RCT
Pronunciation: are-see-tee
Also written as: RCT — randomized controlled trial
Randomized controlled trial, the gold standard study design for evaluating cardiovascular interventions.
Full Definition
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a type of clinical study where participants are randomly allocated to receive either the intervention being tested or a control treatment (placebo or standard care). In cardiovascular research, RCTs provide the highest level of evidence for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new treatments, devices, or interventions. The randomization process helps minimize bias and ensures that known and unknown confounding variables are equally distributed between treatment groups. RCTs in cardiology often require large sample sizes and extended follow-up periods due to the nature of cardiovascular endpoints.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'randomized controlled trial' at first mention, then abbreviate as RCT.
In Context
- "This multicenter RCT enrolled 10,000 patients with acute coronary syndromes." — Study design description
- "The RCT was designed with 90% power to detect a 20% relative risk reduction." — Statistical methods