Research Center Overview

Cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to the Global Burden of Disease report, they have consistently ranked among the top three causes of death over the past decade.

Following ischemic heart disease, valvular heart diseases are among the most prevalent cardiovascular conditions, occurring either independently or alongside ischemic or congenital heart diseases.

In response to this growing concern, the Valvular Heart Disease Research Center was established in 2009 through the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of cardiovascular specialists.

The center is dedicated to investigating the diverse etiologies of valvular heart diseases, including rheumatic heart disease, degenerative conditions and infective endocarditis. If diagnosed late, these conditions can result in severe cardiopulmonary complications and irreversible damage to the heart.

Beyond disease classification and diagnostic approaches, the center also explores treatment modalities, particularly the impact of prosthetic valves and repair rings used in heart valve surgeries.

A key initiative involves building a comprehensive database of valvular heart disease cases at Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Institute, with plans to integrate data from other centers nationwide.

Affiliation

Heart Valve Disease Research Center, Shahid Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

Researchers