Deutsch Intern
Department of General Practice

KARDIO

KARDIO. Joint project on coronary angiography – towards optimal treatment of patients with chest pain

In Germany, there are big regional differences in the frequency of coronary angiography procedures. In the KARDIO project, clinical pathways for patients with chest pain have been developed in conjunction with healthcare professionals involved.

KARDIO consists of several consecutive partial projects. In previous partial projects, the nationwide rates of coronary angiographies were measured and regional differences were analysed. The current project is taking place simultaneously in four selected regions (Berlin, Bochum, Göttingen, and Würzburg). The project aims to improve the medical care of patients with chest pain. For this purpose, clinical pathways concerning the indication for coronary angiography have been developed in accordance with available evidence and in close cooperation with regional healthcare providers (general practitioners, cardiologists, as well as accident and emergency departments).

 

Participants in the KARDIO project

KARDIO is a three-year project and is funded by the Innovation Committee of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). The Department of General Practice, Preventive, and Rehabilitation Medicine of the Philipps University of Marburg is responsible for the lead management of the KARDIO project. Further project partners are:

1. Universities 

a. Charité – University Medical Centre Berlin (Institute of General Practice)
b. Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum (Department of General Practice)
c. University Medical Center Göttingen (Department of General Practice)
d. University Hospital Würzburg (Department of General Practice)
e. Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (Department of Health Services Management)
f. University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research)
g. East Bavarian Technical University Regensburg (Faculty of Social and Health Care Sciences)

2. Health insurance companies

a. AOK-Federal Association
b. AOK scientific institute
c. BARMER
d. WINEG (TK) 

3. and several institutes and healthcare organizations

a. German Cardiac Society – Cardiovascular Research e.V.
b. Stiftung IHF (Foundation Institute of Myocardial Infarction Research)
c. Ärztliches Zentrum für Qualität in der Medizin (Centre of Quality in Medicine)
d. Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF).