Introduction

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common form of valvular heart disease and is present in 2–9% of the general population over 65 years of age.¹ The Society of Cardiovascular and Angiography Interventions (SCAI) and Avalere Health conducted an environmental scan and identified gaps in the continuum of care for patients with this condition. The Heart Valve Disease Quality Initiative is a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder program aimed at addressing the appropriate detection and management of AS.

Environmental Scan

To define the priority gap areas in identification and management of valve disease, a formal environmental scan was conducted to uncover current and planned initiatives that might inform the development of the initiative and bring to light stakeholder activities that seek to address the target patient population. This document summarizes the methodology and key findings from the scan, which will inform the development of interventions, research questions, and quality measure concepts to consider.

Read the report: “Bridging Gaps in Heart Valve Disease Care: Opportunities for Quality Improvement”

Goals

This initiative aims to support appropriate identification and management of patients with heart valve disease to improve outcomes and reduce complications across the care continuum.

The Heart Valve Initiative emphasizes a team-based approach to empower patients and providers with better education leading to improved outcomes.

¹ Faggiano P, Antonini-Canterin F, Baldessin F, Lorusso R, D'Aloia A, Cas LD. Epidemiology and cardiovascular risk factors of aortic stenosis. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. 2006;4:27.  Published 2006 Jul 1. doi:10.1186/1476-7120-4-27