Comparison of the Recent Updates to the ACC/AHA and ESC Guidelines for the Management of Valvular Heart Disease: Similarities and Differences.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There have been several advances in the diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease (VHD) over the last decade. These have been reflected in the latest European and North American guidelines, although both contain significant similarities and differences. In this review, we highlight the important overlaps and variations between the updated guidelines and their previous versions to help guide the general cardiologist.

RECENT FINDINGS: There has been extensive revision on the use of percutaneous treatments, the indications for intervention in asymptomatic VHD, and perioperative bridging therapies. The updated guidelines provide new recommendations in many aspects of VHD; however, there remain significant gaps in the role of biomarkers in VHD and the long-term outcomes of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and transcatheter therapies.