Valvular & structural heart disease
Frequency and natural course of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association valvular heart disease stages in the general population: results from the population-based STAAB cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In a large community cohort, VHD was common, especially at older ages, and about 11% of individuals progressed within 3 years. Echocardiographic indices (E/e’) and the biomarker NT-proBNP emerged as stage-specific predictors, supporting their potential role, along with age and metabolic factors, in identifying individuals at higher risk for progression.
Study context
- Population
- Residents (30–79 years) from Würzburg, Germany, without self-reported heart failure3,833 followed for a median of 34 months
- Participants
- 4,943 residents
- Exposure
- No valvular heart disease (VHD) vs stage A vs stage B vs stage C/D
- Outcome
- VHD stages
- Follow-up
- Baseline
Methodological detailsprestratified, population-based sample
- Prestratified, population-based sample
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Stage A | Stage B |
|---|---|---|
| VHD progression · median of 34 months | 10% | 1.3% |
| Aged 60-69 years | 15% | 1.6% |
| Aged 70-79 years | 25% | 2.6% |
- VHD progression: Among 3833 participants followed
Predictors of progression
- Elevated E/e’ predicted progression from stage A
- Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicted progression from stage B
- Multivariable age-adjusted models
Aortic stenosis progression (continuous analysis)
- Associations with older age, higher body mass index, diabetes and baseline peak velocity
Original publication
Frequency and natural course of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association valvular heart disease stages in the general population: results from the population-based STAAB cohort study. Heart. Published 9 December 2025. doi:10.
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