When problems occur in a small heart
For a quarter of a century, doctors, nurses and other medical staff at the Heart Center Leipzig have been caring for the well-being of cardiac patients. This place has long been one of the most popular addresses for medical professionals in Europe and is also known worldwide. It is not least due to the excellent staff working here. One of the staff members is Dr. Peter Kinzel, Senior Physician at the University Hospital of Paediatric Cardiology.
Dr.Peter Kinzel knew since his childhood what he wanted to be. He wanted to study medicine like his mother. The native of Saxony, he has purposefully chosen his specialization. Mr. Kinzel could choose from several areas of specialization, but he liked paediatrics most of all. However, he was not admitted to Leipzig University that Kinzel had hoped for so much. At that time he did not have 'social prerequisites' for this. Therefore, the hospital in Zwenkau became his first place of work. A way to cardiology finally opened up for the young doctor in 1984. At that time he acquired an opportunity to become a medical assistant in the team of prof. Dr. Karl Bock, who is one of the protagonists of paediatric cardiology in Germany. In his Leipzig team, Peter Kinzel began working as a paediatric cardiologist.
Postgraduate education in Vltava
Prague is the city of hundred spiers, the golden city. The Czech capital has many names and continues to delight people. The East German doctors were generally not allowed to travel west to study and attend conferences. Back in the 1960s, the world famous children's cardiology center was opened in Prague. This Center had close connections with London. For many paediatric cardiologists from the German Democratic Republic, including Peter Kinzel, Prague was the gateway to the outside world. 'Once a year, we had an opportunity to learn something new about diagnosing and treating children with cardiac diseases,' says he enthusiastically. At that time Peter Kinzel developed friendly relations with colleagues from Prague, which he still maintains.
"About one in every hundred children is born with a heart defect. An in about a third of these children this heart defect is significant. The congenital abnormalities that may be manifested in the heart and lungs system are complex.
This requires us, medical professionals, to constantly search for solutions to create adequate living conditions for our young patients."
Dr. Peter Kinzel, Senior Physician at the University Hospital of Paediatric Cardiology
The beginning of a new professional path
Since 1994 the purposeful establishment of the Cardiology Center Leipzig involved the creation of absolutely new options for medical care provision to cardiac patients. Highly qualified staff, modern technologies, a new clinic, of course, the paediatric cardiologists from Leipzig led by professor Peter Schneider wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Peter Kinzel soon joined this team. 'The consolidation of paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery was a big step forward in the treatment of children with cardiac diseases,' he says about the first years of his professional activity.
While babies born with a heart defect several decades ago had little chances to survive, today more than 90% of them reach adulthood,' says Dr. Kinzel, who currently works as Senior Physician at the University Hospital of Paediatric Cardiology at the Heart Center Leipzig. Doctor specialization in the treatment of such patients is especially important. Peter Kinzel understood this and became one of the first doctors in Germany to receive additional qualifications in the treatment of adults with congenital heart defects (CHD). 'About one in every hundred children is born with a heart defect. An in about a third of these children this heart defect is significant. The congenital abnormalities that may be manifested in the heart and lungs system are complex. This requires us, medical professionals, to constantly search for solutions to create adequate living conditions for our young patients,' he explains.
"Being there for patients has been and remains a part of my life in which, of course, my family, friends, as well as hobbies, for example, hiking, have their place."
Dr. Peter Kinzel, Senior Physician at the University Hospital of Paediatric Cardiology
Teamwork ensures support
The Heart Center Leipzig performs more than 300 surgeries in patients with congenital heart defects every year. About a third of these patients are newborns and infants. In 2018, 62 newborns (under four weeks of age), 127 infants (under one year old), 121 children and 55 adults underwent surgeries. 'Close collaboration between paediatric cardiologists, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, which is common in the Heart Center, helps young patients and their parents. The established teamwork here has provided me with an incredible support in my work for 25 years,' says the 67-year-old expert. 'Being there for patients has been and remains a part of my life in which, of course, my family, friends, as well as hobbies, for example, hiking, have their place.'
For many years, Peter Kinzel has paid particular attention to foetal echocardiography. This method allows classifying heart defects in the embryo. A task that requires physician's experience and ability to see the prospects. Dr. Peter Kinzel has both. The Heart Center will use both after his silver jubilee.
Qualification for children of early and school age
The experienced medical experts and paediatricians of the Heart Center Leipzig treat young and adult patients with congenital heart defects as well as children with acquired heart diseases. We follow-up many of our patients in our special center for adults with congenital heart defects until they reach adulthood.
