Electrical surrogate for detection of severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Background Early diagnosis and therapy improves outcomes in heart failure with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF 35% to have >= 1 conventional ECG abnormality. In the subset without conventional ECG abnormalities, >= 4 abnormal ECG markers from the expanded panel were found in 12% vs. 1% of patients with LVEF 35%, respectively. In the validation population (n = 9,742), 44% with LVEF 35% had >= 1 conventional ECG abnormality. In patients without conventional ECG abnormalities (n = 7,601), 40% with LVEF 35% had >= 4 abnormal ECG markers from the expanded panel. Each additional abnormal ECG marker from the expanded panel (range 0 to >= 4) more than doubled the odds of LVEFPeer reviewe

Genomic sequencing in clinical trials

Human genome sequencing is the process by which the exact order of nucleic acid base pairs in the 24 human chromosomes is determined. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, genomic sequencing is rapidly becoming a major part of our translational research efforts to understand and improve human health and disease. This article reviews the current and future directions of clinical research with respect to genomic sequencing, a technology that is just beginning to find its way into clinical trials both nationally and worldwide. We highlight the currently available types of genomic sequencing platforms, outline the advantages and disadvantages of each, and compare first- and next-generation techniques with respect to capabilities, quality, and cost. We describe the current geographical distributions and types of disease conditions in which these technologies are used, and how next-generation sequencing is strategically being incorporated into new and existing studies. Lastly, recent major breakthroughs and the ongoing challenges of using genomic sequencing in clinical research are discussed