The American Heart Association has initiated a new program aimed at improving early diagnosis and treatment access for aortic stenosis, a common but frequently underdiagnosed heart valve condition. This effort focuses on expanding clinical trial participation and accelerating diagnosis through the Association's nationwide network of hospitals and heart valve clinics.
Aortic stenosis involves the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, which restricts blood flow from the heart to the body. Without proper treatment, this condition can lead to severe complications including heart failure and death. The initiative specifically targets patients with moderate aortic stenosis, a critical stage where early intervention could significantly improve outcomes.
"Aortic stenosis is a serious condition, yet too often, people go undiagnosed until the disease progresses," said Dr. Sreekanth Vemulapalli, the Association's volunteer project clinical leader. "By identifying eligible participants for new clinical trials and supporting clinical research, this initiative will help shape the future of care for people affected by this disease."
The program leverages the established infrastructure of the Association's Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program, which already manages more than 2,200 people with moderate aortic stenosis through its existing quality improvement network. This expansion will engage at least 40 hospitals and their affiliated heart valve clinics to connect more individuals with research opportunities, promoting emerging medical therapy alternatives and advancing guideline-based care.
Supported by Kardigan, the initiative represents a significant step toward revolutionizing cardiovascular disease treatment. "We're proud to support this American Heart Association initiative to help connect patients with moderate aortic stenosis to promising research opportunities," said Dr. Jay Edelberg, co-founder and chief medical officer at Kardigan. "Improving access to clinical trials will not only advance innovation, but also help more people receive the diagnosis and treatment they need sooner."
As part of this comprehensive effort, the Association will provide professional education, quality improvement tools and site-level support to help clinicians better identify and refer individuals eligible for clinical trials. A health care provider climate survey will also explore barriers to trial enrollment and inform solutions that increase participation in structural heart disease research. The Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program receives additional support from Edwards Lifesciences, further strengthening the collaborative approach to addressing this critical health issue.
This initiative matters because aortic stenosis affects millions of Americans, particularly older adults, and delayed diagnosis often leads to poorer outcomes and higher healthcare costs. By accelerating diagnosis and expanding access to innovative treatments through clinical trials, this program could fundamentally change how aortic stenosis is managed, potentially saving lives and reducing the burden of advanced heart disease. The focus on moderate aortic stenosis represents a strategic approach to intervention before the condition becomes severe, offering the potential for better long-term outcomes and quality of life for patients.
