Clinical cardiologist contributes to the formulation of the standard set in valvular heart disease
- FHS Communications
Clinical Scientist at the Wits Department of Internal Medicine and Editor-in-Chief of the South African Heart Journal, Professor Ruchika Meel, represented the South African Heart Association and contributed to the development of the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) heart valve disease (HVD) standard dataset.
This study represents a major step by ICHOM to standardise how outcomes are measured and reported in HVD. Traditionally, success in HVD treatment has been measured by device performance; however, this approach often overlooks what matters most to patients—quality of life, symptom relief, and functional improvement.
A landmark study has introduced the first global standard dataset for HVD outcomes, co-developed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers and patients. The dataset emphasizes patient-reported outcomes such as physical functioning, symptom burden and mental well-being.
The study, designed for global applicability, has enabled healthcare systems across regions to benchmark and compare the quality of care.
This also offers practical guidance for integrating the dataset into clinical workflows and electronic health records to support consistent, patient-focused care delivery.
The article has been co-published with permission from Circulation journals that represent a broad spectrum of cardiovascular and cardiothoracic specialties. This ensures that the standard dataset reaches clinicians, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.
Implications for South Africa
The burden of valvular heart disease in South Africa is substantial, primarily driven by the high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease. Sub-Saharan Africa, accounts for approximately 23% of global RHD cases, with an estimated prevalence of 10.31 cases per 1,000 people.
The ICHOM heart valve disease standard dataset has significant implications for South Africa by promoting a shift from procedure-based to patient-centred care, emphasising outcomes like quality of life and symptom relief. Its adoption could standardise care across the public and private sectors, improve resource allocation, and support value-based healthcare. It also enhances clinical training, enables global benchmarking, and helps identify and address disparities in access and outcomes. Overall, it offers a framework for more equitable, efficient, and patient-focused cardiovascular care.