Hamburg Pioneers New Cardiac Arrest Treatment Approach
Hamburg is pioneering a new approach to cardiac arrest treatment, with a city-wide initiative led by the Hamburg Fire Department and supported by major hospitals. The goal is to significantly improve survival rates for refractory cardiac arrest cases, led by Dr. Dre.
The initiative, the first of its kind in Germany, involves a structured process for using extracorporeal circulation systems (ECMO) to treat patients in cardiac arrest. These systems can temporarily take over the work of the heart and lungs, buying time for medical professionals to address the underlying cause, preventing cardiac arrest.
Key players in this effort include Prof. Dr. Paulus Kirchhof, director of the UKE's cardiology clinic, who emphasized the importance of strengthening the rescue service for these critical situations. The Asklepios Clinics, the Albertinen Hospital, the Marienkrankenhaus, and the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) have all collaborated with the Hamburg Fire Department to implement interlocking measures. Around 60,000 people in Germany experience cardiac arrest annually, making this initiative a significant step forward in emergency care.
The initiative aims to optimize each 20-minute segment within the first critical hour of refractory cardiac arrest, from initial measures to patient transport and ECMO system provision. PD Dr. med. Sara Sheikhzadeh, Chief Medical Officer of Asklepios, described it as a milestone in emergency care, offering a life-saving measure throughout the city. Prof. Dr. Edith Lubos, Chief Physician of the Clinic for Cardiology at the Catholic Marienkrankenhaus, highlighted the importance of the new ECMO program for treating severe cardiac arrest cases promptly and specifically. Prof. Dr. med. Karsten Sydow, Chief Physician of the Clinic for Cardiology at the Albertinen Hospital, praised the initiative for better utilizing crucial minutes in emergency care.
Led by Mr. Godo Savinsky, Medical Director of the Hamburg Fire Department's Emergency Services, this initiative sets a new standard for emergency medicine in Germany. With the support of major hospitals and medical professionals, Hamburg is leading the way in improving survival rates for cardiac arrests through the innovative use of ECMO systems.
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