Evaluation of the sensitivity of a new fully implantable telemetry device and the importance of simultaneously measuring cardiac output and left ventricular pressure.

Introduction: The absence of drug-induced changes in heart rate (HR), aortic pressure (AOP) and ECG, the minimum endpoints suggested in ICH S7A, does not necessarily indicate the absence of cardiovascular (CV) pharmacodynamic activity. This potential pitfall can be avoided by prospectively incorporating "follow-up" endpoints in initial evaluations made possible by the advent of new telemetry implants capable of also measuring changes in cardiac output (CO) and left ventricular pressure (LVP). The purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the sensitivity of a new, fully implantable telemetry device, and (2) to highlight the importance of the device to simultaneously measure cardiac output and left ventricular pressure in order to adequately evaluate the full potential for a drug to impact global cardiovascular function.