Reproducibility of Published Randomized Controlled Trial Results in Cardiovascular Surgery: Protocol for a Meta-Epidemiological Umbrella Review

Background

Reproducible study findings are those that are shown to be identical or nearly identical when an original study is repeated using similar methods. Findings from many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in cardiovascular surgery have not been reproduced or are small, statistically fragile, and potentially influenced by funding source. They also demonstrate variable end point selection and protocol adherence, all of which may influence reproducibility of their reported results.