Cardiovascular Final Report - Spring 2021 Cycle 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death and the highest direct healthcare expenditure in the United States. Considering the effect of cardiovascular disease (CVD), measures that assess clinical care performance and patient outcomes are critical to reducing its negative impact. The National Quality Forum’s (NQF) portfolio focuses on various conditions, including but not limited to topics such as coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic vascular disease (IVD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and valvular heart disease. During the spring 2021 measure evaluation cycle, the Cardiovascular Standing Committee evaluated two new measures undergoing review against NQF’s standard evaluation criteria. The reviewed measures focused on 30-day Risk Standardized Morbidity and Mortality Composite following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Appropriate Treatment for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients in the Emergency Department (ED). The Standing Committee recommended both measures for endorsement, and the Consensus Standards Approval Committee (CSAC) upheld the Standing Committee’s recommendation to endorse both measures.