Integrated management of cardiac failure: the cardiac failure clinic.

The prevalence of the risk factors and the risk of cardiac failure are both increasing in China. This might be the consequence of the changes of the life conditions (emigration to the urban areas, changes in the diet and life style, lack of physical exercise, etc.). The wide range of clinical presentations of cardiac failure (acute or chronic) and of therapeutic approaches (medical or surgical) makes necessary the integration within the same structure of the various experts involved in the diagnosis and the treatment of cardiac diseases. Technologic and human resources required to offer all the options represent a multifaceted commitment which should be focused optimally in dedicated centers. In these centers, collaboration should replace competition between the medical and the surgical cardiac specialists. Development of team work should permit to optimize the cost efficacy of the treatments. Most of all, such a structure will facilitate the translation of innovative therapies between the research centers and clinical facilities.