Study Shows Combination Therapy May Improve Survival in Severe Heart Disease

A new study has demonstrated that combining aortic valve replacement with targeted drug therapy significantly improves survival in patients suffering from both aortic stenosis and cardiac amyloidosis-two serious heart conditions common in the elderly. The findings are published in the European Heart Journal.

Aortic stenosis is a condition in which the heart valve that directs blood from the left ventricle into the bloodstream becomes narrowed, reducing blood flow. Cardiac amyloidosis, on the other hand, involves the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the heart muscle, impairing its function. Both diseases frequently affect older adults and often co-exist, compounding the risk of heart failure and death. Traditionally, treatment has focused on valve replacement, while the amyloidosis component has largely gone unaddressed.

To explore the benefits of a combined treatment approach, the research team analyzed data from 226 patients across ten countries diagnosed with both conditions.

The study found that patients who underwent aortic valve replacement and received the amyloidosis-specific drug tafamidis had a significantly lower risk of death compared to those who received only one form of treatment or none. “Our results even show that patients with both conditions who received valve replacement and specific amyloidosis therapy had similar long-term survival rates to people with aortic stenosis without amyloidosis,” emphasized study leader Christian Nitsche.

Both conditions compromise the heart’s pumping ability and, if untreated, can be fatal. The study reinforces the importance of addressing both the mechanical and molecular aspects of these diseases. However, a key challenge remains: around 10% of patients with aortic stenosis also have cardiac amyloidosis, yet this often goes undiagnosed. “Our findings also suggest that patients with severe aortic valve stenosis should be screened for amyloidosis so that we can offer them targeted life-prolonging treatment options,” Nitsche added.

This research paves the way for more personalized and effective care for aging patients with complex cardiac conditions.

Reference: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/ueber-uns/news/2025/news-in-may-2025/combination-therapy-can-prolong-life-in-severe-heart-disease/