Heart failure
The Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité is the supra-regional heart failure centre in Berlin. It is certified according to the criteria of the German Society of Cardiology (DGK).
Colleagues from various specialist areas have been working together in a spirit of trust across all sites for many years and have developed an interdisciplinary concept for the joint coordinated care of patients with severe heart failure.
More information about the Heart Failure Centre
Additional qualification in cardiac MRI
The DHZC has been using MRI since 1996, and the clinic has played a leading role in the development of this diagnostic method in the field of cardiac medicine ever since.
The ‘CMR-Academy’ was founded as a subsidiary back in 2001 in order to impart the wide-ranging expertise at our hospital to radiologists, cardiologists and nuclear medicine specialists from all over the world in individually tailored courses. In 2015, our clinic was one of only a few centres in Germany to be certified by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) as a training centre for cardiac MRI examinations.
More about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Specialised rhythmology
Back in July 2014, the cardiology clinics at the DHZC were one of the first clinics in Germany to be awarded the seal of approval by the German Society of Cardiology as a site for obtaining the additional qualification ‘Special Rhythmology’.
The requirements include the regular implantation of all active cardiac rhythm implants and the regular performance of all forms of catheter ablation. This must be demonstrated with corresponding case numbers (e.g. at least 250 electrophysiological procedures, at least 100 pacemaker implantations, at least 40 ICD and 15 CRT implantations). The corresponding specialised experience of at least two specialists must also be documented.
More about rhythmology at the DHZC
Interventional cardiology
The Departments of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine at the Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Campus Charité Mitte and Campus Benjamin Franklin are certified as training centres for the additional qualification ‘Interventional Cardiology’. In addition to a broad spectrum and a high number of non-invasive and invasive examinations, this also requires the supervisors to be qualified.
TAVI certificate
In view of the constantly growing number of TAVI procedures, the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) has defined detailed quality standards to ensure high-quality and standardised care for TAVI patients in Germany.
Comprehensive criteria for indication, process and structural quality have been defined, according to which interested clinics and hospitals can apply for certification as a ‘TAVI centre - DGK certified’.
The DHZC is also a certified TAVI centre.
Hypertension Centre
In Germany alone, 30 million people suffer from high blood pressure, known as arterial hypertension. Our Clinic for Cardiology at the Virchow-Klinikum campus has the expertise as well as the facilities and equipment to provide optimal care for high blood pressure patients. This is why we have been awarded the ‘Certified Hypertension Centre DHL’ certificate by the German Hypertension League (DHL).
Further information on hypertension
Additional qualification in heart failure
The additional qualification in heart failure certifies a qualification process for specialised cardiological expertise in heart failure in Germany.
Heart failure is now the most common reason for hospitalisation in Germany. At the same time, the range of diagnostic and therapeutic options has expanded considerably over the last two decades. The knowledge required to optimise patient treatment has increased accordingly.
The DHZC has been certified by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) with the additional qualification of heart failure.
Additional qualification in cardiac computed tomography
As one of only three centres in northern and eastern Germany and the only centre in Berlin, the DHZC has been accredited by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) as a ‘Centre for Additional Qualification in Cardiac Computed Tomography’ since 2019. This authorises the clinic to train cardiologists as certified experts in the field of cardiac CT in accordance with the guidelines defined by the DGK.
Additional qualification in interventional therapy of arterial vascular disease
The incidence of arterial occlusive disease is increasing in line with demographic trends. As a result, the number of interventions in the area of the carotid, thoracic and abdominal aorta, visceral and pelvic/leg arteries is increasing. The interventions are carried out by specialists from different disciplines.
The certificate ‘Additional qualification for interventional therapy of arterial vascular disease’ is awarded personally by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) to the head or deputy head of the department. The DHZC has been certified by the DGK with the additional qualification.
Further information
Supra-regional EMAH centre
The DHZC has been certified as a supra-regional centre for the care of adults with congenital heart defects (EMAH) since 2011. A medical guideline for the treatment of EMAH patients was published in 2007 and a special additional qualification ‘Adults with congenital heart defects’ has since been established.
Thanks to medical advances, over 90 per cent of EMAH patients now reach adulthood. They require lifelong, highly specialised care, which is ideally provided by supra-regional EMAH centres such as the DHZC.
Further information about our EMAH centre
Chest Pain Unit
The DHZC has a Chest Pain Unit (CPU) certified by the German Society of Cardiology (DGK). The aim of the CPU is to be able to treat patients with acute and unclear chest pain quickly and optimally. The Chest Pain Unit aims to reduce (infarction) mortality, shorten hospitalisation times and reduce costs.
Further information on the Chest Pain Unit
Berlin-Brandenburg Heart Attack Register e.V.
The cardiology clinics of the DHZC at the Wedding, Mitte and Steglitz sites actively participate in the Berlin-Brandenburg Heart Attack Registry (B2HIR).
The B2HIR serves to ensure the quality of care for patients with heart attacks in the participating clinics. The DHZC clinics' participation in the B2HIR shows that the facilities endeavour to provide heart attack patients with the highest quality of care.
The Berlin-Brandenburg Heart Attack Register uses the data collected in the clinics to analyse whether the clinics are treating their patients in accordance with the guidelines.
