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Review
. 2015 Oct;27(5):548-54.
doi: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000260.

The pediatric heart network: meeting the challenges to multicenter studies in pediatric heart disease

Kristin M Burns  1 , Victoria L Pemberton, Gail D Pearson
Affiliations
Review

The pediatric heart network: meeting the challenges to multicenter studies in pediatric heart disease

Kristin M Burns et al. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Because of the relatively small numbers of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease cared for in any individual center, there is a significant need for multicenter clinical studies to validate new medical or surgical therapies. The Pediatric Heart Network (PHN), with 15 years of experience in multicenter clinical research, has tackled numerous challenges when conducting multicenter studies.

Recent findings: This review describes the challenges encountered and the strategies employed to conduct high-quality, collaborative research in pediatric cardiovascular disease.

Summary: Sharing lessons learned from the PHN can provide guidance to investigators interested in conducting pediatric multicenter studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: no disclosures or conflicts of interest. This article has not been published in its current form or similar form, has not been accepted for publication elsewhere, and is not under consideration by another publication.

Conflicts of interest

No disclosures or conflicts of interest. The comments expressed here are those of the authors, and do not reflect official positions of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or NIH.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Pediatric Heart Network Centers. This figure illustrates the distribution of PHN centers throughout North America, including nine main centers, numerous auxiliary sites, a data coordinating center, and the NHLBI. Original figure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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