Management of echocardiography requests for the detection and follow‐Up of heart valve disease: a consensus statement from the British Heart Valve Society
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
In the aftermath of the Covid19 pandemic and lockdowns, there has been a growing population awaiting transthoracic echocardiograms for potential valvular heart disease. Conducting comprehensive echocardiograms for all individuals may no longer be practical, leading to substantial delays in obtaining the necessary scans. This paper explores an alternative approach, suggesting the consideration of dedicated and shorter scans specifically for patients suspected of having valvular heart disease.
Hypothesis
To address the increasing waiting times and improve heart valve disease detection, the British Heart Valve Society recommends a tiered approach to echocardiograms.
Methods
This approach includes basic/level 1, focused, minimum standard, and disease-specific scans. Urgency recommendations vary, with individuals experiencing exertional chest pain or pre-syncope requiring prompt scanning within 2 weeks, ideally at a valve clinic.
Results
Patients without known valve disease but with a murmur and stable breathlessness should be scanned as soon as possible, within a maximum of 6 weeks, balancing local demand and capacity. For those with an asymptomatic murmur and no prior scan, a basic/level 1 study is recommended to triage the necessity for a minimum standard study. Emphasizing appropriate triage for all requests, the statement guides decisions on the necessity for echocardiography, urgency level, and the required scan type.
Conclusion
This practical Consensus Statement from the British Heart Valve Society aims to support appropriate shorter transthoracic echocardiography for patients referred for suspected valvular heart disease. The goal is to enhance capacity in a secure manner, thereby minimizing the risks associated with delays in obtaining timely scans.
In the aftermath of the Covid19 pandemic and lockdowns, there has been a growing population awaiting transthoracic echocardiograms for potential valvular heart disease. Conducting comprehensive echocardiograms for all individuals may no longer be practical, leading to substantial delays in obtaining the necessary scans. This paper explores an alternative approach, suggesting the consideration of dedicated and shorter scans specifically for patients suspected of having valvular heart disease.
Hypothesis
To address the increasing waiting times and improve heart valve disease detection, the British Heart Valve Society recommends a tiered approach to echocardiograms.
Methods
This approach includes basic/level 1, focused, minimum standard, and disease-specific scans. Urgency recommendations vary, with individuals experiencing exertional chest pain or pre-syncope requiring prompt scanning within 2 weeks, ideally at a valve clinic.
Results
Patients without known valve disease but with a murmur and stable breathlessness should be scanned as soon as possible, within a maximum of 6 weeks, balancing local demand and capacity. For those with an asymptomatic murmur and no prior scan, a basic/level 1 study is recommended to triage the necessity for a minimum standard study. Emphasizing appropriate triage for all requests, the statement guides decisions on the necessity for echocardiography, urgency level, and the required scan type.
Conclusion
This practical Consensus Statement from the British Heart Valve Society aims to support appropriate shorter transthoracic echocardiography for patients referred for suspected valvular heart disease. The goal is to enhance capacity in a secure manner, thereby minimizing the risks associated with delays in obtaining timely scans.
Date Issued
2025-02-01
Date Acceptance
2025-02-03
Citation
Clinical Cardiology, 2025, 48 (2)
ISSN
0160-9289
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
e70099
Journal / Book Title
Clinical Cardiology
Volume
48
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Clinical Cardiology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39967372
Subjects
echocardiography
heart valve
valve lesion
Humans
Heart Valve Diseases
Echocardiography
Consensus
COVID-19
United Kingdom
Societies, Medical
SARS-CoV-2
Triage
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
e70099
Date Publish Online
2025-02-18