Prof. Dr Heyder Omran

Cardiologist Professor Dr Heyder Omran has been the head physician in cardiology at the GFO Kliniken Bonn with the sites St. Marien and St. Josef for about 20 years. As a specialist in internal medicine and cardiology, interventional cardiology (DGK), cardiac computed tomography (DGK), heart failure (DGK), he specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiological diseases. The experienced heart specialist and his teams treat more than 7,000 inpatients every year. In 2003, the expert and heart surgeon Prof. Omran was awarded the Paul Winterstein Prize of the German Heart Foundation.

At the St. Marien and St. Josef sites of the GFO Kliniken Bonn, the cardiology department, under the direction of Prof. Omran, has state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation laboratories at its disposal, in order to be able to carry out all common diagnostic examinations in high quality according to cutting edge science and medical technology.

The cardiac catheterisation laboratories are operated in cooperation with colleagues in private practice. This ensures a high medical standard and optimal care in the region, as all cardiac catheters are equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic facilities for the detection and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. All units were last renewed in December 2021. More than 3,000 cardiac catheter procedures are performed annually in the St. Marien and St. Josef Cardiology Department of the GFO Kliniken Bonn.

Cardiology at the GFO clinics is one of the largest providers in Germany

Prof. Omran's clinic has special expertise in the field of electro-cardiac implants. Nationwide, his cardiology department is one of the largest providers in this field and can offer all procedures including the implantation of special devices for the treatment of heart failure.

The range of services includes conventional pacemakers and defibrillators, micro pacemakers and defibrillators (without probe, respectively) as well as the implantation of special devices for the treatment of cardiac insufficiency. Another important focus is interventional electrophysiology, especially ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Focus on atrial appendage closure

Prof. Omran played a leading role in the development and establishment of atrial appendage closure as an alternative to oral anticoagulation in cases of atrial fibrillation. Together with colleagues from Frankfurt, he performed the first implantations worldwide in 2001. In the last 20 years, the method has been scientifically reappraised and further developed. A large study has shown that atrial appendage closure is not inferior to drug therapy when anticoagulation is not tolerated and significantly reduces the risk of bleeding. The GFO Kliniken Bonn is known nationwide for this procedure. Prof. Omran is a trainer for this procedure and supports the further development of the procedure at home and abroad.

Always at the cutting edge of science and research

In addition to providing state-of-the-art medical care, Prof. Omran's cardiology department is recognised by the German Cardiac Society (DGK) as a training centre for additional qualifications in interventional cardiology (DGK), cardiac computer tomography (DGK) and special rhythmology. But it is not only professional training and exchanges with colleagues at congresses and symposia that are close to his heart; he is also passionately committed to patient education. For more than 20 years, he has regularly conducted patient seminars (often in cooperation with the German Heart Foundation). For example, he places a lot of emphasis on good specialist therapy for common cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and cardiac insufficiency. Here, he advocates a modern combination of complementary preparations and always urges his patients to consider the factors that they themselves have control over and can influence: Weight reduction, exercise, abstaining from table salt, alcohol and smoking. "And it is important to regularly ensure rest and relaxation," the heart specialist warns.

Prof. Omran also provides information on the topic of PFO, the persistent foramen ovale. This is a congenital lobe-shaped opening between the two atria of the heart that every human embryo has. However, this hole does not close completely in about 25 per cent of people. "Scientific research shows that in the event of unexplained strokes, patients disproportionately often have a PFO," explains Prof. Omran. Most of the time, a PFO causes hardly any problems and often remains undetected. But a blood clot that has formed somewhere can pass through the small hole into the left atrium and from there via the aorta into the brain, where it clogs the vessels. "A vascular occlusion is responsible for about eighty percent of strokes," says cardiologist Prof. Omran. And about forty percent of strokes have an unexplained cause. Doctors then speak of a cryptogenic stroke. But in many of these patients, a PFO can be detected. There are various treatment options, both medicinal and interventional – these are catheter-based procedures; “these are systems to close the PFO," explains Prof Omran. "They are inserted via a cardiac catheter and close the hole with an umbrella implant." Several studies in recent years prove that this therapy is superior to drug therapy, especially in younger patients and in patients with risk features. "Therefore, medical societies recommend interventional treatment especially for these patients," Prof. Omran describes the latest state of science.