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    Serious Adverse Event

    Adverse event resulting in death, life-threat, hospitalization, persistent disability, or congenital anomaly.

    Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed May 5, 2026

    Definition

    An SAE per ISO 14155 is any AE that led to death; serious deterioration in health resulting in life-threatening illness or injury, permanent impairment, in-patient hospitalization, or medical/surgical intervention; or fetal distress or congenital anomaly.

    What this means in practice

    Sponsors must report SAEs and SADEs to regulators and IRBs/ECs within defined timeframes (often 7 or 15 days depending on jurisdiction and seriousness).

    Cross-references

    Part of

    A larger framework or document this term belongs to.

    Primary references

    3 sources
    Link health: 3 verified· last checked 2026-05-09
    ISO·1FDA·1NIH·1
    1. 1
      ISO 14155:2020
      Verified
      ISOiso.org
    2. 2
      FDA - Clinical Trials and Human Subject Protection
      Verified
      FDAfda.gov
    3. 3
      ClinicalTrials.gov
      Verified
      NIHclinicaltrials.gov

    Inline markers like [1] jump to the matching reference above.