People living with aortic stenosis (AS) may soon have earlier access to innovative care and treatment. The American Heart Association (AHA) has launched a new initiative designed to boost clinical trial participation and accelerate the diagnosis of this common, yet often underdiagnosed, heart valve condition.
Aortic stenosis is characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, which restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If left untreated, this condition can lead to severe complications, including heart failure and death. The AHA’s latest effort seeks to change this trajectory by expanding support for patients with moderate AS, focusing on enhancing awareness and access to clinical trials across its extensive network of hospitals and heart valve clinics.
Understanding Aortic Stenosis and Its Challenges
The announcement comes as aortic stenosis remains a significant health concern. Despite its prevalence, the condition often goes undiagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. “Aortic stenosis is a serious condition, yet too often, people go undiagnosed until the disease progresses,” explained Dr. Sreekanth Vemulapalli, the AHA’s volunteer project clinical leader and a member of the Target: Aortic Stenosis Scientific Advisory Group. Vemulapalli, who is also an associate professor of medicine at Duke University, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
By identifying eligible participants for new clinical trials and supporting clinical research, the initiative aims to shape the future of care for those affected by this disease. The effort is supported by Kardigan, a company dedicated to revolutionizing cardiovascular treatment.
Leveraging Established Infrastructure for Greater Impact
The initiative builds on the existing infrastructure of the AHA’s Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program. Currently, more than 2,200 people with moderate AS are managed through the Association’s quality improvement network. The new effort 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.
“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. “At Kardigan, we are on a mission to revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases by moving beyond symptom management and redefining care where patients and their families need it most and where therapies don’t currently exist. Improving access to clinical trials will not only advance innovation, but also help more people receive the diagnosis and treatment they need sooner.”
Addressing Barriers and Enhancing Professional Education
As part of this new effort, the AHA will provide professional education, quality improvement tools, and site-level support to help clinicians better identify and refer individuals eligible for clinical trials. A healthcare 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 is also supported by Edwards Lifesciences, further strengthening its capacity to drive meaningful change.
Implications and the Path Forward
This development follows a growing recognition of the need for early diagnosis and treatment of aortic stenosis. By enhancing clinical trial participation, the initiative not only aims to improve patient outcomes but also to foster innovation in treatment approaches. The move represents a significant step toward redefining care for cardiovascular diseases, with the potential to set new standards in the field.
Looking forward, the initiative’s success could pave the way for similar efforts targeting other underdiagnosed conditions. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, such proactive measures are crucial in ensuring that patients receive timely and effective care.
The American Heart Association’s commitment to improving heart health is evident in this ambitious endeavor, which promises to bring about transformative change in the management of aortic stenosis.
