Blood biomarkers in left-sided valvular heart disease

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a common condition that poses several challenges from the standpoints of diagnosis and therapeutic management. While several studies have explored the role of blood biomarkers in assessing the severity and risk of progression of VHD, as well as in evaluating related cardiac damage and predicting the occurrence of adverse events, blood biomarkers are generally not considered criteria to trigger valve intervention in the latest European and American guidelines for VHD management. This review article provides an up-to-date overview of the utility of blood biomarkers to (i) assess the presence, severity, and progression of left-sided VHD; (ii) establish the presence and extent of cardiovascular damage; (iii) predict clinical outcomes before and after valve interventions; and (iv) identify patients at risk for early structural valve deterioration, valve thrombosis, and paravalvular leak.