Summary of the ESC guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012). Prepared by the Czech Society of Cardiology
Abstract
The update of the guidelines on valvular heart disease (VHD) was necessary for several reasons. There is new evidence on risk stratification with the use of echocardiography.
The therapeutic options have changed due to further development of surgical repair techniques of the valves and new trans-catheter techniques. The population with VHD is often of older age, polymorbid, with growing proportion of previously operated patients.
The decision concerning treatment must be complex, made in collaboration between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. The Euro Heart Survey on VHD confirmed a real gap between older guidelines and their application in real life.
Due to the lack of evidence-based data and randomized studies, most recommendations in VHD are the result of expert consensus opinion (Table 1 and Table 2).