Heart Specialist in Stuttgart (Baden-Wuerttemberg): PD Dr Gitsioudis

Card

PD Dr Graduate Physicist Gitsios Gitsioudis specializes in interventional cardiology, heart failure and cardiomyopathies, cardiovascular imaging, and acute and emergency internal medicine. He is the Head Physician and Medical Director of the Clinic in Internal Medicine, focusing on cardiology, angiology, and internal intensive care medicine at the Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus Stuttgart.

The highly motivated team led by PD Dr Gitsioudis offers individual, patient-centered, high-quality care for all cardiovascular diseases, focusing on minimally invasive interventional procedures. In addition to complex coronary interventions, peripheral vascular interventions, and the implantation of pacemaker systems, heart valve defects, and congenital heart defects are also treated using interventional techniques. All this is done according to the principle of "Sustainable cardiovascular medicine with heart and mind for the patient's benefit."

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is associated with narrowing the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with blood. Calcium or fat deposits can cause narrowing or even complete vessel blockage.

This slowly progressive or, in an emergency, acute reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle increases the risk of sudden cardiac death. Warning symptoms can include chest tightness during exertion or at rest, dizziness and weakness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

At the Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus in Stuttgart, we provide thorough and professional cardiological diagnostics, followed by an experienced risk profile assessment and information about possible treatment options.

Specialist in Minimally Invasive Procedures and Stent Implantation for CHD

Depending on the severity, drug therapy can be the first line of treatment. PD Dr Gitsioudis recommends surgery for advanced vascular narrowing. Today, very good interventional and minimally invasive techniques are available, meaning that open surgery can be avoided in many cases.

The specialist in cardiac catheterization carries out a diagnostic coronary angiography to evaluate the artery's condition and degree of narrowing.

Effective Treatment with Stent Implantation for Advanced CHD

Dr Gitsioudis can respond immediately during the same procedure and place a stent in cases of abnormal artery profiles and severe narrowing. All surgery steps are discussed clearly and transparently with the patient in advance. The team also provides information on preventive measures and lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors.

The clinic offers various cardiac catheterization techniques, including balloon catheter vasodilation, coated metal stents, suction catheters for treating blood clots, and rotating vascular drills. The technical equipment and treatment methods align with the latest and most up-to-date scientific findings.

State-of-the-art alternatives to traditional stents, such as biodegradable and self-dissolving stents, are also used and represent an excellent treatment option for younger patients, as they reduce negative factors such as restricted vessel mobility and the risk of blood clots. Correct positioning is crucial when inserting stents. PD Dr Gitsioudis has many years of experience in this field, ensuring excellent and safe results.

The cardiology department at Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus offers complex interventions that are minimally invasive, gentle, and carried out with outstanding expertise so that patients can feel well cared for at all times. Postoperative care and detailed information about the necessary medication are provided sensitively and understandably, with sufficient time for questions.

PTA and Stent Implantation for PAD: State-of-the-Art Medical Care in Stuttgart

Narrowed arterial vessels, for example, in the legs, are referred to as peripheral arterial occlusive disease and are accompanied by exertion-dependent pain due to reduced blood flow to the tissue. As the disease progresses, this can lead to pain at rest and even tissue damage. Correct and early treatment is, therefore, extremely important. The Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Internal Intensive Care Medicine at the Karl-Olga-Klinikum provides it with a high level of expertise and know-how.

Great importance is always attached to interdisciplinary cooperation between internal medicine and (vascular) surgery. A shared ward, close consultation, and collaboration between the various specialist departments ensure optimal and effective patient treatment.

Interdisciplinary Therapy Approaches for Optimal Treatment of PAD

The therapy aims to improve blood circulation to reduce further damage. In Stuttgart, this is part of a comprehensive program that includes lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, medication, walking training, and, if necessary, an interventional procedure to widen the narrowed blood vessels.

Before this, Dr Gitsioudis conducts a detailed and professional diagnosis to evaluate the stage of the disease and the risk factors so that an individual treatment recommendation can be made.

Specialist in Heart Muscle Diseases and Cardiac Arrhythmias

Tiredness, performance loss, and dizziness can be the first signs of cardiac arrhythmia. The specialists at Stuttgart Cardiology use various methods such as ECG, long-term ECG, and event recorders to diagnose patients. In addition, imaging diagnostics such as cardiac ultrasound and cardiac MRI can be used to make a precise diagnosis. The cardiology department at Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus in Stuttgart employs outstanding doctors who can detect even the most minor deviations from the standard thanks to their many years of experience.

Various treatment options are available. From purely medical treatment to electrical ablation and the implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators, the cardiology department in Stuttgart offers an entire range of services for treating cardiac arrhythmia.

The implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator is usually recommended, particularly in the case of more severe clinical pictures with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. This low-risk procedure can also be carried out on older patients without problems.

The clinic has a specialized cardiomyopathy outpatient clinic for cardiomyopathies (heart muscle diseases). In particular, the clinic is one of the few specialized clinics with extensive experience in the innovative treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Many Years of Expertise in the Closure of Persistent Foramen Ovale (PFO, ASD, VSD)

A remaining opening between the two atria of the heart is relatively common and is known as a persistent foramen ovale. In many people, the foramen ovale goes unnoticed, as there are no symptoms in many cases. However, there is generally an increased risk of a blood clot developing, which can migrate from the right to the left atrium and, in the worst case, trigger a stroke in the brain.

Therefore, professional and precise diagnostics are of great importance in assessing the patient's risk profile and expressing a competent treatment recommendation. In some cases, a conservative approach can be pursued. However, Dr Gitsioudis and his team of cardiologists in Stuttgart can close the opening with an umbrella in a gentle catheter-assisted procedure via the inguinal vein.

The clinic plays a supra-regional role in PFO care. In addition, PD Dr Gitsioudis and his team are one of the few cardiologists in Germany with experience in the interventional treatment of a ventricular septal defect (VSD), particularly after a heart attack.

Minimally Invasive Therapies for Heart Valve Disease: TAVI and MitraClip

A heart valve insufficiency occurs when a heart valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow back into the heart. The mitral valve, responsible for blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, can strain the heart if it leaks. The aortic valve, responsible for blood flow from the heart into the body's circulatory system, can also be affected by insufficiency and cause severe limitations.

Minimally invasive treatment using state-of-the-art procedures such as TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) and MitraClip (transcatheter mitral valve repair) is available at the Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus in Stuttgart. These gentle procedures can also be used in patients with pre-existing conditions and older patients for whom open surgery would be too risky. This is because patients with valve disorders often have other accompanying illnesses and are older, so a minimally invasive procedure without opening the chest offers a clear advantage. The clip holds the valve leaflets together, preventing blood from flowing back into the heart when the valve is closed.

The highly motivated team at Karl-Olga-Krankenhaus provides clear and competent information about this modern procedure. The top priorities are individualized treatment solutions, patient-centered care, and long-term treatment success.

Please Visit the Website of the Clinic for Internal Medicine with a Focus on Cardiology, Angiology, and Internal Intensive Care Medicine for Further Information.