Early detection of signs of heart failure can allow fast therapeutic intervention, potentially improving a patient's prognosis and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations. Implantable monitoring devices have been suggested as useful tools in detecting early changes in cardiac parameters, but clinical trials aimed at studying their efficacy and safety have unique problems. In this Review, Abraham et al. identify the major hurdles in trials of implantable monitoring devices, and discuss the approaches used to overcome the challenges arising during trial design.
- William T. Abraham
- Wendy G. Stough
- Faiez Zannad
