World Heart Day 2025: the Heart Team beyond the Cathlab
Collaboration and respect – together we can do more
September 29th marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of World Heart Day by the World Heart Federation. This day is dedicated to focusing international attention on cardiovascular disease (CVD), which remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide [1,2]. Today, we highlight the women and men who work tirelessly to care for patients with cardiovascular disease. In interventional cardiology, the close collaboration of dedicated professionals, both inside and outside the cathlab, allows the Heart Team to deliver its vital work.
A collegial approach
In a sense, there are two Heart Teams. The first reviews each patient carefully, bringing together specialists - cardiologists, surgeons, imaging specialists, geriatricians, nurses, and others - to decide on the best treatment. The second is the team in the cathlab or operating theatre – interventionalists/surgeons, nurses, imaging specialists, and allied health professionals - who ensure procedural success and the patient’s well-being before, during and after the intervention.
The history of the Heart Team: PCI or CABG? TAVI or SAVR?
While the original idea of a team approach to medical decision making can be traced to other specialties, the acronyms above marked the advent of the Heart Team for interventional cardiologists.
An editorial published in EuroIntervention several years ago [3] traced the history of the Heart Team - from the first discussions in the early days of coronary angioplasty, to efforts by interventional cardiologists and surgeons to address the role of PCI as an alternative to CABG. The real breakthrough came with the rise of randomized trials, particularly SYNTAX, which included all-comers with complex coronary artery disease, supported by a dedicated registry. Following publication of the one-year SYNTAX results, the ESC/EACTS guidelines provided a Class I Level C recommendation in support of the Heart Team for the first time [4].
As clinical evidence gathered, the Heart Team established its place in everyday discussions and helped ground our practice. The scope and impact of team working was then truly realised with the dawn of transcatheter valve interventions and expanding possibilities for the treatment of elderly frail patients and those with increasingly complex comorbidities using a myriad of different approaches [5].
“Making every beat count”
Today we benefit from remarkable evolution in the practice of cardiology and the management of cardiovascular disease with the widespread acceptance of less-invasive techniques. While this evolution has been driven by incredible advances in research and technology, the essential element remains the individuals who master these techniques and bring them to the patient – nurses, lab technicians, interventionists/surgeons, allied health professionals and other specialists – all working together and committed to providing safe and effective patient-centred care.
Treating the patient as a whole
The Heart Team’s role is critical here as the eyes, ears and mindfulness of our joint efforts. Without combined teamwork, how else can we fully understand our patient’s needs, participate in the decision-making process and establish the protocols that lead to appropriately chosen interventions and the very best clinical outcomes?
Like a finely tuned instrument, our colleagues join us in a carefully balanced and experienced orchestra where each plays their part to perfection and in harmony – for the benefit of each other, and, above all, for our patients.
A shared commitment
Open dialogue and the sharing of knowledge and experience have always been central to progress in the field of interventional cardiology and a key driving philosophy of PCR since its creation. The best care requires the work of many individuals, exemplified by the PCR mantra: “together we can do more” - never alone, but always supported and advanced by our work as a team. At PCR, this mindset is also central in the creation of our various educational courses, webinars and seminars, where each individual discipline that plays a significant role in the Heart Team is welcomed with attention and respect.
Together we can do more
The strength of the Heart Team lies in collaboration - creating outcomes far greater than any individual could achieve alone. As we face the evolving challenges of cardiovascular disease and strive to make ‘every beat count’, it is this spirit of teamwork in the cath lab, operating theatre and beyond that drives progress. The tireless dedication of our Heart Teams and shared commitment to working together remain at the heart of better care for every patient.
Bernard Prendergast,
PCR Co-Chair
References
- https://world-heart-federation.org/
- https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/research/heart-statistics/bhf-cvd-statistics-global-factsheet.pdf
- Serruys PW. The Heart Team - perpetually mutating. EuroIntervention. 2016 Aug 20;12(6):693. doi: 10.4244/EIJV12I6A111. PMID: 27542778.
- Wijns W, Kolh P, Danchin N, et al. Task Force on Myocardial Revascularization of the ESC and EACTS, in collaboration with EAPCI. Guidelines on myocardial revascularization. Eur Heart J. 2010 Oct;31(20):2501-55. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehq277. Epub 2010 Aug 29. PMID: 20802248.
- Holmes DR Jr, Greason KL, Brown DL, Mack MJ. The Heart Team: Where did it Come from and Where is it Going. Structural Heart. 2020;4(1):13-5.
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