Gender Differences in Valvular Heart Disease

Several gender differences had been suggested across the broad spectrum of valvular heart disease (VHD) including the pathophysiology, diagnosis, grading, progression of the disease, treatment, the best timing for intervention, and outcomes. Nonetheless, important knowledge gaps still exist regarding gender differences in VHD. For example, the response to volume and pressure overload in women versus men with VHD has been recently a matter of debate as it can trigger important disparities in disease recognition, treatment, and therefore prognosis.

With this Special Issue, we seek to provide an overview of the latest advances in gender differences in VHD.

This Special Issue will be focused on the role of multimodality imaging assessment (including 2D and 3D echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography, non-invasive myocardial work assessment, computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, nuclear imaging, and fusion imaging) and imaging markers for risk stratification and outcome prediction in men and women with VHD. Original manuscripts, Brief Communications, Case Reports, Reviews, and Meta-Analyses on gender differences in VHD will be considered for publication.