title: Invited commentary.
authors.affiliation: University Heart Center Hamburg, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. hcr@uke.de
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reichenspurner
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D033161:Government Regulation; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists