Do animal models have clinical value?

This article examines the efficacy of studying antiarrhythmic and antifibrillatory interventions using animal models. The importance of identifying appropriate animal models and comparing results from these studies to human clinical trials is discussed. Specific studies will be cited, the advantages/disadvantages of each design (i.e., internal control analysis factors, reproducibility of results, anesthetized vs conscious models) will be presented, and their ability or inability to predict clinical outcomes will be discussed.