Valvular Heart Disease

Coordinators:

Marta Sitges Carreño

Organization: Fundación de Investigación Clínic Barcelona-Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer

Center: INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES BIOMEDICAS AUGUST PI I SUNYER

Carlos Zaragoza Sánchez

Organization: Servicio Madrileño de Salud

Center: HOSPITAL RAMON Y CAJAL

The CIBER Valvular Heart Disease Program is primarily aimed at promoting clinical and translational research in the field of valvular heart diseases. To achieve this, it seeks to integrate research groups with a strong track record, foster collaboration between the program’s principal investigators and other CIBER areas, and design a flagship national project within the next two years.

Strategic Lines of the Program include:

- Creation of a National Valvular Heart Disease Registry, which will provide a better understanding of the epidemiology of these conditions, support improved clinical decision-making, optimize resource planning, and help design public health policies aligned with population needs. This registry will serve as a foundational database to drive new research initiatives and raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early diagnosis.

- Promotion of innovative approaches to valve replacement, focusing on minimally invasive surgical techniques and percutaneous procedures that enhance patient recovery and optimize cost-effectiveness. In addition, new materials for valve devices will be investigated with the aim of improving durability and biocompatibility.

- Incorporation of state-of-the-art imaging technologies. The program will focus on improving risk stratification, developing non-invasive molecular imaging tools, and reducing the toxicity of diagnostic procedures, thereby enabling more accurate and less invasive diagnoses.

- Advancement of translational medicine in valvular heart disease, through the development of experimental models to test new devices, validate treatments, and design preventive strategies. The program will also explore novel therapeutic targets and advanced imaging tools to enhance diagnosis and disease monitoring