In this interview, EP Lab Digest speaks with Mrs. Claudia Florio Ferrari about the “European Heart for Children” project.

Tell us about the launch of the European Heart for Children. When and why was this initiative formed?

When my husband was elected President of the European Society of Cardiology in May of last year, I was surprised to discover that the ESC was not involved in any humanitarian project. Since then, with the support of the Board and the help of other cardiologists and their wives, we have come up with a concrete project to help children with congenital diseases; this was launched at the ESC Congress 2009 in Barcelona at the beginning of September. Europe is a continent with many contrasts, and in some countries the treatment of congenital heart disease is still not widely available.

What services will the European Heart for Children offer? Who will be participating in this initiative?

The “European Heart for Children” project involves three steps: 1) bringing humanitarian missions to operate on children in the targeted countries; 2) training doctors, nurses and technicians to take the skills back to their own countries; and 3) helping the countries financially and professionally to set up a unit for the treatment of congenital heart disease to allow treatment of children in their own countries.

A medical mission will initially visit two countries that are members of the ESC, where treatment of congenital heart disease in children is suboptimal. The countries will be identified from ESC National Societies providing statistics on the number of congenital heart operations undertaken in their country each year. The intention is to demonstrate both to the medical and political community the potential for treating children with congenital heart disease. Missions, typically lasting for six to seven days, will review around 100-150 cases identified by the local national societies, selecting around 15-20 children for immediate surgery, with the more complex cases being offered the chance of surgical interventions in more advanced Western centers.

Describe the medical missions that have already taken place. Are there upcoming medical missions planned as well? Will the missions be focused to certain countries in particular?

The first mission took place in Damascus, Syria, from April 18-20th. It was conducted in partnership with the Association Bambini Cardiopatici nel Mondo. Syria was chosen because Bambini Cardiopatici nel Mondo has been collaborating with the University of Damascus for more than 10 years and has operated on more than 70 children. A center for diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease was built and is due to open in October 2009. This will offer treatment for 800-1000 babies per year. If the initiative proves successful in two pilot countries, it will be extended to others demonstrating a need. In our selection as well as identifying countries that undertake limited surgery, we'll also look to detect those countries that have a good possibility for success. They'll need to have politicians who embrace the idea and are willing to fund a new department of congenital heart disease three or four years down the line. The aim is especially to promote treatment of congenital heart disease in European countries where treatment is difficult. Another mission will be carried out before the end of this year.

Who can participate in the European Heart for Children’s missions?