Collected data and outcomes
The following patient data were collected: demographics, comorbidity,
cardiology follow-up (defined as at least one visit to an outpatient
cardiovascular specialist), follow-up imaging studies (echocardiogram,
CT, and MRI as recommended by current guidelines), aortic diameter at
imaging (dilated aorta was defined as >40mm at the aortic
root or ascending aorta), the presence of other valvular pathologies,
and whether the patient underwent aortic or aortic valve surgery during
the study time period. CT and MRI studies were recorded based on if the
indication for the study was to evaluate the valve or aorta.
Cardiovascular specialist follow-up was defined as at least one
outpatient cardiology or cardiothoracic surgery visit following the
initial ECHO. Data collected only reflects what was captured in our
health system.
To characterize follow-up patterns, we compared patients who received
cardiovascular specialist follow-up to those who did not. In order to
characterize how patients were followed based on aortic and valvular
pathology, we also compared follow-up patterns between patients with
normal versus dilated aortic diameters, as well as between patients with
varying levels of aortic stenosis or regurgitation.