Treatment Of Valvular Heart Disease Research Articles

[Conservative treatment of valvular heart disease in adults].

Currently, there is no specific medication approved for the treatment of valvular heart disease per se. Except for secondary mitral valve insufficiency and tricuspid valve insufficiency in pulmonary hypertension, drug therapy for higher-grade valvular heart disease is limited to diuretic therapy for symptom control. Conservative therapy for comorbidities and potential heart failure can be beneficial regardless of the specific valve lesion. In cases of aortic valve stenosis or insufficiency, controlling arterial hypertension is important. Patients with mitral valve stenosis benefit from rhythm and rate control. Diuretics can help reduce regurgitant volume in patients with primary mitral valve insufficiency and tricuspid valve insufficiency. In addition to drug therapy, maintaining functional capacity is crucial for the outcome of patients. Therefore, it is recommended to engage in active physical activity whenever possible, despite the presence of valvular heart disease.

Practice guidance for stress echocardiography.

Stress echocardiography has been one of the most promising methods for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension. The Japanese Society of Echocardiography produced practical guidance for the implementation of stress echocardiography in 2018. At that time, stress echocardiography was not yet widely disseminated in Japan; therefore, the 2018 practical guidance for the implementation of stress echocardiography included a report on stress echocardiography and a specific protocol to promote its use at many institutions in Japan in the future. And now, an era of renewed interest and enthusiasm surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has come, which are driven by emerging trans-catheter procedures and new recommended guideline-directed medical therapy. Based on the continued evidence of stress echocardiography, the new practical guideline that describes the safe and effective methodology of stress echocardiography is now created by the Guideline Development Committee of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography and is designed to expand the use of stress echocardiography for valvular heart disease and HFpEF, as well as ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension. The readers are encouraged to perform stress echocardiography which will enhance the diagnosis and management of these patients.

Impact of single-valve and multiple-valve heart disease on long-term outcome in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract Background There are limited data concerning outcome and risk stratification of single and multiple valvular heart diseases (VHD) in patients with heart failure (HF). Purpose Present study aimed to evaluate the long-term all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality of HF patients with or without VHD. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching. Of 4245 HF patients who referred to the cardiology department for diagnosis and treatment of VHD between 2004 and 2018, 1417 patients had no VHD and 2828 patients had at least one valve disease, including moderate-severe aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation, moderate-severe mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation, and moderate-severe tricuspid regurgitation. Propensity score for each patient was calculated using logistic regression models, and 1016 patients without VHD and 1016 patients with VHD matched for age, sex, and NYHA class were finally included for final analysis (mean age 68±12, 77.4% male, NYHA class III-IV 30.6%). Primary endpoint was defined as mortality due to CV causes. Results Median follow-up time was 30 (17-47) months. CV mortality was significantly higher in the VHD group than that in the no-VHD group (13.2% vs. 7.2%, P<0.001). All-cause mortality was similar between groups (25.8% vs. 22.4%, P=0.078). Compared to the no-VHD group, proportions of hyperlipidaemia, atrial fibrillation, hyperuricemia, and chronic kidney disease were significantly higher, while proportions of obesity, coronary artery disease, and diabetes were significantly lower in the VHD group. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 46.8±15.8% vs. 38.5±9.4%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the VHD group than those in the no-VHD group. All-cause mortality and CV mortality were significantly higher in patients with multiple VHD than those with single VHD (0- vs. 1- vs. 2- vs. 3-valve disease: all-cause mortality 22.4% vs. 21.5% vs. 32.1% vs. 43.3%, P<0.001; CV mortality 7.2% vs. 10.6% vs. 17.3% vs. 22.4%, P<0.001). Of 1016 patients with VHD, 462 (45.5%) patients did not underwent valve replacement or repair and 554 (54.5%) patients underwent at least one valve replacement or repair. All-cause mortality (18.6% vs. 34.4%, P<0.001) and CV mortality (10.6% vs. 16.2%, P=0.026) were significantly lower in patients with valve replacement or repair compared with those without surgery (Figure 1). Multivariable Cox regression models showed that valve replacement or repair surgery significantly improved CV-death free survival (HR 0.631, 95% CI 0.441-0.903) after adjusted for clinical risk factors and LVEF. Conclusions Compared with age, sex, and NYHA class matched chronic HF patients without VHD, concomitant VHD is associated with worse all-cause and CV mortality in proportion to the number of valves involved in patients with chronic HF. Valve replacement or repair can significantly reduce all-cause and CV mortality in this patient cohort.Figure 1

Recent progress in functional modification and crosslinking of bioprosthetic heart valves.

Valvular heart disease (VHD), clinically manifested as stenosis and regurgitation of native heart valve, is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases with high mortality. Heart valve replacement surgery has been recognized as golden standard for the treatment of VHD. Owing to the clinical application of transcatheter heart valve replacement technic and the excellent hemodynamic performance of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs), implantation of BHVs has been increasing over recent years and gradually became the preferred choice for the treatment of VHD. However, BHVs might fail within 10-15 years due to structural valvular degeneration (SVD), which was greatly associated with drawbacks of glutaraldehyde crosslinked BHVs, including cytotoxicity, calcification, component degradation, mechanical failure, thrombosis and immune response. To prolong the service life of BHVs, much effort has been devoted to overcoming the drawbacks of BHVs and reducing the risk of SVD. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the research and progress on: (i) modification strategies based on glutaraldehyde crosslinked BHVs and (ii) nonglutaraldehyde crosslinking strategies for BHVs.

PCR London Valves - in person or online - an invaluable opportunity for exchange dedicated to advancing the treatment of valvular heart disease.

PCR London Valves - in person or online - an invaluable opportunity for exchange dedicated to advancing the treatment of valvular heart disease.

Surgical results of heart valve disease because of bacteriological endocarditis in children at hanoi heart hospital

Objective: Review of some clinical and paraclinical characteristics and evaluation of outcomes after surgical treatment of valvular heart disease due to infective endocarditis in children at Hanoi Heart Hospital
 Methods: Analysis and evaluation based on data collected from patients undergoing surgery and from the results of follow-up examination.[1]
 Results: The total number of patients was 25. Average age of surgery: 6,56 ± 7.05  years (The lowest age is 1years, the highest is  15 years). Male: 14  patients (56%), female: 11  patients 44(%). Ultrasound before discharge and after 3 months, we found similar results: mean EF:57,25 ± 9,68 %; Mean pressure through mitral valve: 3,5 ± 1,5mmHg; through aortic valve: 12,5 ± 1,68mmHg. Complications: Death immediately after surgery: 0  cases (0%); Late death: there was 1 case of death (4%).
 Conclusion: Results of surgery for valvular heart disease due to infective endocarditis in children are positive. The rate of mortality and complications after surgery is low.

Peri-procedure experiences during minimalist transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights from patients' perspectives

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background There is growing evidence to support the implementation of a streamlined clinical pathway to optimise outcomes, improve program capacity, and facilitate safe early discharge home after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the peri-procedure phase, the adoption of a minimalist approach has accelerated the rapid transition from the use of general anaesthesia to default strategies ranging from conscious sedation to local anaesthesia only. Little is known of patients’ perspectives with undergoing minimalist TAVI. We aimed to explore what could be learned from this episode of care to inform multidisciplinary practice. Methods We conducted a prospective single centre qualitative study of TAVI patients within the first week of their discharge home, using purposeful sample to recruit a diverse population. We conducted individual interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide informed by pilot work and current evidence; open-ended questions were designed to explore patients’ perspectives of their peri-procedural experiences, inclusive of their recall of the procedure, interactions with team members, and the overall care received. Data were analyzed using interpretive description, a methodological approach appropriate to inform the knowledge needs of applied disciplines and conducive to generating new ideas and augment existing knowledge in the context of clinical practice. Results We recruited 15 participants, including 5 women, median age 82 (IQR 77,86); all patients had severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and multiple co-morbidities. TAVI was conducted using a transfemoral approach, with local anaesthesia only (n=4) or minimal sedation (n=11). Median length of stay was 1 day; one participant required a new permanent pacemaker; all participants were discharged home. The overarching theme of "I want to be a member of my Heart Team during my procedure" emerged; this aspiration, request and/or need was illustrated by three main themes: (1) "Who am I to them?", (2) "How can I be a good patient?", and (3) "How do I manage this complex wave of emotions?". Conclusions The rapid emergence of minimally invasive options for the treatment of valvular heart disease has established a new standard of care. Peri-procedure care initially informed by surgical practices have now shifted to most patients being conscious during TAVI and cared for by a smaller clinical team. The awareness of patients’ perspectives, and their inclusion in the Heart Team’s dynamics and processes offer important insights to optimise patients’ experiences of procedural care and clinical outcomes.

Shared decision-making for the treatment of aortic stenosis (SEEK-AS): rationale and study design of the implementation of a patient decision aid to facilitate a high-quality treatment decision

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Heart & Stroke Foundation (Canada) Background Shared decision-making (SDM) is endorsed by multiple guidelines to help clinicians and patients achieve a high-quality treatment decision that integrates patients’ priorities, preferences and values. Patient decision aids (PDAs) are evidence-based tools designed to support the process of SDM. There is a gap in knowledge translation to facilitate the adoption of guideline recommendations for the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS). Rationale: There is strong evidence of improved outcomes associated with SDM; in contrast, implementation research is needed to address the pressing question of "how to do SDM". Therefore, the SEEK-AS study aims to plan and evaluate the implementation of a PDA for AS to facilitate the integration of SDM in the treatment of valvular heart disease. Study Design: We will present the design of a prospective multi-method implementation study of a novel set of paper-based and individualised web-based PDAs for AS. We aim to explore diverse perspectives and uncover barriers and enablers to investigate the "real-world" implementation of the PDAs. The study prioritises patient and family engagement, and is informed by the Ottawa Model for Research Use (OMRU) conceptual model to guide the sequential objectives: (1) select and tailor implementation strategies in four distinct healthcare organisations, across diverse patient and clinician populations to develop distinct implementation blueprints, and (2) evaluate the implementation of the PDAs across health care organisations and users. Data collection will include a series of in-depth focus group and individual interviews with patients treated with different modalities and multidisciplinary clinicians using content analysis organised under the OMRU levels (innovation, potential adopters, and practice environment; objectives 1 and 2), and patient and clinician surveys using outcomes mapped to OMRU levels and patient/clinician levels (objective 2). Anticipated Research Output: We will present the stakeholder engagement plan and patient engagement strategies. The findings of the study will include the identification of barriers and facilitators of regional implementation, and provide evidence to guide the successful adoption of PDAs to help shift the culture of care from clinician-driven to patient-centred and improve the care of patients with valvular heart disease.

Bioinspired polymeric heart valves: A combined in vitro and in silico approach

BackgroundPolymeric heart valves (PHVs) may address the limitations of mechanical and tissue valves in the treatment of valvular heart disease. In this study, a bioinspired valve was designed, assessed in silico, and validated by an in vitro model to develop a valve with optimum function for pediatric applications. MethodsA bioinspired heart valve was created computationally with leaflet curvature derived from native valve anatomies. A valve diameter of 18 mm was chosen to approach sizes suitable for younger patients. Valves of different thicknesses were fabricated via dip-coating with siloxane-based polyurethane and tested in a pulse duplicator for their hydrodynamic function. The same valves were tested computationally using an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian plus immersed solid approach, in which the fluid–structure interaction between the valves and fluid passing through them was studied and compared with experimental data. ResultsComputational analysis showed that valves of 110 to 200 μm thickness had effective orifice areas (EOAs) of 1.20 to 1.30 cm2, with thinner valves exhibiting larger openings. In vitro tests demonstrated that PHVs of similar thickness had EOAs of 1.05 to 1.35 cm2 and regurgitant fractions (RFs) <7%. Valves with thinner leaflets exhibited optimal systolic performance, whereas thicker valves had lower RFs. ConclusionsBioinspired PHVs demonstrated good hydrodynamic performance that exceeded ISO 5840-2 standards. Both methods of analysis showed similar correlations between leaflet thickness and valve systolic function. Further development of this PHV may lead to enhanced durability and thus a more reliable heart valve replacement than contemporary options.

Research on fatigue optimization simulation of polymeric heart valve based on the iterative sub-regional thickened method.

Prosthetic polymeric heart valves (PHVs) have the potential to overcome the inherent material and design limitations of traditional valves in the treatment of valvular heart disease; however, their durability remains limited. Optimal design of the valve structure is necessary to improve their durability. This study aimed to enhance the fatigue resistance of PHVs by improving the stress distribution. Iterative subregional thickening of the leaflets was used, and the mechanical stress distribution and hemodynamics of these polymeric tri-leaflet valves were characterized using a fluid-structure interaction approach. Subregional thickening led to a reduction in stress concentration on the leaflet, with the effective orifice area still meeting ISO 5840-3 and the regurgitant volume achieving a similar value to those in previous studies. The maximum stress in the final iteration was reduced by 28% compared with that of the prototype. The proposed method shows potential for analyzing the stress distribution and hemodynamic performance of subregional thickened valves and can further improve the durability of PHVs.

In-Hospital Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients with Valvular Heart Disease: Insights from Real-World Claims Data.

Heart failure (HF) is a serious public health burden that is rapidly increasing in the aging population. Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a known etiology of heart failure (HF); however, the impact of VHD on outcomes of patients with HF has not been well-studied in Japan. This study aimed to determine the rates of VHD in Japanese patients admitted for HF and explore associations of VHD with in-hospital outcomes through a claim-based analysis. We analyzed claims data from 86,763 HF hospitalizations (January 2017 through December 2019) from the Medical Data Vision database. Common etiologies of HF were examined, then hospitalizations were categorized into those with VHD and those without. Covariate-adjusted models were used to explore the association of VHD with in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and medical cost. Of 86,763 hospitalizations for HF, 13,183 had VHD and 73,580 did not. VHD was the second most frequent etiology of HF (15.2%). The most frequent type of VHD was mitral regurgitation (36.4% of all hospitalizations with VHD), followed by aortic stenosis (33.7%) and aortic regurgitation (16.4%). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between hospitalizations with VHD vs those without (9.0% vs 8.9%; odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.01 [0.95-1.08]; p=0.723). Hospitalizations with VHD were associated with significantly longer length of stay (26.1 vs 24.8 days; incident rate ratio [95% CI]: 1.05 [1.03-1.07]; p<0.001) and higher medical costs (1536 vs 1195 thousand yen; rate ratio [95% CI]: 1.29 [1.25-1.32]; p<0.001). VHD was a frequent etiology of HF that was associated with significant medical resource use. Future studies are needed to investigate whether timely VHD treatment could reduce HF progression and its associated healthcare resource utilization.

Unmet needs in valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the next epidemic in the cardiovascular field, affecting millions of people worldwide and having a major impact on health care systems. With aging of the population, the incidence and prevalence of VHD will continue to increase. However, VHD has not received the attention it deserves from both the public and policymakers. Despite important advances in the pathophysiology, natural history, management, and treatment of VHD including the development of transcatheter therapies, VHD remains underdiagnosed, identified late, and often undertreated with inequality in access to care and treatment options, and there is no medication that can prevent disease progression. The present review article discusses these gaps in the management of VHD and potential actions to undertake to improve the outcome of patients with VHD.

Heart valve disease gender difference in the era of transcatether treatment

Available data have demonstrated important sex-related differences in patients with valvular heart  disease, regarding clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes. Although the calcific aortic  stenosis (AS) is more frequent in men compared to women, the majority of AS patients over 80  years old are women, in whom fibrotic remodeling of aortic valve is typically found. Mitral valve  disease is more common in women. However females are under-referred or delayed referrals to  treatment, probably due to the absence of sex-based LV dimension values guiding surgical timing.  The development of transcatheter devices have revolutionized the treatment of valvular heart disease and increased the interest in this topic. In this context, the consideration of gender differences in presentation, diagnosis, treatment success, and prognosis is of great importance.    

Indocyanine green clearance predicts outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter valve intervention for severe atrio-ventricular valve regurgitation.

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) aggravate haemodynamic stress leading to congestive heart failure with impaired hepatic function, also known as cardiohepatic syndrome (CHS). Current perioperative risk calculators do not sufficiently consider CHS and serum liver function parameters lack sensitivity to diagnose CHS. Indocyanine green and its elimination (measured by the LIMON® test) represent a dynamic and non-invasive test which correlates with the hepatic function. Nevertheless, its utility in the setting of transcatheter valve repair/replacement (TVR) to predict CHS and outcome remains unknown. We analysed liver function and outcomes of patients undergoing TVR for MR or TR between August 2020 and May 2021 at the Munich University Hospital. Out of a total of 44 patients treated at the University Hospital of Munich, 21 (48%) were treated for severe MR, 20 (46%) for severe TR and 3 (7%) for both diseases. Procedural success defined as MR/TR ≤2+ was 94% among MR patients and 92% among TR patients. While classical serum liver function parameters did not change after TVR, there was a significant improvement in liver function as assessed by the LIMON® test (P ≤ 0.001). Patients with baseline indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate <12.95%/min showed significantly increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.25, P = 0.027) and lower New York Hear Association class improvement (P = 0.05). Especially in the context of the recently stressed importance of a careful patient selection prior to the interdisciplinary treatment of valvular heart disease, the LIMON® test may provide further real-time information on the patients' cardiohepatic injury and prognosis.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Two Decades of Evolution - TAVI From Current Perspective

Background: In the treatment of valvular heart diseases, transcatheter therapies have changed the rules of the game, especially in the case of aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Since the first in man transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI) performed by Dr. Alain Cribier in 2002 in a non-operable aortic stenosis (AS) patient, TAVI has changed the lives of so many patients for whom medical treatment was, up to then, the only option. Objective: This article outlines patient selection and pre-procedure evaluation, current perspectives, recent advances, current and future devices, current guidelines informing the use of TAVI, expanding indications for TAVI, ongoing challenges and the future of TAVI. Methods: The use of these percutaneous techniques has also increased significantly in the past few years with its first application in 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the management of aortic stenosis and has become the standard of care for patients with AS at prohibitively high surgical risks, as well as a preferred treatment for elderly patients with intermediate and high-risk AS. Results: Since the first pioneering procedure was performed 22 years ago, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved into a routine procedure increasingly performed under conscious sedation via transfemoral access. On a global market worth $2 billion per year, over 300 000 patients have received a transcatheter aortic valve, demonstrating its clinical and market impact. TAVI may be used in lower risk, younger, asymptomatic populations with ongoing studies using an expanding portfolio of devices. Also, for patients deemed unsuitable for cardiac surgery, mitral transcatheter therapies represent the treatment of choice. Percutaneous repair techniques have had the most clinical experience to date. Conclusion: During this 20-year period, the increased knowledge on pre-procedural planning, the important technological improvements in transcatheter valves, the increased experience and the numerous studies that have been carried out have permitted an expansion of the indications for TAVI, from inoperable patients to high- and intermediate-risk patients. This article outlines patient selection and pre-procedure evaluation, current perspectives, recent advances, current and future devices, current guidelines informing the use of TAVI, expanding indications for TAVI, ongoing challenges and the future of TAVI.

Equity in Clinical Trial Participation Requires Equity in Identification and Treatment of Valvular Heart Disease

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Mitochondrial DNA as a Candidate Marker of Multiple Organ Failure after Cardiac Surgery

Assess the level of mitochondrial DNA depending on the presence of multiple organ failure in patients after heart surgery. The study included 60 patients who underwent surgical treatment of valvular heart disease using cardiopulmonary bypass. Uncomplicated patients were included in the 1st group (n = 30), patients with complications and multiple organ failure (MOF) were included in the 2nd group (n = 30). Serum mtDNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction with fluorescent dyes. Mitochondrial DNA gene expression did not differ between group before surgery. Immediately after the intervention, cytochrome B gene expression was higher in the group with MOF, and it remained high during entire follow-up period. A similar trend was observed in cytochrome oxidase gene expression. Increased NADH levels of gene expressions during the first postoperative day were noted in both groups, the expression showed tendency to increase on the third postoperative day. mtDNA gene expression in the "MOF present" group remained at a higher level compared with the group without complications. A positive correlation was reveled between the severity of MOF according to SOFA score and the level of mtDNA (r = 0.45; p = 0.028) for the end-point "First day". The ROC analysis showed that mtDNA circulating in plasma (AUC = 0.605) can be a predictor of MOF development. The level of mtDNA significantly increases in case of MOF, irrespective of its cause. (2) The expression of mtDNA genes correlates with the level of MOF severity on the SOFA score.

Abstract 11918: Improving Quality of Care for Patients With Valvular Heart Disease in a Learning Health System

Introduction: Delayed treatment of valvular heart disease (VHD) is associated with higher mortality and adverse event incidence. In a large, integrated health system, we developed and piloted a digital health solution embedded in the electronic health record (EHR) to identify, triage, and streamline evaluation of patients with VHD. Methods: The initiative began May 2021 with agreement of our team members and stakeholders for prioritization of the project and implementation. Structured echocardiographic data were made available in electronic data warehouse. SQL-based disease classification algorithms based on published guidelines were built for aortic stenosis (AS), mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiograms with suspected VHD were pushed daily into a reporting dashboard and smartform we built within the EHR. Nurse coordinators responsible for VHD patient care tested the platform, and we iteratively adapted components based on feedback. Performance of AS and MR classification algorithms against historical data were evaluated using kappa statistics. We launched the program in March 2022 and report the initial results. Results: Between August and October 2021, 650 echocardiograms were reviewed by a nurse coordinator. Agreement between the guideline-based algorithms and chart review was moderately high (0.64 for AS and 0.86 for MR). Between March and May 2022, 7180 echocardiograms with suspected VHD were surfaced in the EHR for 6588 patients. Among 1501 patients prioritized for review based on disease severity, 341 patients were referred to the valve clinic for procedural intervention, 783 patients are under watchful waiting, and 377 patients were determined to unlikely benefit from valve interventions. Conclusions: By leveraging data from echocardiogram repositories, it is feasible to implement a VHD quality improvement program within a learning health system. This requires a diverse and interdisciplinary team for development, implementation, governance, and continued iteration of EHR-embedded digital health tools to improve quality of care. While we focused on VHD, our methodology and infrastructure allow for expansion and leverage into other therapeutic domains within cardiovascular disease and beyond.

New Percutaneous Approaches for the Treatment of Heavily Calcified Mitral Valve Stenosis.

Important breakthroughs have considerably improved the outcomes of the percutaneous treatment of valvular heart diseases during the last decades. However, calcium deposition and progressive calcification of the left-sided heart valves present a challenge with prognostic implications that have not been addressed until recently. In the case of native mitral stenosis with no surgical options, a compelling need for tackling heavily calcified valves has led to the development of novel debulking techniques and to the use of aortic balloon-expandable bioprosthesis in the mitral position. In this section of the special issue "Mitral Valve Disease: State of the Art", we will review standard approaches and indications for the treatment of native mitral stenosis; summarize these two innovative solutions and their evidence, describing both procedures in a "step-by-step" fashion; and briefly comment on future directions in this field.

Measurement error in echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis: an epidemiological consideration of research methodology and clinical practice

Abstract Background/Introduction Current international guidelines on treatment of valvular heart disease contain recommendations for aortic valve replacement based exclusively on abnormal echocardiographic parameters in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis (AS). To prevent misclassification and subsequent mistreatment of patients, these recommendations require accurate and unbiased measurements of hemodynamic parameters. Purpose To illustrate consideration and impact of measurement error in echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis in both the research and clinical setting. Methods First, a systematic review was performed to investigate the recognition of and correction for measurement error in clinical studies on the prognostic value of peak aortic jet velocity (Vmax), mean pressure gradient (MPG), and effective orifice area (EOA). Second, all potential erroneous sources in the calculation of those primary parameters were listed stratified to random or systematic measurement error, and subsequently their magnitude was quantified. Third, the impact of various types of measurement error on current thresholds for intervention was graphically illustrated in different clinical scenarios. Results The presence of measurement error was acknowledged in 44% of the 36 included studies, while none utilized methods to correct for it. Interobserver variability ranged between 0.9–8.3% for Vmax and MPG but was substantially higher for EOA (range 7.7–12.7%) implying lower reliability (Figure 1). Furthermore, the invalid assumption of a circular left ventricular outflow tract area resulted in a median underestimation in EOA of 22.5% compared to 3D-transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE), computed tomography (CT), and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) planimetry. Figure 2 illustrates the impact of this discrepancy on the classification of AS using one-sided t-tests to determine the areas under the curve; the proportion of patients with non-severe AS in a hypothetical cohort (based on values from the PARTNER 3 trial [1[) increased by 42%. Conclusion(s) Measurement error is underrecognized in studies of echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis. This review demonstrates that random and systematic measurement errors affect echocardiographic assessment, leading to potential misdiagnosis and subsequent mistreatment. Clinicians and scientists should be aware of the implications of measurement errors to enhance rightful clinical decision-making and assure research validity. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.