Brief description of the competence networks

Competence Network Heart Insufficiency (CNHF):

www.knhi.de/en

The competence network heart insufficiency is an interdisciplinary cooperation project with its head office at the Charité in Berlin. Leading scientists in the field of heart insufficiency from 30 university hospitals, 5 research institutes, 7 heart centers, 17 hospitals for cardiovascular diseases, more than 200 medical practices and 4 rehabilitation centers are participating in this cooperation network. The nationwide integration of the diverse institutions shall lead to progress in research via synergy effects.

The scientific projects focus on the coordinated research of heart insufficiency, from epidemiology with molecular genetic causes and modern diagnose methods up to innovative therapy.

The genesis of heart defects can be ascribed to diverse environmental and life style factors. In the patient-orientated research of heart insufficiency it is a real challenge to recruit suitable patients from different institutions under the same diagnose criteriae and the same standards.

The biomaterial bank of the competence network was set up to establish a pool of valuable resources for the research of heart defects by means of registering, cataloging and storing of biosamples. It links sample information from patients with genetic information conforming to data protection.

Current Status of the Biosamples Bank:

There are samples of plasma, serum, and DNA from more than 10,000 patients with ICD-10 classification I00-I99 conforming the very high standards and quality of storage.

Samples in stock:

Serum and plasma stored at -80 °C, blood derivates and DNA stored at -20 °C.

Forms and information material (in german):

	Information: The central biomaterial bank of the competence network heart insufficiency
	Patient information and consent
	Application for samples from the network's biomaterial bank