Heart Failure (HF) Outpatient Clinic - in accordance with Section 116b, SGB V (Social Law Book)
Our Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic is open to patients who experience reduced physical capacity and dyspnea (shortness of breath) as a result of impaired heart function.
In accordance with Section 116b of the German Social Law Book (SGB), we offer a separate outpatient service for patients with severe heart failure. Here, symptoms can be evaluated and suitable surgical and/or non-surgical treatment options discussed.
NYHA classes
One way to assess the degree of severity of a patient's heart failure is to categorize it according to the severity of self-reported symptoms. The following NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification divides heart failure symptoms into four classes.
- Class I
No limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation or dyspnea (shortness of breath). - Class II
Slight limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, angina pectoris or dyspnea (shortness of breath). - Class III
Marked limitation of physical activity. Less than ordinary activity results in discomfort. - Class IV
Unable to carry out any physical activity without discomfort. Fatigue, angina pectoris, palpitations or dyspnea (shortness of breath) experienced at rest.
Services offered by the HF Outpatient Clinic
The outpatient diagnostic and treatment services for patients with severe heart failure (NYHA classes III-IV) who have been referred by their general practitioner or local cardiologist meet the requirements of Section 116b of the Social Law Book (SGB V).
The diagnostic and treatment services offered by our HF Outpatient Clinic can provide patients who present with severe heart failure with further treatment options targeting either the underlying disease or the symptoms that developed as a result of the side effects associated with previous or ongoing treatments.
As part of the services offered by the HF Outpatient Clinic, it is also possible to arrange a consultation with our cardiac specialist to discuss which of the currently available surgical and interventional options (e.g. MitraClip, minimally-invasive catheter-based aortic valve replacement, pulmonary vein isolation) might be suitable in the patient's specific situation and, if necessary, to weigh up the pros and cons of any such procedures.
An outpatient appointment usually lasts a whole morning and involves in-depth diagnostic testing, including:
- An in-depth consultation
- A physical examination, including blood pressure and heart rate measurements
- An ECG
- An echocardiogram
- Laboratory tests
- The appointment will conclude with a discussion regarding the best treatment options available for our HF patients,
many of whom will already be receiving drug-based therapy or will have been fitted with a pacemaker.
Recommendations for treatment will be based on the patient's current symptoms, and may involve a recommendation to continue treatment on an outpatient basis and review the situation at a follow-up appointment. In the case of patients with severely impaired physical capacity who show signs of decompensated heart failure, the recommendation may be to admit the patient and to continue treatment on an inpatient basis.
In order to qualify for outpatient treatment, patients need a referral form from their general practitioner or local cardiologist. To make an appointment, please contact the Patient Information Center (PIZ).
