The new department of cardiac surgery is the centerpiece of the future Heart Centre at University Medicine Greifswald. It complements the existing cardiology services and now enables even closer interdisciplinary collaboration. The newly formed heart team includes not only cardiologists but also experienced cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiovascular technicians, as well as functional and nursing staff. Under the leadership of Prof. Teréza Andrási-Wensauer, who heads the cardiac surgery department, and Prof. Christian Templin, Director of the Department of Internal Medicine B (including Cardiology), comprehensive patient care is ensured.
‘With the opening of cardiac surgery, we are expanding the excellent cardiomedical expertise in Greifswald and securing the leading position of university medicine in the research and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The combination of cardiology and cardiac surgery in one facility is a great benefit for patients in Western Pomerania,’ emphasised Minister Martin in her speech. She also handed over a grant of around two million euros, which will be used to procure state-of-the-art medical equipment and infrastructure.
Thanks to the funding, special, minimally invasive procedures such as laser extraction of implanted pacemakers and defibrillators can now also be carried out in Greifswald. This procedure, which requires no opening of the chest, enables gentle treatment and a faster recovery for patients.
University Medicine Greifswald is delighted to be making another important contribution to healthcare in the region with this opening and at the same time further consolidating its role as a leading centre for cardiomedical research and treatment. ‘Cardiac medicine stands for highly specialised medicine that saves lives, provides quality of life and gives people hope,’ emphasises Prof. Uwe Reuter, Chairman of the Board of Greifswald University Medicine.
