Geographic differences in heart failure trials

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Ferreira, JP (Author) FMUP; Girerd, N (Author) Other; Rossignol, P (Author) Other; Zannad, F (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Heart Failure

Vol. 17

Pages: 893-905

ISSN: 1388-9842

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

Scopus - 56 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-NYY

DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.326

Abstract (EN): Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are essential to develop advances in heart failure (HF). The need for increasing numbers of patients (without substantial cost increase) and generalization of results led to the disappearance of international boundaries in large RCTs. The significant geographic differences in patients' characteristics, outcomes, and, most importantly, treatment effect observed in HF trials have recently been highlighted. Whether the observed regional discrepancies in HF trials are due to trial-specific issues, patient heterogeneity, structural differences in countries, or a complex interaction between factors are the questions we propose to debate in this review. To do so, we will analyse and review data from HF trials conducted in different world regions, from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF), and acute heart failure (AHF). Finally, we will suggest objective and actionable measures in order to mitigate regional discrepancies in future trials, particularly in HF-PEF where prognostic modifying treatments are urgently needed and in which trials are more prone to selection bias, due to a larger patient heterogeneity. © 2015 The Authors European Journal of Heart Failure © 2015 European Society of Cardiology.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific