Future Directions for Cardiovascular Disease Comparative Effectiveness Research Report of a Workshop Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) aims to provide decision makers with the evidence needed to evaluate the benefits and harms of alternative clinical management strategies. CER has become a national priority, with considerable new research funding allocated. Cardiovascular disease is a priority area for CER. This workshop report provides an overview of CER methods, with an emphasis on practical clinical trials and observational treatment comparisons. The report also details recommendations to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for a new framework for evidence development to foster cardiovascular CER, and specific studies to address 8 clinical issues identified by the Institute of Medicine as high priorities for cardiovascular CER

American Society of Echocardiography Cardiovascular Technology and Research Summit : a roadmap for 2020

To realize the great potential of ultrasound for improving patient outcomes and offering novel therapy, closer partnerships among scientists, engineers, and those involved with research funding are needed. Improvements in technology, developed with these partnerships, will be necessary to advance 3D echocardiography, deformation imaging, and the quantitative assessment of VHD. Stepwise research studies will advance the development of sonothrombolysis and drug and gene delivery. The development of intelligent software offers the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of echocardiographic examinations.With demonstration of the value, reproducibility, and feasibility of quantitative echocardiographic biomarkers, users can then make the strong argument that echocardiography is a superior technology as a research tool for clinical trials in which large numbers of subjects must be imaged efficiently, cost-effectively, and safely. The leadership of the ASE will discuss the recommendations put forth in this document and formulate an action plan. Research remains an important mission of ASE, and the society must find a way to continue to expand and advance this endeavor to meet the needs of our patients