MVZ Herz-Lungen-Praxis

MVZ Herz-Lungen-Praxis is an outpatient medical care center specializing in cardiology and pulmonology, providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive services for heart and lung conditions. It operates as a Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) under German healthcare regulations, offering consultations, imaging, lung function tests, cardiac stress tests, and follow‑up care. The practice serves patients referred by primary care physicians as well as self‑referred individuals seeking specialized cardiopulmonary evaluation. Its services aim to manage chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disorders. By focusing on outpatient care, it helps reduce hospital admissions and supports continuous monitoring of patients with cardiopulmonary pathologies.

The practice’s patient base includes approximately 12,000 individuals, as indicated by the personal and health data affected in the December 2024 cyber incident. Located in Germany, with its headquarters in the Hamburg region, it functions as a subsidiary of Lungenclinic Großhansdorf, a larger specialist clinic known for respiratory care. This affiliation grants the MVZ access to shared expertise, referral pathways, and potentially joint research or training initiatives. Its distinguishing attribute lies in the combined focus on heart and lung medicine, enabling integrated assessment of cardiopulmonary interactions that are often evaluated separately in distinct specialty clinics. The MVZ model also allows it to operate with a degree of administrative independence while benefiting from the parent institution’s clinical reputation and infrastructure.

As a subsidiary, MVZ Herz-Lungen-Praxis reports to Lungenclinic Großhansdorf, which oversees governance, quality standards, and strategic direction for the outpatient center. The practice’s operational framework adheres to German MVZ regulations, requiring a licensed physician‑owner or a medical care center structure that permits collaboration between physicians and healthcare providers. In late December 2024, the organization experienced a cyberattack that encrypted the personal and health data of roughly 12,000 patients, leading to a temporary closure of one and a half weeks while appointments were canceled. Authorities including the Federal Office for Information Security and Hamburg’s data protection commissioner were notified, and external forensic teams assisted in restoring data access and strengthening security. The practice confirmed no ransom demand was made and apologized for the disruption to affected individuals.