~5mThe Heart Team: Collaboration is key
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:
Heart Team recommendations must be discussed with patient and family to allow informed treatment choice
Heart Valve Centres are a key component of the Heart Team approach
Early Heart Team referral encouraged if patient’s symptoms develop/worsen before next planned visit
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.
Class I recommendations for a collaborative Heart Team approach
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.
Interventions should be performed in Heart Valve Centres, using a structured and collaborative Heart Team approach.
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:
- Meet the people behind the guidelines in 2021 EACTS/ESC Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease: Meet the task force members in room 111, at 12:30 on Saturday 16 October
- Join Drs Bonaros and Bourguignon for Problems and concerns related to the choice of an optimal aortic valve substitute in room 111 on Thursday 14 October at 14:15
- Challenging decisions and long-term outcomes in tricuspid and mitral disease with Professor Folliguet is one to attend in room 115 at 16:15 on Friday 15 October
Check out the Edwards congress hub for more information about their upcoming symposia, or meet them onsite at the booth.
You can also read more practical information about the ESC/EACTS guidelines
- Check out Professor Michael Borger’s recent presentation on what’s missing from the new ESC/EACTS guidelines
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