Inclusivity in randomised clinical trials: myth or reality?

In this issue of Heart, Castelijns et al aimed to apply the inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Cardiovascular Outcomes for People Using Anticoagulation Strategies, Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management and Avoidance trials, Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy to patients included in the Utrecht Cardiovascular Cohort-Second Manifestations of Arterial Disease. The study aims to evaluate the applicability in the real world of randomised clinical trials (RCT) on antithrombotic treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). According to this analysis, trial-based guideline recommendations largely apply to real-world patients, especially for PAD. They also demonstrated how in a cohort of patients with established CVD, long-term risk of recurrent cardiovascular events, major bleeding and all-cause death are mostly similar for eligible...
Source: Heart - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research