Clinical Trial Registration

Abstract

We, the Editors and the Scientific Publishing Committee of the American Heart Association journals, support the principles enunciated in the editorial “Clinical Trial Registration: A Statement From the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.” We look forward to working together in addressing the details of their implementation. Donald Heistad MD Editor-in-Chief, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Joseph Loscalzo MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief, Circulation Eduardo Marban MD, PhD Editor, Circulation Research John E. Hall PhD Editor-in-Chief, Hypertension Vladimir Hachinski MD Editor-in-Chief, Stroke Ivor J. Benjamin MD, FAHA Chair, American Heart Association Scientific Publishing Committee Altruism and trust lie at the heart of research on human subjects. Altruistic individuals volunteer for research because they trust that their participation will contribute to improved health for others and that researchers will minimize risks to participants. In return for the altruism and trust that make clinical research possible, the research enterprise has an obligation to conduct research ethically and to report it honestly. Honest reporting begins with revealing the existence of all clinical studies, even those that reflect unfavorably on a research sponsor’s product. Unfortunately, selective reporting of trials does occur, and it distorts the body of evidence available for clinical decision-making. …