NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • View and register for involvement opportunities
    • Patient & Public Groups
    • Patient and Public Involvement Advisory Group
    • Diversity in Research Group
    • Oxford Blood Group
    • Case Studies
    • PPIE Strategy
    • PPIE News
    • PPI Researcher Guidance
    • Researchers: Post a PPIE opportunity
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Cardiovascular Medicine > Blog: the implications of the OxVALVE-Survive study on GP practice

Blog: the implications of the OxVALVE-Survive study on GP practice

18 November 2021 · Listed under Cardiovascular Medicine, Multimorbidity and Long-Term Conditions, Translational Data Science

Academic GPs Dr Clare Taylor and Dr Nick Jones (pictured) from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences outline the findings of the OxVALVE-Survive study and implications for their own clinical practice.

Valvular heart disease occurs when valves become either narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation). An echocardiogram, or ‘echo’, is an ultrasound scan of the heart used to assess the structure and function of the heart overall, and of the individual valves.

The scans are done by highly trained echo technicians and the reports can be detailed. As GPs, we often receive echo reports which have found mild valvular heart disease, particularly in older patients.

The OxVALVE cohort study, led by cardiologists Professor Bernard Prendergast and Professor Saul Myerson, recruited more than 4,000 people aged 65 and over from GP surgeries in Oxfordshire to assess the prevalence of valvular heart disease. All participants had an echo assessment and over half were found to have some form of valvular heart disease, most of which was mild.

In the OxVALVE-Survive study, which is supported by the NIHR Oxford BRC, we worked with the OxVALVE team to explore the long-term outlook of people in the original cohort.

We created linkage between the OxVALVE study and Office for National Statistics mortality data through a data sharing agreement with NHS Digital. This enabled us to look at both survival times and causes of death for all participants who had died since the start of the study.

We found that for people with mild valvular heart disease there was no increase in all-cause mortality. However, for participants with aortic sclerosis or mitral annular calcification, often associated with atherosclerosis or ‘hardening of the arteries’, there was an increased risk of death overall. Furthermore, the small number of people with both moderate-severe valvular heart disease and atherosclerotic valve abnormalities had the highest risk of all.

So, what do the findings from OxVALVE-Survive mean for patients and GPs? Well, the take home message for us is that patients with mild valvular heart disease on their echo report can be reassured that it is unlikely to affect long-term outcome.

Atherosclerotic valve disease has previously been thought of as benign because it does not have a functional effect, but our results highlight its prognostic importance. We need more research to understand the underlying mechanisms and determine whether measures such cholesterol-lowering therapy could make a difference to outcome.

Read the full paper.

← Blood pressure drugs could protect against type 2 diabetes
RECOVERY Trial launched in South Africa →

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre