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. 2025 Apr 8;5(5):609–632. doi: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2025.01.017

Table 2.

Common Heart Valve Clinic Models and Suitability

Primary Care Provider Referral Teams Advantages Disadvantages Suitability
Model A: Cardiologists130 (determine whether to refer) Multidisciplinary Heart Teama
(decision-making)		 Comprehensive consideration; minimizing the risk of conflicts of interest Time-consuming; costly; substantial human resources Primary hospitals (referral to advance hospital)
Model B: Cardiologistsa,126 (determine where to refer)
  • A.

    Cardiac surgeon (decision-making)

  • B.

    Interventional cardiologist (decision-making)

  • C.

    Multidisciplinary heart team (decision-making/support)

 Provides a “fast track” for surgical interventions; preselection of patients for multidisciplinary discussions Disciplinary divisions; inequalities in care Primary hospitals (referral to advance hospital)
Model C: Cardiologists5,131 (determine whether to refer) Cardiac surgeon + interventional cardiologista
(decision-making)
Multidisciplinary heart team (support)		 Cardiac and interventional cardiologists work together to evaluate patients and make optimal intervention decisions Limited human resources; difficulty in departmental teamwork Heart center
a

Representatives play a central role in the patient care process.