Important patient information
Avoid Misinformation, Assess Risks Objectively
What applies to different risk groups?
The corona pandemic is spreading continuously. It is understandable that many parents of children with congenital heart disease are concerned.
Factual and medically incorrect information is not helpful, nor is misleading, false information, which can be found everywhere, particularly on social media.
The experts say the following: Caution is required for everyone, great caution for certain risk groups.
-
Low risk
Heart defect with normal heart function and normal ventricle size. No relevant cardiac arrhythmias. No pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension). Minimal residual shunt or slight valve leakage (regurgitation) or narrowing (stenoses).
Recommendations for work and school
No restrictions on participation in everyday work and school life.
Adherence to the following protective measures: distance, hygiene, all-day masks, corona warning app, ventilation.
Compliance with governmental pandemic regulations.Medical care in case of illness from Covid-19
Self-isolation for mild symptoms. Telephone contact with family physician and paediatric cardiologists/GUCH cardiologists.
collapse
In case of shortness of breath, fluid deficiency, and/ or increased severity of symptoms, medical examination and early admission to hospital is strongly recommended.
-
Moderate risk
All patients whose diagnoses do not fall under those with low or high risk.
Recommendations for work and school
Avoid contact with sick people or people with suspected illness. Increased vigilance.
Adherence to the following protective measures: Distance, hygiene, all-day masks, corona warning app, ventilation.
Compliance with government pandemic regulations.Medical care in the event of illness from Covid-19
Even in the case of mild symptoms, consult a pediatric cardiologist/GUCH cardiologist.
collapse
In case of shortness of breath, fluid deficiency, and/ or increase of severity in symptoms, early admission to hospital and consultation with paediatric cardiologists/GUCH cardiologists is strongly recommended.
-
High risk
Heart defect with single chamber hearts, fontan circulation. Heart defects with cyanosis. Severe valve stenosis or leakage. Severe ventricular dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension. Syndromes with immunodeficiency, missing or insufficient function of the spleen (heterotaxy syndromes). Transplanted patients.
Recommendations for work and school
For GUCH patients in any case: home office / home schooling.
For children, an assessment must be made by the treating pediatric cardiologist, since children generally seem to have a lower risk of disease and must be protected from isolation.
Avoid contact with patients or persons with suspected illness. Increased vigilance.
Adherence to the following protective measures: Distance, hygiene, all-day masks, corona warning app, ventilation.
Compliance with government pandemic regulations.Medical care in case of illness from Covid-19
In any case: Inpatient admission to a cardiac center or supraregional GUCH center.
collapse
Hotline
For general information, as well as personal advice on the coronavirus, please contact the patient service of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung) at the number 116 117.