RAN Zechao 1,2 , WANG Yuqiang 1,2 , HE Siyu 1,2 , ZHONG Shitong 1,2 , CAO Tingqian 3 , LIU Xiang 4 , LUO Zeruxin 5 , LIU Lulu 1 , SHI Jun 1 , GUO Yingqiang 1,2
  • 1. Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610045, P. R. China;
  • 2. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610045, P. R. China;
  • 3. Integrated Care Management Center, Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
  • 4. Information Technology Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
  • 5. Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China;
GUO Yingqiang, Email: drguoyq@wchscu.cn
Valvular heart disease; full-life cycle management; disease management specialist; health services
10.7507/1007-4848.202503026
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Objective  To address the "three-low predicament" in China’s valvular heart disease (VHD) diagnosis and treatment system (low detection rate, low intervention rate, and low follow-up rate), and to propose and implement a full-lifecycle management model for VHD considering the increasing burden of degenerative valvular disease in the context of an aging population.Methods  Since 2020, West China Hospital of Sichuan University has established a management system encompassing “assessment-decision-intervention-follow-up,” including: (1) a risk-stratified, tiered management pathway; (2) six core functions (“promotion, screening, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation”) coordinated by disease-specific managers; (3) an intelligent decision support information platform; and (4) a collaborative network of multidisciplinary teams and regional academic alliances.Results: Between 2020 and 2024, a total of 583 874 echocardiographic screenings were completed, identifying 3 401 (7.07%) high-risk patients with aortic valve disease, 18 657 (38.80%) medium-risk patients, and 26 031 (54.13%) low-risk patients. A total of 2 417 patients were enrolled in full-lifecycle management. Patient satisfaction scores increased year by year, from 73.89 before 2020 to 93.74 in 2024. The 1-year mortality rate in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) cohort decreased from 8.2% to 5.3% (P<0.01).Conclusion  The VHD full-lifecycle management model, through optimized processes and integrated resources, has achieved significant results in standardizing diagnosis and follow-up procedures, improving patient satisfaction and quality of life, and reducing mortality. It provides a scalable practical model for VHD management in China.

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