Data Sources and Methodology

Independent Information

The HIP is not affiliated with or endorsed by CMS, NIH, NLM, FDA, the U.S. Census Bureau, or the U.S. government. Our selection, organization, and interpretation of information are our responsibility. ClinicalTrials.gov is a U.S. government database; The HIP does not claim ownership of its underlying records.

ClinicalTrials.gov

Study records come from ClinicalTrials.gov, where sponsors and study teams submit information. We import selected fields from a downloaded registry export, including study identifiers, titles, summaries, eligibility, sponsors, interventions, outcomes, dates, and locations. The original study link lets you check the registry record.

How We Adapt Study Records

We filter studies by registry status and use AI-assisted assessment to select studies relevant to heart valve care, categorize them by valve, and assign relevance scores. The import considers recruiting, not yet recruiting, enrolling by invitation, available, active but not recruiting, and unknown statuses. Additional relevance and date checks can exclude studies. Search and map filters further limit what you see. These categories and relevance scores are the HIP assessments.

We simplify registry status labels: recruiting, enrolling by invitation, and available records are grouped as recruiting; not yet recruiting becomes upcoming; active but not recruiting stays separate. Completed, terminated, suspended, and withdrawn records are grouped as closed when present; unrecognized or missing statuses become unknown. A recruiting label does not mean everyone can enroll. Confirm eligibility and availability with the study team.

We match study locations to center listings using names, addresses, matching rules, and AI assistance where needed. We standardize presentation, group related information, and add map coordinates. Some locations cannot be matched or mapped, so the centers shown may be only part of a study’s locations. These links and map positions are additions by the HIP to the registry data.

Dates and Updates

The registry entry updated date, when shown, is the study’s Last Update Posted date in our imported record. It is not the date the HIP retrieved the record or a separate ClinicalTrials.gov data-processing timestamp. We do not currently display that processing timestamp. Our copy may lag behind the registry, and refreshing the HIP does not necessarily mean the source export has been refreshed. Check the original study record and contact the study team for current details.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Hospital names, addresses, contact information, and Medicare inpatient procedure data come from CMS Hospital General Information and Medicare Inpatient Hospitals provider and provider/service datasets. We use selected heart valve diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) to identify centers and summarize reported procedure volumes. These figures reflect the Medicare population, reporting period, and disclosure limits of the source; they are not all-patient totals or a measure of care quality. Center descriptions, matching, and additional research are additions by the HIP.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA)

Device approval records come from the FDA’s Premarket Approval data through openFDA. We select heart valve product codes and supplement filing information with research about devices and manufacturers. A device listing does not establish that it is suitable for you. Verify regulatory details with the FDA and discuss treatment options with your care team.

Census and Mapbox

We use the U.S. Census Bureau geocoder, with Mapbox as a fallback, to locate center addresses. Maps use Mapbox and its credited data providers, including OpenStreetMap. Pins are approximate locations, not verified entrances or directions. Map credits appear on each map.

Web research and AI assistance

We use Exa to find web sources, including hospital, manufacturer, and research websites. AI helps extract and summarize information, assess relevance, and match records. This process may introduce errors or omissions. Do not assume the information has been independently verified. Source websites retain their applicable rights. Follow original source links where provided and confirm details with the provider or study team before making care decisions.