Updated guidelines simplify approach to referrals for valvular heart disease

September 13, 2021

The highly anticipated 2021 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease have finally landed.

We are excited to bring you a summary of the main updates, plus the new materials coming soon to support you and your teams in understanding and implementing the changes. 

Key points include:

Treatment recommendations for all patients with severe aortic stenosis to be made by the Heart Team

Intervention options for patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis

Bioprosthetic valves now recommended for those with life expectancy shorter than valve durability

Intervention recommended for patients with secondary mitral regurgitation, who remain symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy

Use your experience of severe aortic stenosis to ensure the best patient outcomes

The choice between surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) must be made following evaluation of all factors – clinical, anatomical and procedural – weighing the risks and benefits of each approach for all patients with severe aortic stenosis, and after discussion with the patient.

  • SAVR is recommended in younger patients under 75 years, who are low surgical risk
  • TAVI is now recommended for all patients with severe aortic stenosis 75 years or older, who are suitable for transfemoral TAVI, based on clinical trial and registry data.
  • Further Heart Team evaluation is required for all remaining patients – such as those under 75 years with a risk score between 4% and 8%

    • Treatment options have broadened for patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis, including those with systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LV ejection fraction <55%) without another cause.

    Enable more of your patients to live the active lifestyle they desire

    Bioprosthetic valves now have a Class I recommendation for patients with life expectancy lower than the durability of the valve. Now, more of your patients can live a life free from anticoagulation. In addition, bioprosthetic valves may be considered for patients already on long-term novel oral anticoagulants.

    Ensure you meet your patients’ high expectations by offering them the best valve technologies.

    Be courageous, be experienced, be ethical… according to the guidelines!

    Join us from the comfort of your office for a virtual symposium discussing the changes and what they mean for your practice. Eleven speakers from across Europe will cover the implications for the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves. Click here for the full programme.

    Tuesday 21 September 2021

    3.00–7.45 pm CET

    REGISTER NOW

    Coming soon from Edwards

  • Order for free the 2021 ESC Pocket Guidelines: ESC/EACTS Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease
  • Find a full summary of the EACTS congress, plus all you need to know from the guidelines
  • Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to be the first to know more

    • Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, and the stylized E logo are trademarks or service marks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation or its affiliates.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    © 2021 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All rights reserved. NP–EU-0633 v1.0

    Edwards Lifesciences • Route de l’Etraz 70, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland • edwards.com

    Dr. Hendrik Treede, Germany

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals

    MVT Fundamentals

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    MVT Fundamentals

    MVT Fundamentals Course

    Dr. Jean-Louis Vanoverschelde, Belgium

    Dr. Mark R. Helmers, USA 

    Dr. Matthias Siepe, Germany 

    Keywords: minimally invasive; mitral valve repair; mitral valve replacement

    One benefit of minimally invasive cardiac surgery compared with conventional sternotomy is faster recovery after surgery, which results in shorter lengths of stay in hospital for patients. However, there are concerns over longer operative times, complication rates and durability of repair. The use of minimally invasive techniques for mitral valve repair is increasing but it is not currently clear whether the benefits of this approach over conventional sternotomy outweigh the disadvantages.

    This article presents the largest meta-analysis, to date, comparing early and late outcomes of mitral valve repair via minimally invasive surgery versus a conventional sternotomy approach. Sá et al. assessed a broad range of outcomes, including operative times, mortality, complications and hospital stay.

    Download below to discover the latest findings in mitral valve repair.

    Click here to access the full publication

    Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, are trademarks or service marks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    © 2020 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All rights reserved.

    Edwards Lifesciences • Route de l’Etraz 70, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland • edwards.com