The PREVASC study: Prospective REgistry of Valve disease in Asymptomatic Italian elderly SubjeCts

• DOI: 10.1007/s40520-025-02937-5
• Publication Date: 2025-03-21T22:18:20Z
• Authors: Nazario Carrabba; Mattia Alexis Amico; Gherardo Busi; Matteo Vannini; Filippo Bruscoli; Salvatore Fortunato; Luciano Arcari; Emilio Di Lorenzo; Giampaolo Luzi; Francesco Clemenza; Francesco Amico; Giuseppe Pes; Marco Merlo; Gianfranco Sinagra; Giovambattista De...; Francesco Vetta; Alessandro Mugelli; Niccolo Marchionni; Alessandro Boccan...; ; Paolo Vitillo; Federico Nicastro; Davide Bonadies; Giuseppe Caliendo; Giovanna Carpentieri; Immacolata Esposito; Loreto Cedrone; Luca Arcari; Barbara Pala; Priscilla Tifi; Edoardo Cittadini; Enrico Rathina Raj; Dario Giaccio; Gabriele Di Gesaro; Salvo Storniolo; Sebastiano Puglisi; Giuseppe Leggio; Fabio Dipasqua; Caterina Di Guardo; Paola Tribulato; Emanuela Biondi; Margherita Drago; Laura Salemi; Marinella Paratore; Nicola Campana; Alessandra Gioi; Simone Angius; Accalai Emanuele; Lionti Fabio; Roberta Piras; Lina Manzi; Alberto Guarnaccia; Marco Cittar; Maddalena Rossi; Lisa Pellin; Enzo Merro; Carla Indennidate; Stefano Contessi; Anna Reginato; Ambra Fabbro; Teresa Capovilla; Francesco Venturelli; Irena Tavčar; Berardini Elvasio; Maceroni Cinzia; Murzilli Romina; Occhiuzzi Enrico; Ricci Pierluigi; Tiburzi Flavio; Carla Andrea; Lorenzini Beatrice; Palazzolo Martina
• Keywords: valvular heart disease; Grading (engineering)

Abstract Aims Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, with its incidence and public health impact projected to increase significantly. This study adopts a novel perspective, focusing on elderly individuals residing in rural areas, highlighting unique dynamics small-town settings. Methods multicenter, observational was conducted from May 2022 September 2023, under coordination AOU Careggi Echo Core-Lab, which managed entire screening program. In 10 small Italian villages, each municipality facilitated enrollment asymptomatic aged ≥ 65 years, no prior VHD history, through voluntary participation. Participants were grouped into three age categories (65–69, 70–74, 75 years) underwent thorough evaluation, including Quality Life (QoL) questionnaire comprehensive echocardiographic assessment detection grading. Results Among 1,113 participants, prevalence severity showed significant ( p < 0.0001). Remarkably, 94% years had at least one valvular defect, 22.5% presenting moderate or severe valvulopathy, 4.8% for aortic valve stenosis 7.5% mitral regurgitation. Right-sided valvulopathies followed similar trend, affecting 71.9% participants. QoL evaluations revealed generally positive perceived status, mean score 77 ± 16. Conclusions Our registry highlights that over living communities substantial, increases age, predominantly degenerative etiology. Notably, most undiagnosed themselves as healthy.