ALTERNATIVES TO MEGA-TRIALS IN CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

Authors
HAMPTON JR
Citation
Jr. Hampton, ALTERNATIVES TO MEGA-TRIALS IN CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE, Cardiovascular drugs and therapy, 10(6), 1997, pp. 759-765
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy","Cardiac & Cardiovascular System
Journal title
Cardiovascular drugs and therapy → ACNP
ISSN journal
09203206
Volume
10
Issue
6
Year of publication
1997
Pages
759 - 765
Database
ISI
SICI code
0920-3206(1997)10:6<759:ATMIC>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
This article considers the dominant role of trials involving thousands of patients-the mega-trials-in cardiovascular disease. Problems with large trials mean that alternative strategies must be developed to aid the introduction of new drugs. The limitations of meta-analysis, and of trials with combined and surrogate endpoints are discussed. Properl y organized trials designed to establish whether or not two treatments have an equivalent effect seem to offer the best alternative to mega- trials.