The cluster-randomized trial

Within the framework of a clinical trial, one is sometimes brought to randomize groups of subjects rather than the subjects themselves. This type of experimental design has methodological consequences of importance (in particular biostatistical consequences) and can limit the extrapolation of the results. A cluster randomized trial is thus justified only if the context or the question of interest imposes it and biostatistical issues have then to be handled in a rigorous way.     

Clinical trial update II

The second Clinical Trial Update session was chaired by J.J. Bax (Leiden, the Netherlands) and J. Brugada Terradellas (Barcelona, SpRole). In particular, four trials provided interesting information.     

Clinical trial update I

The first Clinical Trial Update in Vienna was chaired by M. Simoons (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and J. Marco (Monaco Cedex, Monaco). In this session, the latest follow-up data were presented on two subjects: (1) The comparison between drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal stents (BMS) and (2) Investigations into different antithrombotic therapies in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).