Riverside Healthcare is among healthcare organizations nationwide adopting Target: Aortic Stenosis, a new American Heart Association program designed to improve diagnosis and treatment of a serious heart valve disease that affects more than 1.7 million Americans over age 65
Without valve replacement, survival rates for untreated patients drop sharply—as few as half survive beyond two years. Yet many cases go undiagnosed or undertreated
“We are proud to be recognized for our team’s dedication to improving heart valve disease care and treatment,” Vice President of Riverside Healthcare Benjamin McLain said in a news release. “The Target program for aortic stenosis helps us to optimize treatment pathways and bring together the patient, caregivers, and providers to determine the best way forward.”
The program combines evidence-based diagnostic measures, treatment guidelines, and educational rems to improve outcomes from symptom onset through diagnosis and treatment
Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a member of the American Heart Association’s Quality Oversight Committee, said the program addresses a critical gap in care
“Prior evidence has suggested that symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis are undertreated with aortic valve replacement, and this undertreatment is associated with a substantial adverse impact on symptoms, hospitalizations, and survival,” Fonarow said. “With a foundational understanding of aortic stenosis through the Target: Aortic Stenosis program, healthcare organizations can optimize treatment pathways and referrals to ensure patients receive the right level of care at the right time.”
More information is available at heart.org/TargetAS
