A Review of the Key Clinical Trials of 2015: Results and Implications.
BACKGROUND
Multiple significant, potentially practice changing clinical trials in cardiology have been conducted and subsequently presented throughout the past year.


METHODS
In this paper, the authors have reviewed and contextualized significant cardiovascular clinical trials presented at major international conferences of 2015 including American College of Cardiology, European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, American Diabetes Association, European Society of Cardiology, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, Heart Rhythm Congress, and the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.


RESULTS
The authors describe new trial data for heart failure (including eplerenone, finerenone, patiromer, sacubitril/valsartan, the beta 3 agonist mirabegron, sitagliptin, empagliflozin, alginate-hydrogel LV epicardial implant), anticoagulation (idarucizumab and andexanet alfa reversal agents, adherence programmes, practice in ablation), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (long-term data, valve-in-valve use, the TriGuard embolic deflecting device), patent foramen ovale closure, cardiovascular prevention (PCSK9 inhibitors, hypertension treatment) and antiplatelets strategies (extended duration therapy with clopidogrel or ticagrelor). Trial data are also described for contemporary technologies including the Biofreedom polymer-free drug coated stent, bioabsorbable stents, PCI strategies, left main treatment, atrial fibrillation ablation techniques, leadless pacemakers and the role of coronary computed tomographic angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
This paper summarizes and contextualizes multiple pertinent 2015 clinical trials and will be of interest to both clinicians and cardiology researchers.
Craigavon Cardiac Centre, Craigavon Hospital, Southern Trust, Craigavon, BT63 5QQ, Northern Ireland, UK.
Claire
C
McCune
Craigavon Cardiac Centre, Craigavon Hospital, Southern Trust, Craigavon, BT63 5QQ, Northern Ireland, UK.
Peter
P
McKavanagh
Craigavon Cardiac Centre, Craigavon Hospital, Southern Trust, Craigavon, BT63 5QQ, Northern Ireland, UK. ian.menown@southerntrust.hscni.net.
Ian B A
IB
Menown
Acute coronary syndrome; Anticoagulation; Antiplatelet; Atrial fibrillation; Bioabsorbable polymer; Coronary prevention; Electrophysiology; Heart failure; Myocardial infarction; Pacemaker