What sets us apart
When parents learn that their child has a congenital heart defect, it is a life-changing moment. It brings with it many worries, questions, and uncertainties. Our clinic exists precisely for these children and their families.
At the German Heart Center at Charité (DHZC), we have been treating patients with congenital heart defects for more than 30 years – from the smallest premature babies to adults who have undergone complex previous operations. We are one of the largest centers of its kind in Europe. Every year, we perform several hundred cardiac surgeries – including many rare and particularly complicated operations. The high number of procedures means: a wealth of experience, extensive routine, and a well-coordinated team.
Our treatment quality – tested and proven
Quality cannot just be promised – it must also be proven. That is why we have been documenting and analyzing our results for many years in the ECHSA database, one of the largest international quality platforms for pediatric heart surgery. We are the only center in Germany that has been reporting all procedures anonymously since 2012 and has them regularly checked externally. Our actual mortality rate is significantly below the long-term average that would be expected given the high complexity of the procedures.
Our clinic offers the entire spectrum of pediatric heart surgery and surgical treatment of congenital heart defects—from newborns to adults. We perform several hundred cardiac surgeries each year, including many rare and complicated operations.
Our clinic offers the entire spectrum of pediatric heart surgery and surgical treatment of congenital heart defects—from newborns to adults. We perform several hundred cardiac surgeries each year, including many rare and complicated operations.
Expertise even with complex heart defects
Some children are born with such complex heart defects that other clinics sometimes see no possibility of treatment. Whenever possible, we also take on these special patients. These include, for example, children who have undergone multiple previous operations, those with a single ventricle, severe pulmonary vein stenosis, or rare combinations of the great arteries. Our experienced team is skilled in a wide range of corrective and palliative procedures. For some of these rare and complicated malformations, we have developed special surgical procedures that are only offered at a few centers worldwide. These include double switch surgery for ccTGA, en bloc rotation of the truncus arteriosus for TGA with pulmonary stenosis, and reconstructive surgery for pulmonary vein stenosis. Our goal is to enable the best possible quality of life, even in difficult circumstances.
Our particular expertise also includes the surgical treatment of rare and particularly complex heart defects.
Our particular expertise also includes the surgical treatment of rare and particularly complex heart defects.
Minimally invasive – whenever possible
Whenever it is medically safe to do so, we use minimally invasive procedures—such as small incisions in the armpit or video-assisted access. For our patients, this means smaller scars and often a faster recovery because no bones need to heal together. The scars are barely visible. Once the heart defects have been corrected, there are no immediately visible scars that could be interpreted as a sign of heart disease and cause the patient to feel ill. This is particularly important in children.
Surgery without transfusions
The administration of “blood reserves” is a sensitive issue—especially in infants and young children. That is why we do everything we can to avoid it. With decades of expertise and modern blood-saving procedures using a mini heart-lung machine specially developed for the youngest patients with the world's smallest filling volume and cell saver systems, we are able to perform even major cardiac surgery without the use of donor blood in many cases – even on newborns. These specialized techniques are not only particularly gentle, they have also been proven to shorten the duration of ventilation and intensive care, allowing parents to return to normal life sooner, which also provides additional security.
Supply from a single source
All departments at our center work closely together in a structured manner: pediatric heart surgery, pediatric cardiology, anesthesia, intensive care medicine,nursing, surgical services, aftercare, and psychosocial support. This interdisciplinary collaboration ensures that your child receives the best possible care at every stage of treatment – seamlessly and without friction.
Long-term care and EMAH center
Even after a successful operation, we continue to support our patients in the long term – right into adulthood. At our specialized EMAH Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Defects, we combine state-of-the-art diagnostics with years of experience – for safe care at every stage of life.
