Competence Network

Each year in Germany, about 6,000 children are born with a heart defect. In total, there are currently between 200,000 and 300,000 young children, adolescents and adults living with this disease in Germany. These patients are often chronically ill and require special medical care. Physicians and researchers working for the Competence Network for Congenital Heart Defects are making efforts to remedy the lack of research and healthcare options for patients suffering from this syndrome.

This collaborative effort involves hospitals, heart centres, rehabilitation centres and practising physicians. Together, they have built up an interdisciplinary research structure which, for the first time, offers the possibility of conducting multi-centric studies on congenital heart defects. This efficient approach results in high-quality research findings and, in the longer term, improved patient care. “We are creating an efficient research structure for congenital heart defects that benefits patients, industry and government, and which gives long-term strength to Germany’s reputation as a place of research”, states Professor Lange, past chairman of the competence network.

The competence network is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Its patron is Friede Springer.