Ersatzkassen risks due to new heart therapy

New TAVI method poses dangers for cardiac patients

28/10/2013

The Verband der Deutschen Ersatzkassen (vdek) warns of the risks of a novel procedure for the treatment of patients with a severe narrowing of the aortic valve. Although the „catheter-assisted aortic valve implantation“ According to the vdek, the number of interventions is rapidly increasing (TAVI) according to a guideline, according to the vdek. However, this means an increased risk for patients, since many clinics are not adequately equipped in case of complications.

TAVI as an alternative for older, weakened patients
The Ersatzkassen warn of health risks by the relatively new so-called „catheter-assisted aortic valve implantation“ (TAVI), in which patients with a constriction of the aortic valve by catheter replacement flap is introduced. This method was developed as a treatment alternative for elderly, debilitated patients, for whom a traditional heart aortic valve operation with use of the heart-lung machine would be too risky and therefore out of the question.

Number of interventions increases rapidly
However, according to the Verband der Ersatzkassen, there are doubts as to whether the new procedure will actually be used primarily for patients at risk, because the number of TAVI procedures is increasing rapidly, according to Ulrike Elsner, CEO of vdek. So had the „Hospital Report 2013“ an increase in the number of interventions from 529 in 2008 to 9685 in the past year, at the same time decreased the proportion of „classical“ Operation with heart-lung machine from 11,205 (2008) cases to 10,324 (2012).

18 hospitals are undergoing surgery without cardiac surgery department
However, the increase in TAVI interventions was „medically not explain“, as Ulrike Elsner explained to dpa. After all, every clinic that wishes to offer the method should have a cardiological specialist department in accordance with a quality agreement - in order to be able to initiate life-saving measures immediately in the event of complications. Instead, according to the report, but last year 18 hospitals had the method without a corresponding department made, which means additional risk for patients with no longer properly functioning aortic valves between heart and aorta, according to Ulrike Elsner.

Improved quality agreement to protect patients
For this reason, the replacement funds now want to improve the existing quality assurance agreement for TAVI and adapt it to the current situation: „We want our policyholders to benefit from new therapies such as TAVI. It is important to us that patient safety is guaranteed and that the mandatory quality standards are always adhered to. With the quality agreement, participating hospitals guarantee our insureds compliance with these requirements“, so Ulrike Elsner. (No)

Image: Dieter Schütz