Professor Steffen Behrens: State-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of heart disease

The Vivantes Hospital for Internal Medicine-Cardiology and Conservative Intensive Care specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and lung disease. Furthermore, patients suffering from a range of internal conditions can be monitored, diagnosed and treated at its conservative intensive care unit. Every year, the department treats more than 5,500 patients in its medical wards and around 1,600 patients in its intensive care unit.

Beyond its main specialisms, the department offers solutions for the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease. Its areas of expertise include:

• Angina pectoris and heart attacks; all forms of cardiac catheter treatment (including cardiac catheter on 24-hour standby)

• Hypertension, heart failure and cardiomyopathy

• Pacemaker and defibrillator therapy

• Diseases of the arteries and veins

• Pulmonary embolisms

• Supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias

• Interventional electrophysiology (including pulmonary vein isolation in cases of atrial fibrillation)

• State-of-the-art cardiological imaging (in collaboration with the radiology department) using cardiac CT, MRI and 3D echocardiography

• Angiopathy and stent implantation in constricted arteries in the neck

• Diagnosis and treatment of syncope (fainting)

• Diseases of the heart valve

• Bronchopulmonary diseases

• Bronchial carcinoma

• Emergency care

Senior Consultant Professor Steffen Behrens, head of the department since 2002, has built up a great deal of relevant specialist experience both in Germany and abroad.

“In recent years, the possibilities in diagnosis and, above all, therapy in clinical cardiology have brought enormous improvements for our patients, opening up new treatment horizons,” says Professor Behrens.

Vascular disease – Interventional treatment of the coronary arteries

We are a member of the Vascular Centre at Vivantes Hospital North. This interdisciplinary collaboration between several departments decides on the optimum form of treatment for patients suffering from vascular disease. In our two cardiac catheter laboratories, more than 2,400 diagnostic examinations are performed every year; over half the patients go on to receive interventional treatment in the department. The examination in over 90 per cent of cases is performed via the artery in the wrist. This form of access entails only a minimal risk of complications. The patient is able to stand up immediately after the procedure and can, if they wish, leave the hospital within a short time.

Prevention

Treating patients suffering from acute conditions is one thing, but we believe it is equally important to prevent heart disease from occurring in the first place and to advise patients on questions related to diet, obesity and lifestyle in general. Patients who come to us for a check-up are informed of their individual risk profile as well as suitable preventive measures. All types of invasive and non-invasive examinations are available for carrying out check-ups.

The department has many years of experience in looking after foreign patients. High-quality medical care and nursing is obviously important but the wellbeing of the individual is a top priority. Patients enjoy a high level of comfort in modern, hotellike rooms, while a diverse range of services as well as nurses and administrative staff trained in intercultural awareness make your stay at Vivantes Hospital as pleasant as possible.