Abstract
The Swiss Society of Cardiology (SSC) and the Swiss Society of Cardiac and Thoracic
Vascular Surgery (SSCTVS) have formulated their mutual intent of a close, patient-oriented,
and expertise-based collaboration in the Heart Team Paper. The interdisciplinary dialogue between the SSC and SSCTVS reflects an attitude in
decision making, which guarantees the best possible therapy for the individual patient.
At the same time, it is a cornerstone of optimized process quality, placing individual
interests into the background.
Evaluation of the correct indication for a treatment is indeed very challenging and
almost impossible to verify retrospectively. Quality in this very important health
policy process can therefore only be assured by the use of mutually recognized indications,
agreed upon by all involved physicians and medical specialties, whereby the capacity
of those involved in the process is not important but rather their competence.
These two medical societies recognize their responsibility and have incorporated international
guidelines as well as specified regulations for Switzerland. Former competitors now
form an integrative consulting team able to deliver a comprehensive evaluation for
patients. Naturally, implementation rests with the individual caregiver. The Heart Team Paperof the SGK and SGHC, has defined guide boards within which the involved specialists
maintain sufficient room to maneuver, and patients have certainty of receiving the
best possible therapy they require.
Keywords
heart team - coronary artery disease - transcatheter aortic valve replacement
