University Medical Center (UKE) and University Heart Center (UHZ), Hamburg, Germany

The Heart Transplant Department of the University Heart Center Hamburg offers cutting-edge diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Regular partnership with both local and international hospitals (and registered cardiologists) has helped cement the reputation of UHZ as a respected centre for research and teaching. Established in 2005, UHZ’s 700 staff offer round-the-clock care to over 220 patients.

Among its several departments, the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery covers the complete spectrum of heart diseases that require surgery, from the very young to the elderly. Its focus is on minimally invasive heart-valve surgery, especially heart-valve repair. The department carries out over 2000 open-heart operations a year, with wide experience in a variety of techniques.

The Haematology Department has a research and clinical focus on allo-transplants, carrying out around 200 such transplants a year. Clinically, the department also focuses on cell and gene therapy, while its research interests include the prophylaxis and treatment of GvHD. Collectively, the department is responsible for the publication of around 100 peer-reviewed articles a year.

The Department of Stem Cell Transplantation of the University Medical Center in Hamburg (UKE) is one of the largest and leading centres in Germany and Europe. Its international reputation makes it a regular host for visiting physicians from across the world. The department offers treatment for malignant and non-malignant haematological disorders using the most modern techniques in transplant medicine and cellular therapy. In order to fulfill its tasks at the frontline of patient care and innovation in stem cell transplantation, the department runs three wards, an out-patient clinic as well as basic research and translational research laboratories. The Photopheresis unit which is located in the out-patient clinic performs about 1000 procedures per year. The Unit offers ECP treatment for graft-versus-host disease, solid organ rejection and mucosis fungoides.