Frequent Heart Exams Are Critical for Survival in Aortic Stenosis Patients

Patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis and normal left ventricular function who receive guideline-recommended evaluations every 6 to 12 months have lower risks for mortality and hospitalization for heart failure, according to a recent study.

In their retrospective cohort study, the researchers reviewed the data of 300 patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis who were admitted to the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. All-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and major adverse clinical events were compared between patients who had adhered to guidelines (n = 202) and those who did not (n = 98).
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Patients who had adhered to guidelines were more likely to have aortic valve replacement (54% vs 19.4%) and have the procedure earlier (2.2 years vs 3.5 years) than those who did not adhere. They also had a higher 4-year survival than patients who did not adhere.

Patients who did not adhere to guidelines were more likely to die and be hospitalized for heart failure decompensation.

“The findings of this study support the need for close monitoring of patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis and help to validate current guidelines for serial evaluations,” the researchers concluded. “These findings also support initiatives to improve guideline adherence in clinical practice.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Ahmed A, Sorajja P, Garberich RF, Farivar RS, Harris KM, Gössl M. Association of guideline adherence for serial evaluations with survival and adverse clinical events in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis [published online September 6, 2017]. JAMA Cardiol. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2017.2952.