Adaptive Trials in Cardiology: Some Considerations and Examples

Adaptive trials hold great promise to enhance the evidence base supporting medical interventions. In this review, we will describe the basic principles of an adaptive trial and the different types of adaptive trials, show examples of adaptive trials, and conclude with the advantages and challenges of different types of adaptive trials. While regulatory bodies have expressed a desire to see more adaptive trials, resistance in the community remains. We hope that this review helps to build greater acceptance of the concept of adaptive trial design.