2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of - MedPage Today

235 Pages·2014·1.97 MB·English

Accepted Manuscript
2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart
Disease
Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC, FAHA Catherine M. Otto, MD, FACC, FAHA Robert
O. Bonow, MD, MACC, FAHA Blase A. Carabello, MD, FACC John P. Erwin, III, MD,
FACC, FAHA Robert A. Guyton, MD, FACC Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, FACC, FAHA
Carlos E. Ruiz, MD, PhD, FACC Nikolaos J. Skubas, MD, FASE Paul Sorajja, MD,
FACC, FAHA Thoralf M. Sundt, III, MD James D. Thomas, MD, FASE, FACC, FAHA
PII: S0735-1097(14)01279-0
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.02.536
Reference: JAC 19928
To appear in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Please cite this article as: Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, Carabello BA, Erwin JP III, Guyton RA,
O’Gara PT, Ruiz CE, Skubas NJ, Sorajja P, Sundt TM III, Thomas JD, 2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the
Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease, Journal of the American College of Cardiology
(2014), doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.02.536.
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2014 AHA/ACC Valvular Heart Disease Guideline

2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular
Heart Disease

A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task
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Force on Practice Guidelines
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Developed in Collaboration With the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, AImerican Society of
Echocardiography, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular
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Anesthesiologists, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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WRITING COMMITTEE MEMBERS*

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Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC, FAHA, Co-Chair†
Catherine M. Otto, MD, FACC, FAHA, CoU-Chair†
Robert O. Bonow, MD, MACC, FAHA† Carlos E. Ruiz, MD, PhD, FACC†
Blase A. Carabello, MD, FACC*† Nikolaos J. NSkubas, MD, FASE¶
John P. Erwin III, MD, FACC, FAHA‡ Paul Sorajja, MD, FACC, FAHA#
Robert A. Guyton, MD, FACC*§ ThoralfA M. Sundt III, MD* **††
Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, FACC, FAHA† James D. Thomas, MD, FASE, FACC, FAHA‡‡
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ACC/AHA TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair
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Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect
Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, FAHA Judith S. Hochman, MD, FACC, FAHA
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Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC, FAHA
Ralph G. Brindis, MD, MPH, MACC E. Magnus Ohman, MD, FACC
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Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA§§ Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAHA
Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, FAHA Frank W. Sellke, MD, FACC, FAHA
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David DeMets, PhD Win-Kuang Shen, MD, FACC, FAHA
Robert A. Guyton, MD, FACC§§ William G. Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHA§§
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Clyde W. Yancy, MD, FACC, FAHA§§

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*Writing committee members are required to recuse themselves from voting on sections to which their specific relationships with
industry and other entities may apply; see Appendix 1 for recusal information.
†ACC/AHA representative. C
‡ACC/AHA Task Force on Performance Measures liaison.
§ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines liaison.
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¶Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists representative.
#Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions representative.
**American Association for Thoracic Surgery representative.
††Society of Thoracic Surgeons representative.
‡‡American Society of Echocardiography representative.
§§Former Task Force member during the writing effort.

This document was approved by the American College of Cardiology Board of Trustees and the American Heart Association Science
Advisory and Coordinating Committee in January 2014.

The American College of Cardiology requests that this document be cited as follows: Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, Carabello
BA, Erwin JP III, Guyton RA, O’Gara PT, Ruiz CE, Skubas NJ, Sorajja P, Sundt TM III, Thomas JD. 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the
management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task
Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol 2014; (cid:1)(cid:1):(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)–(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1)(cid:1).

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This article has been copublished in Circulation.

Copies: This document is available on the World Wide Web sites of the American College of Cardiology (www.cardiosource.org) and
the American Heart Association (my.americanheart.org). For copies of this document, please contact the Elsevier Inc. Reprint
Department via fax [phone] or e-mail [email protected].

Permissions: Multiple copies, modification, alteration, enhancement, and/or distribution of this document are not permitted without the
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express permission of the American College of Cardiology Foundation. Please contact [email protected].

© 2014 by the American Heart Association, Inc., and the American College of Cardiology Foundation. P

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Table of Contents
Preamble ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.1. Methodology and Evidence Review ............................................................................................................................. 9
1.2. Organization of the Writing Committee ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.3. Document Review and Approval ................................................................................................................................ 10
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1.4. Scope of the Guideline ............................................................................................................................................... 10
2. General Principles .............................................................................................................................................................. 12
2.1. Evaluation of the Patient With Suspected VHD ............................................................................P............................. 12
2.2. Definitions of Severity of Valve Disease ................................................................................................................... 12
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2.3. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ........................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.1. Diagnostic Testing–Initial Diagnosis: Recommendation ............................................R........................................ 13
2.3.2. Diagnostic Testing—Changing Signs or Symptoms: Recommendation ............................................................. 14
2.3.3. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up: Recommendation .............................C................................................ 14
2.3.4. Diagnostic Testing—Cardiac Catheterization: Recommendation ...................................................................... 15
2.3.5. Diagnostic Testing—Exercise Testing: Recommendation.................................................................................. 16
2.4. Basic Principles of Medical Therapy .................................................................S......................................................... 17
2.4.1. Secondary Prevention of Rheumatic Fever: Recommendation ........................................................................... 17
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2.4.2. IE Prophylaxis: Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 18
2.5. Evaluation of Surgical and Interventional Risk .......................................................................................................... 20
2.6. The Heart Valve Team and Heart Valve Centers of Excellence: RecoNmmendations ................................................. 22
3. Aortic Stenosis ................................................................................................................................................................... 25
3.1. Stages of Valvular AS ................................................................A................................................................................ 25
3.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 28
3.2.1.1. Diagnostic Testing—Initial Diagnosis: Recommendations .......................................................................... 28
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3.2.1.2. Diagnostic Testing—Changing Signs or Symptoms .................................................................................... 29
3.2.1.3. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up ..................................................................................................... 30
3.2.1.4. Diagnostic Testing—Cardiac Catheterization .............................................................................................. 30

3.2.1.5. Diagnostic Testing—Exercise Testing: RDecommendations ......................................................................... 31
3.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 32
3.2.3. Timing of Intervention: Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 34
3.2.4. Choice of Intervention: RecommendatioEn .......................................................................................................... 40
4. Aortic Regurgitation ........................................................................................................................................................... 45
4.1. Acute AR ...............................................T..................................................................................................................... 45
4.1.1. Diagnosis ............................................................................................................................................................ 45
4.1.2. Intervention ...........................P.............................................................................................................................. 46
4.2. Stages of Chronic AR ................................................................................................................................................. 46
4.3. Chronic AR ............................E..................................................................................................................................... 50
4.3.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 50
4.3.1.1. Diagnostic Testing—Initial Diagnosis: Recommendations .......................................................................... 50
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4.3.1.2. Diagnostic Testing—Changing Signs or Symptoms .................................................................................... 51
4.3.1.3. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up ..................................................................................................... 51
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4.3.1.4. Diagnostic Testing—Cardiac Catheterization .............................................................................................. 51
4.3.1.5. Diagnostic Testing—Exercise Testing ......................................................................................................... 52
4.3.2. Medical TAherapy: Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 52
4.3.3. Timing of Intervention: Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 53
5. Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Aortopathy .............................................................................................................................. 57
5.1. Bicuspid Aortic Valve ................................................................................................................................................ 57
5.1.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 57
5.1.1.1. Diagnostic Testing—Initial Diagnosis: Recommendations .......................................................................... 57
5.1.1.2. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up: Recommendation ....................................................................... 59
5.1.2. Medical Therapy ................................................................................................................................................. 59
5.1.3. Intervention: Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 59
6. Mitral Stenosis ................................................................................................................................................................... 61
6.1. Stages of MS ............................................................................................................................................................... 61
6.2. Rheumatic MS ............................................................................................................................................................ 63
6.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 63
6.2.1.1. Diagnostic Testing—Initial Diagnosis: Recommendations .......................................................................... 63
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6.2.1.2. Diagnostic Testing—Changing Signs or Symptoms .................................................................................... 64
6.2.1.3. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up ..................................................................................................... 64
6.2.1.4. Diagnostic Testing—Cardiac Catheterization .............................................................................................. 65
6.2.1.5. Diagnostic Testing—Exercise Testing: Recommendation ........................................................................... 65
6.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 66
6.2.3. Intervention: Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 67
6.3. Nonrheumatic MS..................................................................................................................................T..................... 72
7. Mitral Regurgitation ........................................................................................................................................................... 73
7.1. Acute MR ......................................................................................................................................P............................. 73
7.1.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 74
7.1.2. Medical Therapy ..............................................................................................................I................................... 74
7.1.3. Intervention .................................................................................................................R........................................ 75
7.2. Stages of Chronic MR ................................................................................................................................................ 75
7.3. Chronic Primary MR .................................................................................................................................................. 79
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7.3.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ................................................................................................................................... 79
7.3.1.1. Diagnostic Testing—Initial Diagnosis: Recommendations .......................................................................... 79
7.3.1.2. Diagnostic Testing—Changing Signs or Symptoms ...........................S......................................................... 81
7.3.1.3. Diagnostic Testing—Routine Follow-Up ..................................................................................................... 81
7.3.1.4. Diagnostic Testing—Cardiac Catheterization ..............................U................................................................ 82
7.3.1.5. Diagnostic Testing—Exercise Testing: Recommendations ......................................................................... 83
7.3.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations .........................................N........................................................................ 83
7.3.3. Intervention: Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 84
7.4. Chronic Secondary MR .............................................................................................................................................. 90
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7.4.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations .................................................................................................... 90
7.4.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ................................................................................................................. 91
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7.4.3. Intervention: Recommendations ......................................................................................................................... 92
8. Tricuspid Valve Disease ..................................................................................................................................................... 94
8.1. Stages of TR ............................................................................................................................................................... 94

8.2. Tricuspid Regurgitation .............................................................................................................................................. 98
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8.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations .................................................................................................... 98
8.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 100
8.2.3. Intervention: Recommendations ...........E............................................................................................................ 100
8.3. Stages of Tricuspid Stenosis ..................................................................................................................................... 104
8.4. Tricuspid Stenosis..................................T................................................................................................................... 104
8.4.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations .................................................................................................. 104
8.4.2. Medical Therapy ............................................................................................................................................... 105
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8.4.3. Intervention: Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 105
9. Pulmonic Valve Disease ................................................................................................................................................... 106
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9.1. Stages of Pulmonic Regurgitation ............................................................................................................................ 106
9.2. Stages of Pulmonic Stenosis ..................................................................................................................................... 106
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10. Mixed Valve Disease ..................................................................................................................................................... 107
10.1. Mixed VHD ............................................................................................................................................................ 107
10.1.1. Diagnosis andC Follow-Up ............................................................................................................................... 107
10.1.2. Medical Therapy ............................................................................................................................................. 108
10.1.3. Timing oAf Intervention .................................................................................................................................... 108
10.1.4. Choice of Intervention .................................................................................................................................... 109
11. Prosthetic Valves ............................................................................................................................................................ 109
11.1. Evaluation and Selection of Prosthetic Valves ....................................................................................................... 109
11.1.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations ................................................................................................ 109
11.1.2. Intervention: Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 112
11.2. Antithrombotic Therapy for Prosthetic Valves ....................................................................................................... 116
11.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ............................................................................................................................... 116
11.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 117
11.3. Bridging Therapy for Prosthetic Valves ................................................................................................................. 121
11.3.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ............................................................................................................................... 121
11.3.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 122
11.4. Excessive Anticoagulation and Serious Bleeding With Prosthetic Valves: Recommendation ............................... 123
11.5. Thromboembolic Events With Prosthetic Valves ................................................................................................... 125
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11.5.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ............................................................................................................................... 125
11.5.2. Medical Therapy ............................................................................................................................................. 125
11.5.3. Intervention ..................................................................................................................................................... 125
11.6. Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis .................................................................................................................................. 126
11.6.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations ................................................................................................ 126
11.6.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 127
11.6.3. Intervention: Recommendations ..................................................................................................T................... 128
11.7. Prosthetic Valve Stenosis ....................................................................................................................................... 130
11.7.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ....................................................................................................P........................... 130
11.7.2. Medical Therapy ............................................................................................................................................. 130
11.7.3. Intervention: Recommendation ......................................................................................I................................. 131
11.8. Prosthetic Valve Regurgitation .........................................................................................R...................................... 131
11.8.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ............................................................................................................................... 131
11.8.2. Medical Therapy ............................................................................................................................................. 131
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11.8.3. Intervention: Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 132
12. Infective Endocarditis .................................................................................................................................................... 133
12.1. IE: Overview ...................................................................................................S....................................................... 133
12.2. Infective Endocarditis ............................................................................................................................................. 134
12.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations ..................................U.............................................................. 134
12.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 141
12.2.3. Intervention: Recommendations ...............................................N...................................................................... 144
13. Pregnancy and VHD ....................................................................................................................................................... 151
13.1. Native Valve Stenosis: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 151
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13.1.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendation ................................................................................................. 152
13.1.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 153
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13.1.3. Intervention: Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 154
13.2. Native Valve Regurgitation .................................................................................................................................... 158
13.2.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: Recommendations ................................................................................................ 158

13.2.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendation ............................................................................................................... 160
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13.2.3. Intervention: Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 160
13.3. Prosthetic Valves in Pregnancy .............................................................................................................................. 162
13.3.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up: RecommenEdations ................................................................................................ 162
13.3.2. Medical Therapy: Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 164
14. Surgical Considerations ...............................T................................................................................................................... 170
14.1. Evaluation of Coronary Anatomy: Recommendations ........................................................................................... 170
14.2. Concomitant Procedures ......................................................................................................................................... 172
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14.2.1. Intervention for CAD: Recommendation ........................................................................................................ 172
14.2.2. Intervention for AF: Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 173
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15. Noncardiac Surgery in Patients With VHD .................................................................................................................... 176
15.1. Diagnosis and Follow-Up ....................................................................................................................................... 176
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15.2. Medical Therapy ..................................................................................................................................................... 176
15.3. Intervention: Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 177
16. Evidence Gaps and FutCure Directions ............................................................................................................................ 180
16.1. Prevention of Valve Disease(cid:190) Stage A .................................................................................................................. 180
16.2. Medical TheraApy to Treat or Prevent Disease Progression(cid:190) Stage B .................................................................... 180
16.3. Optimal Timing of Intervention(cid:190) Stage C ............................................................................................................. 180
16.4. Better Options for Intervention(cid:190) Stage D .............................................................................................................. 181
Appendix 1. Author Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) ................................................................ 183
Appendix 2. Reviewer Relationships With Industry and Other Entities (Relevant) ............................................................ 185
Appendix 3. Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................. 197

References ............................................................................................................................................................................ 199

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Preamble
The medical profession should play a central role in evaluating evidence related to drugs, devices, and
procedures for detection, management, and prevention of disease. When properly applied, expert analysis of
available data on the benefits and risks of these therapies and procedures can improve the quality of care,
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optimize patient outcomes, and favorably affect costs by focusing resources on the most effective strategies. An
organized and directed approach to a thorough review of evidence has resulted in the productPion of clinical
practice guidelines that assist clinicians in selecting the best management strategy for an iIndividual patient.
Moreover, clinical practice guidelines can provide a foundation for other applications, sRuch as performance
measures, appropriate use criteria, and both quality improvement and clinical decision support tools.
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The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have jointly
engaged in the production of guidelines in the area of cardiovascular disease Ssince 1980. The ACC/AHA Task
Force on Practice Guidelines (Task Force) directs this effort by developinUg, updating, and revising practice
guidelines for cardiovascular diseases and procedures
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Experts in the subject under consideration are selected from both ACC and AHA to examine subject-
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specific data and write guidelines. Writing committees are specifically charged with performing a literature
review, weighing the strength of evidence for or against parMticular tests, treatments, or procedures, and including
estimates of expected health outcomes where such data exist. Patient-specific modifiers, comorbidities, and
issues of patient preference that may influence the cho ice of tests or therapies are considered, as well as
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frequency of follow-up and cost effectiveness. When available, information from studies on cost is considered;
however, review of data on efficacy and outcomEes constitutes the primary basis for preparing recommendations
in this guideline. T
In analyzing the data and developing recommendations and supporting text, the writing committee uses
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evidence-based methodologies developed by the Task Force (1). The Class of Recommendation (COR) is an
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estimate of the size of the treatment effect, with consideration given to risks versus benefits, as well as evidence
and/or agreement that a givenC treatment or procedure is or is not useful/effective or in some situations may cause
harm. The Level of Evidence (LOE) is an estimate of the certainty or precision of the treatment effect. The
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writing committee reviews and ranks evidence supporting each recommendation, with the weight of evidence
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ranked as LOE A, B, or C, according to specific definitions. The schema for the COR and LOE is summarized
in Table 1, which also provides suggested phrases for writing recommendations within each COR. Studies are
identified as observational, retrospective, prospective, or randomized, as appropriate. For certain conditions for
which inadequate data are available, recommendations are based on expert consensus and clinical experience
and are ranked as LOE C. When recommendations at LOE C are supported by historical clinical data,
appropriate references (including clinical reviews) are cited if available. For issues with sparse available data, a
survey of current practice among the clinician members of the writing committee is the basis for LOE C
recommendations and no references are cited.
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A new addition to this methodology is separation of the Class III recommendations to delineate whether
the recommendation is determined to be of “no benefit” or is associated with “harm” to the patient. In addition,
in view of the increasing number of comparative effectiveness studies, comparator verbs and suggested phrases
for writing recommendations for the comparative effectiveness of one treatment or strategy versus another are
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included for COR I and IIa, LOE A or B only.
In view of the advances in medical therapy across the spectrum of cardiovascular disPeases, the Task
Force has designated the term guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) to represent opItimal medical therapy
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as defined by ACC/AHA guideline (primarily Class I)-recommended therapies. This new term, GDMT, is used
herein and throughout subsequent guidelines. C
Because the ACC/AHA practice guidelines address patient populations (and clinicians) residing in
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North America, drugs that are not currently available in North America are discussed in the text without a
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specific COR. For studies performed in large numbers of subjects outside North America, each writing
committee reviews the potential impact of different practice patterns and patient populations on the treatment
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effect and relevance to the ACC/AHA target population to determine whether the findings should inform a
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specific recommendation.
The ACC/AHA practice guidelines are intended to Massist clinicians in clinical decision making by
describing a range of generally acceptable approaches to the diagnosis, management, and prevention of specific

diseases or conditions. The guidelines attempt to define practices that meet the needs of most patients in most
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circumstances. The ultimate judgment about care of a particular patient must be made by the clinician and
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patient in light of all the circumstances presented by that patient. As a result, situations may arise in which
deviations from these guidelines may be apTpropriate. Clinical decision making should involve consideration of
the quality and availability of expertise in the area where care is provided. When these guidelines are used as the
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basis for regulatory or payer decisions, the goal should be improvement in quality of care. The Task Force
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recognizes that situations arise in which additional data are needed to inform patient care more effectively; these
areas are identified within eacCh respective guideline when appropriate.
Prescribed courses of treatment in accordance with these recommendations are effective only if
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followed. Because lack of patient understanding and adherence may adversely affect outcomes, clinicians
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should make every effort to engage the patient’s active participation in prescribed medical regimens and
lifestyles. In addition, patients should be informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a particular treatment
and should be involved in shared decision making whenever feasible, particularly for COR IIa and IIb, for
which the benefit-to-risk ratio may be lower.
The Task Force makes every effort to avoid actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that may
arise as a result of relationships with industry and other entities (RWI) among the members of the writing
committee. All writing committee members and peer reviewers of the guideline are required to disclose all
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current healthcare-related relationships, including those existing 12 months before initiation of the writing
effort.
In December 2009, the ACC and AHA implemented a new RWI policy that requires the writing
committee chair plus a minimum of 50% of the writing committee to have no relevant RWI (Appendix 1
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includes the ACC/AHA definition of relevance). The Task Force and all writing committee members review
their respective RWI disclosures during each conference call and/or meeting of the writing coPmmittee, and
members provide updates to their RWI as changes occur. All guideline recommendations Irequire a confidential
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vote by the writing committee and require approval by a consensus of the voting members. Authors’ and peer
reviewers’ RWI pertinent to this guideline are disclosed in Appendixes 1 and 2. MCembers may not draft or vote
on any recommendations pertaining to their RWI. Members who recused themselves from voting are indicated
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in the list of writing committee members with specific section recusals noted in Appendix 1. In addition, to
ensure complete transparency, writing committee members’ comprehensiUve disclosure information(cid:190) including
RWI not pertinent to this document(cid:190) is available as an online suppleNment at
http://jaccjacc.cardiosource.com/DataSupp/2014 VHD Guideline Comprehensive RWI.pdf.
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Comprehensive disclosure information for the Task Force is also available online at
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http://www.cardiosource.org/en/ACC/About-ACC/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Guidelines-and-Documents-Task-
Forces.aspx. The ACC and AHA exclusively sponsor the work of the writing committee without commercial

support. Writing committee members volunteered thDeir time for this activity. Guidelines are official policy of
both the ACC and AHA.
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In an effort to maintain relevance at the point of care for clinicians, the Task Force continues to oversee
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an ongoing process improvement initiative. As a result, several changes to these guidelines will be apparent,
including limited narrative text, a focus on summary and evidence tables (with references linked to abstracts in
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PubMed), and more liberal use of summary recommendation tables (with references that support LOE) to serve
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as a quick reference.
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In April 2011, the Institute of Medicine released 2 reports: Finding What Works in Health Care:
Standards for Systematic Reviews and Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust (2, 3). It is noteworthy that
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the Institute of Medicine cited ACC/AHA practice guidelines as being compliant with many of the proposed
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standards. A thorough review of these reports and of our current methodology is under way, with further
enhancements anticipated.
The recommendations in this guideline are considered current until they are superseded by a focused
update, the full-text guideline is revised, or until a published addendum declares it out of date and no longer
official ACC/AHA policy.

Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA
Chair, ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines

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Table 1. Applying Classification of Recommendations and Level of Evidence T
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A recommendation with LeCvel of Evidence B or C does not imply that the recommendation is weak. Many important
clinical questions addressed in the guidelines do not lend themselves to clinical trials. Although randomized trials are
unavailable, there mayA be a very clear clinical consensus that a particular test or therapy is useful or effective.

*Data available from clinical trials or registries about the usefulness/efficacy in different subpopulations, such as sex, age,
history of diabetes mellitus, history of prior myocardial infarction, history of heart failure, and prior aspirin use.
†For comparative-effectiveness recommendations (Class I and IIa; Level of Evidence A and B only), studies that support
the use of comparator verbs should involve direct comparisons of the treatments or strategies being evaluated.
1. Introduction
1.1. Methodology and Evidence Review
The recommendations listed in this document are, whenever possible, evidence based. An extensive review was
conducted on literature published through November 2012, and other selected references through October 2013
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