surgery for congenitally malformed hearts.

[Implementation of psychosocial care in pediatric cardiology. Results of a national survey].

In the German health care system patient self-help groups assume growing importance. The aim of the umbrella organisation for self help groups in paediatric cardiology (Bundesverband Herzkranker Kinder e.V.