Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

Primary Outcome Assessment in a Pig Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Published on: October 14, 2016
Imaging surrogate end points in heart failure trials.
Luca Bettari1, Salvador Borges-Neto
1Division of Cardiology, Duke Clinical Research Institute, 2400 Pratt Street, Durham, NC 27705, USA. luca_bettari@yahoo.it
Recent heart failure (HF) trials show no significant treatment improvements, prompting a reevaluation of research methods. Utilizing imaging biomarkers as surrogate end points could reduce trial costs and improve therapy development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology and Clinical Trials
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Recent heart failure (HF) trials, despite significant investment and design, have failed to demonstrate meaningful treatment efficacy.
- This lack of progress necessitates a critical review of current research methodologies in HF clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the shortcomings in HF trial outcomes by reassessing research methodology.
- To explore the potential of surrogate end points, specifically imaging biomarkers, to improve trial efficiency and reduce costs.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent HF trial outcomes and methodological challenges.
- Investigation into the role and reliability of imaging biomarkers as surrogate end points.
Main Results:
- Current trial designs and end-point selection present significant challenges to demonstrating treatment efficacy.
- Imaging biomarkers show promise as reliable surrogate end points for HF clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- A reassessment of research methodology, particularly end-point selection, is crucial for advancing HF therapies.
- The integration of imaging biomarkers as surrogate end points offers a pathway to more efficient and cost-effective clinical trial designs for heart failure treatments.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
