Pavone N, Burzotta F, Bruno P, Spalletta C, Farina P, Cammertoni F, Nesta M, Chiariello GA, Grandinetti M, De Belvis AG, Marzetti E, Angeletti C, Pasquini A, Mazza A, Iafrancesco M, Trani C, Lombardo A, and Massetti M
The growing burden of valvular heart disease in Western countries represents a challenge for the daily clinical practice, especially in the light of the ever-increasing number of therapeutic options. The Euro Heart Survey showed that, among elderly subjects with severe, symptomatic valve dysfunction, surgery is denied for 33% of patients with aortic stenosis and for 50% of patients with mitral regurgitation. Current management (from diagnosis to follow-up) is often fragmented in multiple-sometimes unnecessary-steps. Such a "patchy" approach may translate into a suboptimal management, especially in the geriatric population. New healthcare models exist that can coordinate care, reduce fragmentation, limit costs and, ultimately, improve outcomes: the clinical pathways., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)