People living with aortic stenosis (AS) may soon benefit from earlier access to innovative care and treatment due to a new initiative by the American Heart Association. This effort aims to enhance clinical trial participation and accelerate the diagnosis of this prevalent yet often underdiagnosed heart valve condition.
Aortic stenosis is marked by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening, which restricts blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. If left untreated, the condition can lead to severe health complications, including heart failure and even death. The American Heart Association, committed to fostering healthier lives, is expanding its support for patients with moderate AS. The organization is launching a new campaign to raise awareness and improve access to clinical trials through its extensive network of hospitals and heart valve clinics nationwide.
Driving Awareness and Access
“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 and a member of the Target: Aortic Stenosis Scientific Advisory Group. Dr. Vemulapalli, who is also an associate professor of medicine at Duke University, emphasized the initiative’s potential impact. “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 initiative, supported by Kardigan, builds upon the existing infrastructure of the Association’s Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program. Currently, over 2,200 individuals with moderate AS are managed through the Association’s quality improvement network. This 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.
The Role of Kardigan and Edwards Lifesciences
“We’re proud to support this American Heart Association initiative to help connect patients with moderate aortic stenosis to promising research opportunities,” stated 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.”
In addition to Kardigan’s support, the Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program is also backed by Edwards Lifesciences. This collaboration aims to leverage 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 explore barriers to trial enrollment and inform solutions that increase participation in structural heart disease research.
Implications for Future Care
The announcement comes as the medical community increasingly recognizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing aortic stenosis. Historically, AS has been a challenging condition to diagnose early, often leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes. By fostering a more proactive approach, the American Heart Association’s initiative could significantly alter the treatment landscape for AS patients.
According to experts, the initiative represents a crucial step forward in addressing the unmet needs of AS patients. By facilitating greater participation in clinical trials, the program not only seeks to advance medical research but also to ensure that patients receive timely and effective treatment options.
Looking ahead, the success of this initiative could serve as a model for other cardiovascular conditions, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and patient engagement in clinical research. As the program unfolds, its impact on patient outcomes and the broader healthcare system will be closely monitored.
The move represents a significant commitment to improving the lives of those affected by aortic stenosis, with the potential to transform care practices and enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.
