Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Brunner

Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Brunner is a prominent cardiologist and sports medicine specialist who serves as the Site Director of the Medical Clinic I at LMU Klinikum’s downtown Munich campus. His clinical expertise is uniquely positioned at the intersection of high-performance physiology and acute cardiovascular care, ranging from the management of cardiogenic shock and myocarditis to the preventive screening of elite and recreational athletes. As the head of the Interdisciplinary Center for Sports Medicine, he oversees a comprehensive program that integrates orthopedic and cardiological diagnostics to optimize athletic performance and ensure cardiac safety during physical exertion. His clinical philosophy is defined by a commitment to "precision prevention," utilizing advanced ECG-based biomarkers and non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring to detect early signs of cardiac repolarization instability. In the academic and research sphere, Professor Brunner is widely recognized for his innovative and often unconventional approaches to epidemiological research. He gained international attention as the lead author of the Munich-BREW studies, which utilized the unique environment of the Munich Oktoberfest to conduct large-scale prospective research on the acute effects of alcohol consumption on heart rate and cardiac arrhythmias. His laboratory work focuses on translational cardiology, specifically investigating the role of inflammation in myocardial disease and the development of new diagnostic tools for cardiac hypertrophy. Through his leadership in both the clinical and scientific communities, he actively shapes modern standards for sports cardiology and intensive care medicine, balancing rigorous data-driven research with a profound dedication to patient-centered, individualized therapy.