American Heart Association Launches Initiative to Accelerate Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis and Clinical Trial Access

The American Heart Association has launched a new effort to support earlier diagnosis and treatment of aortic stenosis, a common but underdiagnosed heart valve condition that can lead to severe complications including heart failure and death if left untreated. This initiative aims to boost clinical trial participation and speed diagnosis of aortic stenosis, which is characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve opening that restricts blood flow from the heart to the body. The program will leverage the established infrastructure of the Association's Target: Aortic Stenosis™ program, which already manages more than 2,200 people with moderate aortic stenosis through its existing quality improvement network.

According to Dr. Sreekanth Vemulapalli, the Association's volunteer project clinical leader and volunteer member of the Target: Aortic Stenosis Scientific Advisory Group, aortic stenosis remains a serious condition that often goes undiagnosed until the disease progresses. 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 effort will engage at least 40 hospitals and their affiliated heart valve clinics across the nationwide network to connect more individuals with research opportunities, promoting emerging medical therapy alternatives and advancing guideline-based care.

The initiative receives support from Kardigan, with Dr. Jay Edelberg, co-founder and chief medical officer at Kardigan, emphasizing their mission to revolutionize cardiovascular disease treatment by moving beyond symptom management and redefining care where patients need it most. Improving access to clinical trials will not only advance innovation but also help more people receive the diagnosis and treatment they need sooner. As part of this comprehensive effort, the Association 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 receives additional support from Edwards Lifesciences, building on existing partnerships to address the critical need for earlier intervention in aortic stenosis cases. This coordinated approach represents a significant step forward in addressing the diagnostic and treatment gaps that have long challenged patients and healthcare providers managing this serious cardiovascular condition.