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Randomized control trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard in the hierarchy of evidence based medicine. Guidelines and recommendations for clinical practice are based on the strength of evidence in this hierarchical tree. This article looks at the weakness of RCTs and variance between large pooled observational data and trial results for some of the historical trials in coronary artery disease. Observational studies can supplement data from resource intensive RCTs. Guidelines for reporting and analysis however need to be rigorous. It further discusses alternate systems of hierarchies as basis for recommendations.

Original publication

DOI

10.1586/14779072.2016.1125291

Type

Journal article

Journal

Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther

Publication Date

2016

Volume

14

Pages

155 - 162

Keywords

Randomized control trials, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary artery disease, observational studies, percutaneous intervention, Coronary Artery Disease, Evidence-Based Medicine, Humans, Observational Studies as Topic, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic