Dear colleagues,

the 18th DHZB Lange Symposium this year is dedicated to the unresolved secrets of Morbus Ebstein. Ebstein's anomaly is a complex malformation of the tricuspid valve with myopathy of the right ventricle with a wide spectrum of anatomy and clinical presentations – from neonate to older adult. The highly variable anatomic and pathophysiologic characteristics is leading to comparable variable clinical scenarios. Medical management and watchful waiting is still discussed for asymptomatic patients and may be successful for many years. On the other hand tricuspid valve repair with restoration of RV cavity and function is the goal of operative intervention. Postoperative functional assessments generally demonstrate an improvement or relative stability related to degree of RV enlargement, RV dysfunction, RV fractional area change, and tricuspid valve regurgitation.

However, in the current era there are still many uncertainties how to proceed with an Ebstein´s patient with many unanswered questions: timepoint for repair, which surgical technique, combination with bidirectional Glenn and fenestrated ASD closure, univentricular or biventricular road, when is it too late for surgery, addressing comorbidities like arrhythmia and many more?

The Ebstein challenge still goes on. With this symposium we want to bring a little more insight into this challenging and humbling anomaly and try to answer most of the burning questions.

We are pleased that we have gained very well-known specialists who will cultivate scientific exchange with you in an open and friendly atmosphere with many opportunities for discussion as part of the DHZB Lange Symposium.

We are very much looking forward to a very interesting symposium and hope that we will be able to welcome you in large numbers on September 16, 2023.

On behalf of the entire scientific committee.

Prof. Dr. med. F. Berger
Director, Dept. of Congenital
Heart Defects/ Pediatric Cardiology