RESEARCH IN THE CARDIAC INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

Successful clinical research entails the application of inductive reasoning and the scientific method to the investigation of problems in patient care. Testing appropriately formulated hypotheses reveals new principles from which we derive new therapeutic options. The cardiac intensive care unit challenges us to create an environment where basic tenets can be questioned without disturbing the orderly conduct of clinical care. We review the components of the scientific method and types of clinical investigations that are most pertinent to the cardiac intensive care unit. The advantages and disadvantages of prospective, retrospective, cross sectional and case control studies are reviewed. The conduct of clinical trials is reviewed with reference to appropriate statistical analysis as well as the opportunities and contraints that accompany intensive care-based research.