Austria
A multidisciplinary team at Medical University of Vienna has significantly improved the treatment and research of endocarditis, a rare but life-threatening heart infection, by integrating expertise across multiple medical fields.Established a year ago in collaboration with University Hospital Vienna, the specialized endocarditis team has already evaluated around 120 patients using a structured and coordinated approach. By bringing together experts in cardiology, cardiac surgery, infectious diseases, radiology, nuclear medicine, and psychology, the initiative ensures faster diagnosis and more effective treatment decisions.Endocarditis remains a complex condition with high risks, including mortality rates of up to 30 percent. The team addresses this challenge through weekly interdisciplinary case conferences, allowing specialists to jointly assess each patient and determine optimal treatment strategies. Approximately half of the reviewed cases required surgical intervention, highlighting the severity of the disease.Beyond clinical care, the initiative also strengthens research and innovation. The systematic documentation of cases supports the development of clinical databases, registries, and evidence-based treatment methods. The team is also working toward integrating with international research networks such as Euro-Endo and launching new scientific projects.Close collaboration with external hospitals further enhances rapid decision-making and expands the reach of this structured care model. This integrated approach not only improves patient outcomes but also serves as a model for interdisciplinary medicine in Europe.
Source: Medical University of Vienna
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