Burden Of Valvular Heart Disease Research Articles

Burden of Valvular Heart Diseases in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Population: The Bronx-Valve Registry.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a major focus of cardiovascular medicine, but limited data are available for racial and ethnic minorities. The aim was to assess the burden and clinical correlates of VHD in a highly diverse area of the United States. Individuals with echocardiographic diagnosis of native VHD between January 2010 and December 2019 at a quaternary care health system of the Bronx (New York, USA) were included. Prevalence and correlates of VHD were assessed per each racial and ethnic group. From a total of 330 570 adult echocardiograms, 80 584 individuals were diagnosed with VHD and included in the final study population. Stratified by race and ethnicity, 38.0%, 23.2%, 2.1%, and 36.7% were non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, Asian, and Hispanic, respectively. The mean age was 67.7±16.3 years, with non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic individuals being younger and having a higher burden of comorbidities. The prevalence of VHD increased with age, irrespective of race or ethnicity. In people aged ≥75 years, tricuspid and mitral regurgitation were the most prevalent VHD (21.1% and 16.1%, respectively). Non-Hispanic White individualsmore frequently had tricuspid regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, and multiple VHDs, but among those aged <65 years, these were more frequent in non-Hispanic Black individuals. Our Bronx-Valve Registry illustrates that the burden of VHD is high, increases with age, and varies among racial and ethnic groups. When diagnosed with VHD, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic individuals are younger and with a higher burden of comorbidities. Appropriate resources and strategies need to be implemented to minimize racial and ethnic disparities and promote equity in VHD diagnosis and cardiovascular risk factor management. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique Identifier: NCT05453526.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Valvular Heart Disease, 1990 to 2021.

Valvular heart disease poses an escalating global health challenge with an increasing impact on mortality and disability. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the global burden of valvular heart disease. Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, we analyzed the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years, examining implications across demographics and geographic regions. In 2021, an estimated 54.8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 43.3-67.6) cases of rheumatic heart disease, 13.3 million (95% UI, 11.4-15.2) cases of nonrheumatic calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), and 15.5 million (95% UI, 14.5-16.7) cases of nonrheumatic degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) were reported globally. Despite the rising prevalence, disability-adjusted life years declined between 1991 and 2021. Among individuals aged 70 years or older, the age-standardized prevalences were 1803.6 per 100 000 (95% UI, 1535.5-2055.7) for CAVD and 2148.9 per 100 000 (95% UI, 2001.4-2310.1) for DMVD. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest age-standardized prevalence for rheumatic heart disease; Conversely, high-income regions led in CAVD and DMVD prevalence. Rheumatic heart disease had the highest age-standardized prevalence of 1184.2 per 100 000 (95% UI, 932.4-1478.2) in low Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions, whereas CAVD peaked at 349.8 per 100 000 (95% UI, 303.6-395.8) in high SDI regions. The most substantial increases in age-standardized prevalences of CAVD from 1990 to 2021 occurred in the middle SDI and low-middle SDI regions. A parallel trend was noted for DMVD. Rheumatic heart disease remains a significant burden in low SDI regions, whereas CAVD and DMVD pose challenges in high SDI regions with aging populations.

Burden and Temporal Trends of Valvular Heart Disease-Related Heart Failure From 1990 to 2019 and Projection Up to 2030 in Group of 20 Countries: An Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

The aim of this study was to characterize the burden of valvular heart disease (VHD)-related heart failure (HF) in Group of 20 (G20) countries. Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, we estimated VHD-related HF burdens (cases, age-standardized prevalence rates, and years lived with disabilities rates) in G20 countries from 1990 to 2019 by age, sex, and sociodemographic index. The burden of VHD-related HF increased in G20 countries from 1990 to 2019, exhibiting heterogeneity across VHD subtypes. In 2019, Italy, the United States, and the Russian Federation had the highest age-standardized prevalence rates of nonrheumatic VHD-related HF, whereas India, Brazil, and Mexico had the lowest. Rheumatic VHD-related HF was most prevalent in China, India, and Italy, whereas the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and Turkey had the lowest. Nonrheumatic VHD-related HF prevalence peaked among G20 countries in individuals ≥85 years of age, whereas rheumatic VHD-related HF peaked in those 75 to 84 years of age in several countries, including China, India, the Russian Federation, Mexico, Argentina, and Turkey. Age-standardized prevalence rates of nonrheumatic VHD-related HF showed a decreasing trend, more pronounced in women, whereas rheumatic VHD-related HF increased in both sexes, with a lower increase in men. Nonrheumatic VHD-related HF burden correlated with age and sociodemographic index, whereas rheumatic VHD-related HF burden was highest in middle sociodemographic index countries for those <75 years of age. Years lived with disabilities rates for VHD-related HF represented about 9.0% of the overall burden across populations. The increasing burden of VHD-related HF in G20 countries highlights the need for timely interventions to mitigate this growing public health challenge.

The evolution of polyurethane heart valve replacements: How chemistry translates to the clinic

Current heart valve replacements (HVRs) fail to comprehensively capture the physiological behaviour of native heart valve tissues, allowing the burden of valvular heart disease to persist after surgical intervention. Through extensive research and clinical experience, it has become evident that material selection is central to the success of HVRs. One outstanding candidate material for next-generation HVRs is polyurethane. These polymers exhibit a unique segmented chemical structure that can imitate the mechanical strength and elasticity of soft biological tissues. Consequently, polyurethanes have long been investigated as HVR materials, however, progression to clinical utility has historically been impaired by the material’s susceptibility to biodegradation and calcification. This review presents a concise and critical analysis of past and recent investigations to elucidate the contemporary potential of polyurethane HVRs. Importantly, the overwhelming clinical failure of past prototypes necessitated a detailed examination to validate any further use of polyurethanes in HVR development. Ultimately, chemically modified polyurethanes along with different modifications have been introduced to tackle the shortcoming of the existing polyurethane HVRs and develop biostable biomaterials for next-generation HVRs.

Echocardiographic detection of heart valve disease in a community cohort of asymptomatic Australians > 65 years with cardiovascular risk factors

BackgroundValvular heart disease is becoming an increasingly prevalent with population ageing. We sought to define the current prevalence of valvular heart disease in Australia. MethodsThe TasELF and VicELF studies prospectively recruited 962 asymptomatic participants ≥65 years, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, from the Tasmanian and Victorian communities. People were excluded if they had a previous diagnosis of heart failure, or a life expectancy <1 year. All underwent baseline echocardiography. Those with moderate or severe valvular disease were identified. The current prevalence of clinically significant valve disease was applied to the Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections. ResultsEchocardiograms were interpretable in 943 participants (98%). Clinically significant valve disease was present in 5% of the population, and mitral regurgitation was the most common overall valvular lesion, present in 36% of the population. The projected numbers of people with clinically significant valvular disease is expected to increase significantly across all age groups by the year 2060. ConclusionsClinically significant yet asymptomatic valvular disease was prevalent in a large community cohort of participants with at least one risk factor. The total burden of valvular heart disease is expected to increase dramatically over the coming decades.

Valvular disease burden in the modern era of percutaneous and surgical interventions: the UK Biobank

BackgroundThe burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) has increased significantly among ageing populations, yet remains poorly understood in the present-day context of percutaneous and surgical interventions.ObjectiveTo define the incidence, clinical...

Autoimmune connective tissue diseases and aortic valve replacement outcomes: a population-based study.

AimsPatients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTDs) have a high burden of valvular heart disease and are often thought of as high surgical risk patients.Methods and resultsPatients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) were identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database between January 2012 and December 2018. Patients with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, mixed C, Sjögren syndrome, polymyositis, and dermatomyositis were included in the CTD cohort. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting concomitantly with AVR were excluded. A total of 569 600 hospitalizations were included, of which16 531 (2.9%) had CTD. CTD patients were more likely to be females, with higher rates of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and more likely to be insured by Medicare. CTD patients had lower mortality than non-CTD patients [odds ratio (OR) 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.74] and stroke [OR 0.87; 95% (CI): 0.79–0.97]. CTD patients undergoing SAVR had lower mortality [OR 0.69; 95% (CI): 0.60–0.80] and stroke [OR 0.86; 95% (CI): 0.75–0.98). CTD patients undergoing TAVR had lower mortality outcomes [OR 0.67; 95% (CI): 0.56–0.80]; however, they had comparable stroke outcomes [OR 0.97; 95% (CI): 0.83–1.13, P = 0.69].ConclusionsOutcomes for patients with CTD requiring AVR are not inferior to their non-CTD counterparts. A comprehensive heart team selection of patients undergoing AVR approaches should place CTD history under consideration; however, pre-existing CTD should not be prohibitive of AVR interventions.

Sex Differences and Similarities in Valvular Heart Disease.

As populations age worldwide, the burden of valvular heart disease has grown exponentially, and so has the proportion of affected women. Although rheumatic valve disease is declining in high-income countries, degenerative age-related causes are rising. Calcific aortic stenosis and degenerative mitral regurgitation affect a significant proportion of elderly women, particularly those with comorbidities. Women with valvular heart disease have been underrepresented in many of the landmark studies which form the basis for guideline recommendations. As a consequence, surgical referrals in women have often been delayed, with worse postoperative outcomes compared with men. As described in this review, a more recent effort to include women in research studies and clinical trials has increased our knowledge about sex-based differences in epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, outcomes, and prognosis.

Echocardiographic Detection of Heart Valve Disease in a Community Cohort Study of Asymptomatic Australians &gt;65 years With Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Valvular heart disease is becoming an increasingly prevalent with population ageing. We sought to define the current prevalence of valvular heart disease in Australia. The TasELF and VicELF studies prospectively recruited 942 asymptomatic participants ≥65 years, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, from the Tasmanian and Victorian communities. People were excluded if they had a previous diagnosis of heart failure, known significant valve disease, or a life expectancy <1 year. All underwent baseline echocardiography. Those with moderate or severe valvular disease were identified. The current prevalence of clinically significant valve disease was applied to the Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections. Echocardiograms were interpretable in 928 participants (99%). Clinically significant valve disease was present in 5% of the population, and mitral regurgitation was the most common overall valvular lesion, present in 36% of the population. The projected numbers of people with clinically significant valvular disease is expected to increase significantly across all age groups by the year 2060. Clinically significant yet asymptomatic valvular disease was prevalent in a large community cohort of participants with at least one risk factor. The total burden of valvular heart disease is expected to increase dramatically over the coming decades.

Survival rate of patients undergoing aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve replacement with prosthetic valves

Objectives: The burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is high and increasing all around the world due to aging of the population. The etiologic factors of VHD are different among countries. There is little data about etiologic factors of VHD in Iran. The aim of present study was to determine the associated factors related to the 5-year survival and mortality rate of patients undergoing bileaflet mechanical valve replacement. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, demographic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data of patients who had underwent aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve replacement with bileaflet valves in the Afshar Hospital in Yazd, Iran, between March 2008 to February 2015 were obtained from their records. Supplementary information like hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events, rehospitalization and death during follow-up were gathered through contact with patients. For analysis of the data, SPSS ver. 19 was used. Results: Four hundred and thirty eight patients entered the study. Male gender was slightly predominant (%53). Mean age of the patients was 51.6 ± 17.4 years. The rate of in-hospital mortality was 9.8% while the 5-year survival rate was 82.42%. The rate of major thromboembolic events was 0.97%/year and that of major hemorrhagic events was 0.5%/year. Patients with older age, lower cardiac ejection fraction (less than 30%) and with atrial fibrillation had a higher rate of mortality (P = 0.001). In-hospital mortalities were 3%, 9%, 12% and 15% for AVR, AVR+MVR, MVR and CABG+valvular surgery, respectively. Conclusions: Higher rate of mitral valve surgery in this study may be due to possible predominance of rheumatic valvular pathology similar to other developing countries. Rate of 5-year survival, thromboembolic and hemorrhagic rates were acceptable and comparable to global reports.

Burden of Valvular Heart Disease in Patients with Fabry Disease

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder in which glycosphingolipids accumulate in tissues, causing multisystem disease. FD is associated with mild tricuspid, aortic, and mitral valvular heart disease (VHD).1-3 The burden of VHD in the aging FD population treated with modern medical therapy, including enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), substrate reduction therapy, and aggressive control of cardiovascular comorbidities, is unknown. We describe the burden of VHD in a multicenter cohort of patients with FD with access to contemporary FD therapy.

Heart Valve Critical Pathway and Heart Valve Clinic: Novel Benchmarks for Modern Management of Valvular Heart Disease.

The growing burden of valvular heart disease in Western countries represents a challenge for the daily clinical practice, especially in the light of the ever-increasing number of therapeutic options. The Euro Heart Survey showed that, among elderly subjects with severe, symptomatic valve dysfunction, surgery is denied for 33% of patients with aortic stenosis and for 50% of patients with mitral regurgitation. Current management (from diagnosis to follow-up) is often fragmented in multiple-sometimes unnecessary-steps. Such a "patchy" approach may translate into a suboptimal management, especially in the geriatric population. New healthcare models exist that can coordinate care, reduce fragmentation, limit costs and, ultimately, improve outcomes: the clinical pathways.

Burden of valvular heart disease, 1990-2017: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

BackgroundValvular heart disease (VHD) is expected to cause an increase in public-health problems in the coming years, especially in elderly populations. We aim to estimate the incidence, mortality, and burden of VHD, by age, from 1990 to 2017 in 195 countries and territories.MethodsWe estimated the incidence, mortality, and burden of VHD based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. All metrics are presented with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). The Socio-demographic Index was used to identify whether developmental status correlates with health outcomes.ResultsThe global incidence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) decreased by 8.67% between 1990 and 2017, while that of non-rheumatic VHD (NRVHD) increased by 45.10%. There was a 54.00% decrease in age-standardized death rate (ASDR) for RHD, but a small and non-significant decrease (-3.00%) in the ASDR for NRVHD. The global age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate of RHD decreased by 53.52%, while there was a 12.62% reduction in the age-standardized DALY rate of NRVHD.ConclusionsThe burden from different VHDs demonstrated a diverse change at a global level between 1990 and 2017. Although RHD burden has an obvious means of mitigation, a substantially high incidence of NRVHD was observed over this time period, especially in the elderly, which may lead to high health care costs and signify the potential for even higher costs in the future.

Impact of Valvular Heart Disease on Mortality, Thromboembolic and Cardiac Events in Japanese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation - The Fushimi AF Registry.

There is a growing burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) due to population aging, but data regarding the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF and concomitant VHD are lacking. The Fushimi AF Registry is a community-based prospective survey of AF patients in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. Among 3,566 patients with available echocardiographic data, 20% had VHD, consisting of 131 valvular AF (VAF: 3.7%) and 583 nonvalvular AF with VHD (NVAF-VHD: 16.3%). Here, VAF was defined as AF with mitral stenosis or a prosthetic heart valve. AF patients with VHD were older, had more comorbidities with a higher CHADS2 score, and were prescribed oral anticoagulants more frequently than those without VHD. After adjusting for confounders, VHD was not associated with stroke or systemic embolism, all-cause mortality, or cardiac death. NVAF-VHD was significantly associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.78), whereas VAF was not (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.86-1.92). Among all types of VHD, aortic valve diseases were associated with a higher risk of cardiac events, whereas mitral valve diseases were not. Although VHD did not significantly affect thromboembolism or mortality, it affected cardiac events depending on type, with aortic valve diseases having higher risk, in Japanese patients with AF.

Algorithm for primary care physicians in the management of valvular heart disease in India

In India, the burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is high due to rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Factors like poverty, overcrowded dwellings, under-nutrition, cultural constraints, and suboptimal medical care contribute to the high prevalence of RHD. The diagnosis of VHD is a problem in routine practice and many cases are either missed in early stages. Also, late identification/ referral of complications in post valvular surgery patients of VHD by physicians working in the periphery to a large extent but not limited to periphery only. Hence, the need of the hour is to enhance the knowledge of Primary care physicians and create an easy-to-use algorithm for physicians to facilitate early identification and diagnosis of VHD and complications in post cardiac surgery patients for timely referral to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with VHD. The algorithm will act as a tool to recognize early signs and symptoms of VHD for early diagnosis of VHD & its management. The algorithm will also facilitate early referral to specialist and identification of post-operative complications in patients who have undergone surgery for VHD. Valvular heart disease patients after prosthetic valve implantation are at a risk of thrombo-embolic and therefore require lifelong follow up and anticoagulant therapy in order to alleviate morbidity and mortality which also needs to be cascaded down to the primary care physicians based on evidence-based recommendations on anti-coagulation management. This easy-to-use guide/algorithm will help physicians better their clinical practice in India, ultimately benefiting the patient outcomes.

Early Surgery in Valvular Heart Disease

The burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing with age, and the elderly patients with moderate or severe VHD are notably common. When to operate in asymptomatic patients with VHD remains controversial. The controversy is whether early surgical intervention should be preferred, or a watchful waiting approach should be followed. The beneficial effects of early surgery should be balanced against operative mortality and long-term results. Indications of early surgery in each of the VHD will be discussed in this review on the basis of the latest American and European guidelines.

The direct health-care burden of valvular heart disease: evidence from US national survey data.

PurposeThis study quantified the overall effects of aortic valve disease (AVD) and mitral valve disease (MVD) by disease severity on direct health-care costs to insurers and patients.Materials and methodsBased on 1996–2011 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a large, nationally representative US database, multivariate analyses were performed to assess the relationship between AVD and MVD and direct annual health-care costs to insurers and patients, at individual and US-aggregate levels. Adults aged 18 years and over with diagnosis codes for AVD or MVD based on International Classification of Diseases (ninth revision) diagnosis codes were identified. Subjects were further classified as symptomatic AVD, asymptomatic AVD, symptomatic MVD, and asymptomatic MVD. These classifications were determined with clinical assistance and based in part on data availability in the MEPS.ResultsThe MEPS database included 148 patients with AVD: 53 patients with symptomatic AVD, 95 patients with asymptomatic AVD, and 1,051 with MVD, including 315 patients with symptomatic MVD and 736 patients with asymptomatic MVD. Symptomatic AVD had the largest incremental effect on annual per patient health-care expenditure: $12,789 for symptomatic AVD, $10,816 for asymptomatic AVD, $5,163 for symptomatic MVD, and $1,755 for asymptomatic MVD. When aggregated to the US population, heart-valve disease accounted for an incremental annual cost of $23.4 billion. The largest aggregate annual costs were incurred by patients with symptomatic MVD ($7.6 billion), followed by symptomatic AVD ($5.6 billion), asymptomatic MVD ($5.6 billion), and asymptomatic AVD ($4.6 billion).ConclusionThe annualized incremental costs of heart-valve disease were substantial for all groups examined, and greatest for patients with symptomatic MVD. This reflects the relatively high prevalence associated with this group. With a growing and aging population, the prevalence of heart-valve disease is expected to rise, increasing the burden on public health.

Abstract 163: High Burden of Valvulopathy in Heart Failure: A Moving Target

Background: The lifetime risk of developing Heart Failure (HF) is 20% for Americans ≥40 years of age. In the United States, greater than 650,000 new HF cases are diagnosed annually. About 5.1 million persons in the United States have clinically manifest HF. Additionally, HF has high absolute mortality rates of approximately 50% within 5 years of diagnosis. HF carries substantial health and economic burden. It is the primary diagnosis in &gt;1 million hospitalizations annually. Patients hospitalized for HF are at high risk for all-cause re hospitalization. The total cost of HF care in the United States exceeds $30 billion annually. Objective: The study objective was to investigate the prevalence of valvular heart disease among patients hospitalized for HF in a largely Hispanic population. Methods: This is a retrospective study with aims inclusive of: analyzing the hospitalization and 4 months, 6 months, 2 year- re-hospitalization rates of HF in University Medical Center between Oct 2010 and Oct 2013; evaluating the association between valvular heart disease and hospitalizations for HF. Inclusion criteria were: admission/re hospitalizations with HF (with reduced, preserved and borderline EF). Echocardiographic determination of at least moderate valvular disease was utilized in this study as significant. Exclusion criteria were: patients lost to follow-up, death in hospital, transfer to another acute care facility, and discharge against medical advice. Demographics were also collected. Results: Hospitalizations involving 195 patients (120 men and 75 women) were randomly analyzed. The racial spread showed 77.4% (151 of 195) Hispanics and 22.6% (44 of 195) non-Hispanics. Out of the 195 index hospitalizations, the 4 month, 6 months and 2 years rehospitalization visits were 17.4% (34 of 195), 22.5% (44 of 195) and 38.5% (75 of 195) respectively. The prevalence of significant valvular heart disease was 45.9% (90 of 195), while the prevalence of no valvular heart disease was 54.1% (105 of 195) (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Multiple, prior studies have shown that valvular heart diseases have a comparatively low association with clinical Heart Failure. This study raises a valid point that in some population groups (the Hispanic), the burden of valvular heart disease may be greater than has been published in other groups. This calls for more studies, and has lots of potential implications in Heart Failure management.

Republished: The evolving role of multimodality imaging in valvular heart disease

The public health burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is projected to grow over the ensuing years owing to the persistent spectre of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries,w1 and...

The evolving role of multimodality imaging in valvular heart disease

The public health burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is projected to grow over the ensuing years owing to the persistent spectre of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries,w1 and...