Valvular Heart Disease

The 2020 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) Guidelines describe different stages in the progression of valvular heart disease (VHD).²

• Stage A (at risk): patients with risk factors for development of VHD.

• Stage B (progressive): patients with progressive VHD (mild to moderate severity and asymptomatic).

• Stage C (asymptomatic severe): asymptomatic patients who meet criteria for severe VHD.

o C1: asymptomatic patients with a compensated left and right ventricle.

o C2: asymptomatic patients with decompensation of the left or right ventricle.

• Stage D (symptomatic severe): patients who have developed symptoms as a result of VHD.