Matthias Siepe

International audience

The ESC/EACTS Guidelines represent the views of the ESC and the EACTS and were produced after careful consideration of the scientific and medical knowledge and the evidence available at the time of their publication. The ESC and the EACTS are not responsible in the event of any contradiction, discrepancy and/ or ambiguity between the ESC/EACTS Guidelines and any other official recommendations or guidelines issued by the relevant public health authorities, in particular in relation to good use of healthcare or therapeutic strategies. Health professionals are encouraged to take the ESC/EACTS Guidelines fully into account when exercising their clinical judgment, as well as in the determination and the implementation of preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic medical strategies; however, the ESC/ EACTS Guidelines do not override, in any way whatsoever, the individual responsibility of health professionals to make appropriate and accurate decisions in consideration of each patient's health condition and in consultation with that patient and, where appropriate and/or necessary, the patient's caregiver. Nor do the ESC/ EACTS Guidelines exempt health professionals from taking into full and careful consideration the relevant official updated recommendations or guidelines issued by the competent public health authorities, in order to manage each patient's case in light of the scientifically accepted data pursuant to their respective ethical and professional obligations. It is also the health professional's responsibility to verify the applicable rules and regulations relating to drugs and medical devices at the time of prescription.

A clinical guideline aims to apply to all patients with a specific condition. However, there will inevitably be situations where its recommendations aren't suitable for a particular patient. While healthcare professionals and others are encouraged to consider these guidelines in their professional judgement, they don't override the responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions tailored to each patient's unique circumstances. Such decisions should be aligned with the latest official recommendations, guidelines from relevant public health authorities, and applicable rules and regulations. It is important that these decisions are made in collaboration with, and agreed upon by, the patient and/or their guardian or carer.