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Critical Appraisal of the 2018 ACC Scientific Sessions Late-Breaking Trials From a Statistician's Perspective

Stuart J Pocock1, Tim J Collier1

  • 1Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|May 14, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This review critically appraises 7 key late-breaking cardiovascular trials from the 2018 American College of Cardiology sessions. It offers balanced insights into findings, limitations, and potential "positive spin" for better clinical trial interpretation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Trials
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Late-breaking clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences represent significant advancements.
  • Critical appraisal of these trials is essential for accurate interpretation and application in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a constructive critical appraisal of 7 key late-breaking cardiovascular trials from the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in March 2018.
  • To document and interpret main findings, identify potential "positive spin," and discuss limitations of each study.
  • To offer general insights for critiquing clinical trial presentations and publications.

Main Methods:

  • Critical appraisal of 7 selected late-breaking clinical trials.
  • Analysis focused on main findings, study limitations, and interpretation of results.
  • Comparative review of studies including ODYSSEY OUTCOMES, VEST, SECURE-PCI, TREAT, POISE, SMART-DATE, and CVD-REAL 2.

Main Results:

  • Appraisal of ODYSSEY OUTCOMES, VEST, SECURE-PCI, TREAT, POISE, SMART-DATE, and CVD-REAL 2 trials.
  • Identification of key findings and limitations for each study.
  • Discussion on the nuances of interpreting trial results and potential biases.

Conclusions:

  • The critical appraisal provides a balanced perspective on significant cardiovascular trials.
  • Understanding trial limitations and potential biases is crucial for evidence-based cardiology.
  • The review offers valuable guidance for interpreting future clinical trial data.

Keywords:
clinical trialsconference presentationscritical appraisal

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