Friday, February 6, 2026

Novartis Germany and Ambulatory Heart Center Kassel develop standardized treatment pathway for sustainable lipid management

Novartis Germany and the Ambulatory Heart Center Kassel (AHZ) have entered into a partnership to further develop outpatient care for cardiac patients. At the heart of the collaboration is a new care concept for lipid management, specifically designed for patients following catheter-based treatment of narrowed coronary arteries (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI).

The core of the concept is a standardized outpatient treatment pathway for the systematic monitoring and reduction of elevated blood lipid levels. Particular attention is paid to LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), which is considered a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Structured processes are intended to standardize follow-up care and sustainably improve patient safety.

Currently, lipid management in outpatient cardiac care is handled very differently depending on the clinic, region, or individual practice. Clearly defined and well-organized follow-up care, however, offers significant potential for optimization. Regular screening and consistent monitoring of individually defined LDL-C target values can play a decisive role in securing long-term treatment success and preventing recurrent events.

To close existing gaps in care, the AHZ and Novartis Germany are jointly developing a practical outpatient care concept. During a pilot phase, around 600 patients will be screened and managed according to a standardized treatment protocol. This includes defining individual LDL-C targets, adjusting therapy as needed, and scheduling regular follow-up appointments, supported by telemedicine elements.

The treatment pathway will be continuously evaluated and optimized throughout the project duration. The goal is to successfully guide 90% of participating patients to their individual LDL-C target values within 12 months, thereby measurably improving the quality of outpatient follow-up care.

“Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Germany. Around 80% of cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors – one of the most important being elevated LDL cholesterol,” explains PD Dr. med. Christoph Jensen, Medical Director of the Ambulatory Heart Center Kassel. “Our standardized treatment pathway aims to help patients sustainably reduce elevated blood lipid levels and improve care through clear, reliable structures.”

Novartis Germany also views the collaboration as an important step toward innovative healthcare structures. “Our ambition is to work with partners to develop new models that can be seamlessly integrated into everyday clinical practice,” says Nicolas X. Weber, Head Innovation & Activation at Novartis Germany. “We see ourselves as co-creators of structural change in the healthcare system, with the clear goal of sustainably improving the quality of care for patients.”

The partnership complements existing collaborations between Novartis Germany and stakeholders from clinical practice and research. The focus is on integrated care models that support patients along the entire treatment pathway – from diagnosis and therapy to follow-up – while enabling evidence-based treatment decisions.