Despite all efforts and success in medical treatment, the incidence of (end-stage) chronic heart failure is increasing. Cardiac transplantation remains the only definite option; however, due to the shortage of donor organs, very few people benefit. Therefore, surgery of end-stage heart failure using conventional techniques has gained new interest after the introduction of the Batista operation. However, a clear surgical identification of the patients to be included in this group is lacking. Left ventricular reduction surgery as well as reduction of the base of the heart using mitral annuloplasty or mitral valve replacement, sparing both papillary muscles, is used in selected patients with satisfying results and good survival. Long-term mechanical support with subsequent surgical remodeling or supporting myoplasty may result in a beneficial alternative to heart transplantation.

Starting a business is hard, but keeping an established company going can be equally challenging. In the long run, every business will need to adapt to changing market conditions, technologies, and competitive environments. Achieving Longevity explains how to manage those changes through entrepreneurial thinking. As Jim Dewald shows, the most successful companies thrive by establishing decision-making processes that constantly engage new opportunities, enabling the firm to quickly adapt to disruptive technologies and business models. They allow for tinkering and experimentation and strive to both exploit their competitive advantage today and explore new ideas that will give them an edge tomorrow. Achieving Longevity provides a framework for introducing the tools and culture necessary to foster entrepreneurial thinking, as well as advice on how to overcome common obstacles to corporate entrepreneurship. Drawing on Dr. Dewald's own experience as an entrepreneur, a successful corporate executive, and a professor of strategy, the book offers numerous examples of how to combine the strengths of an established firm with the innovative, outside the box thinking of a start-up venture.

Patienten und ihre behandelnden AErzte werden zunehmend zu Partnern im diagnostischen und therapeutischen Prozess. Viele Herzerkrankungen lassen sich inzwischen besser diagnostizieren und sehr gut behandeln. Die Diagnostik mit modernen Geraten wird jedoch komplizierter und die Behandlungsverfahren werden oft nebenwirkungsreicher. Eine gute Information des Patienten foerdert das Verstandnis fur die verschiedenen Massnahmen. Aufklarung und Wissen um die Zusammenhange erleichtern das Einhalten der arztlichen Anordnungen, nehmen die Angst vor notwendigen Eingriffen und lassen Risiken und Komplikationen schneller erkennen. Die Empfehlungen zur Patienteninformation sind bewusst kopierfreundlich gestaltet. So kann der Arzt begleitend zum arztlichen Aufklarungsgesprach dem Patienten einzelne Kapitel zur Lekture mitgeben. Der Patient hat die Chance, die Informationen aus dem Gesprach nachzulesen, zu uberdenken und gezielt nachzufragen. Nur ein informierter und aufgeklarter Patient ist ein zufriedener Patient.