A comparative study of a new wireless continuous cardiorespiratory monitor for the diagnosis and management of patients with congestive heart failure at home.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major and increasing chronic disease in Western society, with a high mortality, morbidity and cost for unplanned hospital admissions. Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring is required to detect Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR). We have tested a new wireless monitoring system and compared it with polysomnography (PSG) and respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) in six CHF patients with CSR in a sleep laboratory.

The use of a new continuous wireless cardiorespiratory telemonitoring system by elderly patients at home.

The diagnosis and management of increasing numbers of patients with chronic diseases in the community require new technologies and strategies of care. We have used a new wireless cardiorespiratory telemonitoring system to monitor 14 elderly patients with a variety of chronic diseases at home. The electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate and variability, and breathing were recorded on two separate occasions for 24 h.

A 24-week dose-titration study of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor imidapril in the treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension in the elderly.

This multicentre, randomized, double-blind study compared the anti-hypertensive efficacy and safety of oral once-daily imidapril 5-20 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5-50 mg in elderly patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. After 24 weeks of treatment, there was a significant reduction in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure from 102.

A pilot study of radiotelemetry for continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring of patients at home.

We have conducted a trial of a wireless device for continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring. Its performance, user acceptance and safety were assessed for monitoring in the patient's home. The study included 20 patients: six with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, six with chronic heart failure, seven with atrial fibrillation and palpitations, and one with a snoring problem.

Financial ties as part of informed consent to postmarketing research. Attitudes of American doctors and patients.

Postmarketing research, often called phase IV trials, is intended to familiarise doctors and patients with newly approved drugs. La Puma and colleagues, in Chicago, studied doctors' and patients' attitudes to whether doctors should receive payment for taking part in such research. We asked for commentaries on their findings from four ethical experts, who put the study in a British context, present the views of patients, and examine some methodological assumptions.