Summary
This prospective observational survey enrolled 7,247 patients with severe native valvular heart disease or previous valvular intervention across 222 centres in 28 European countries during 2017. The study found aortic stenosis was the most common severe valve lesion (41.2% of native VHD cases), and that clinical decision-making for intervention aligned with Class I guideline recommendations in 68.5–79.4% of symptomatic patients depending on valve type, suggesting variable but substantial guideline adherence across European practice.
UK applicability
As a European multi-country observational study, findings are directly applicable to UK valvular heart disease management and guideline concordance. The study provides benchmarking data relevant to NHS cardiology services and may inform quality improvement initiatives around guideline-concordant care pathways in UK hospitals.
Key measures
Prevalence of valve disease types (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, multiple left-sided VHD, right-sided VHD); proportion of patients undergoing intervention; concordance with Class I guideline recommendations by valve type; patient demographics (age, sex, hospitalization status)
Outcomes reported
The study documented the prevalence and management patterns of severe native valvular heart disease across 28 European countries, and assessed concordance between clinical interventions and Class I guideline recommendations. Valvular interventions were performed or scheduled in 63.8% of patients with native VHD, with concordance rates ranging from 68.5% to 79.4% across different valve pathologies.
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