The Heart Team: Collaboration is key

October 5, 2021

A key focus of the new ESC/EACTS guidelines is the instrumental role of the Heart Team in decisions concerning intervention and treatment, and the importance of collaborative decision making, taking both the Heart Team’s expert guidance and the wishes of the patient into consideration.

Key points include:

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Heart Team recommendations must be discussed with patient and family to allow informed treatment choice

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Heart Valve Centres are a key component of the Heart Team approach

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Early Heart Team referral encouraged if patient’s symptoms develop/worsen before next planned visit

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All patients with severe aortic stenosis must be referred through the Heart Team

Joint decision making gets the right treatment to each patient

ESC/EACTS guidelines now recommend that an active and collaborative Heart Team make decisions about intervention and treatment.

Your expertise means you are best placed to recommend the optimal valve procedure for the patient, in collaboration with the other specialists and dedicated personnel of the Heart Team.

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Class I recommendations for a collaborative Heart Team approach

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The choice between a surgical or transcatheter approach will depend on evaluation of the clinical, anatomical and procedural factors by the Heart Team, considering the risks and benefits for each individual patient.

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Interventions should be performed in Heart Valve Centres, using a structured and collaborative Heart Team approach.

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All procedural decisions should be patient-centred, giving consideration to age, operative risk, the patient’s life expectancy, lifestyle and environmental factors, their potential for reintervention and any co-morbidities. The final recommendation should also consider the desires of the patient. Ensure you meet your patients’ high expectations by offering them the best valve technologies. Early referral is encouraged if a patient’s symptoms develop/worsen before the next planned visit.

All procedural decisions should be patient-centred, giving consideration to age, operative risk, the patient’s life expectancy, lifestyle and environmental factors, their potential for reintervention and any co-morbidities. The final recommendation should also consider the desires of the patient. Ensure you meet your patients’ high expectations by offering them the best valve technologies. Early referral is encouraged if a patient’s symptoms develop/worsen before the next planned visit.

Interested in finding out more

The upcoming EACTS Annual Meeting has several sessions relevant for these changes:

You can also read more practical information about the ESC/EACTS guidelines

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