Cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral and cerebral arterial ischemia / stroke, venuous disease) is one of the most preventable diseases but still the most common cause of severe illness and death in developed countries and fast developing regions. Recent improvements in diagnostics and treatment as well as in prevention have influenced the approach of medical care in many fields. Patients and physicians profit from state-of-the-art technology including advanced diagnostic and imaging techniques. Congestive heart failure routinely is managed by a conservative medical approach. In atherosclerotic disease (coronary, peripheral, cerebral), treatment strategies may be also a revascularization, based on catheter technology (PTCA / PTA / Stent implantation) or a surgical procedure (Bypass surgery, minimal invasive / off pump). Aquired or congenital valve disease as well as atrial and ventricular septal defects are investigated by imaging techniques and, if indicated, invasively. Therapy may require catheter based procedures or a surgical approach. Modern invasive treatment of cardiac arrhythmia involves catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia, i. e. AV-nodal Reentrant Tachycardia and WPW- Syndrome, of right and left atrial flutter and focal atrial tachycardia and lately, atrial fibrillation, also treatment of life threatening ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Implantation of ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) has become routine. In patients with severely reduced function of the heart, implantation of a CRT device (complex pacemakers with the opportunity of biventricular pacing) may be performed. In selected patients, catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia can be performed. For the youngest patients, a specialized paediatric / adolescent cardiology program providing diagnostics and treatment for infants, children as well as for adolescents and adults with congenital cardiac malformations and young patients with acquired heart disease is offered |