Global Taskforce Develops Comprehensive Outcome Measures for Heart Valve Disease Monitoring

A multisociety taskforce coordinated by the Heart Valve Society has developed a comprehensive, globally inclusive standard dataset for monitoring adults with heart valve disease, representing a significant advancement in patient-centered healthcare measurement.

The new dataset, published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes, encompasses 16 outcome measures designed to track patient experiences from diagnosis through treatment. This development comes at a critical time, as projections indicate heart valve disease prevalence is expected to double by 2040 and triple by 2060.

Previous research predominantly focused on procedural and device outcomes, overlooking patient-centered metrics that capture the holistic impact of the disease. The new standard addresses this gap by defining five key outcome domains: vital status, patient-reported outcomes, disease progression, cardiac function, and treatment complications.

The 16 tracked measures include comprehensive indicators such as all-cause mortality, quality of life, mental health, daily activity impact, hospitalization rates, cardiac symptoms, and potential treatment-related complications like stroke, bleeding events, and valve thrombosis.

Recommended tracking protocols suggest clinic-reported outcome measurements at six months within the first year after diagnosis, with annual follow-ups thereafter. Patient-reported outcomes are recommended annually, with more frequent monitoring for patients undergoing surgical or transcatheter procedures.

The collaborative effort involved representatives from numerous international cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies, including the American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, among others.

By establishing this standardized dataset, healthcare systems worldwide can now conduct meaningful comparisons, evaluate clinical practice guidelines, and ultimately improve patient care for individuals experiencing heart valve disease.