Using big data to improve cardiovascular care

Using Big Data to Conduct Innovative Cardiovascular Clinical Trials: The Community Heart Outcomes Improvement and Cholesterol Education Study (CHOICES)

Not applicable Interventional Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences · NCT04067297

This study is testing whether using big data can help doctors better manage cholesterol levels in people aged 40 to 75 in Ontario to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment500000 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT04067297 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to enhance the management of cardiovascular diseases by utilizing big data to conduct a pragmatic, cluster randomized trial. It focuses on communities in Ontario with high rates of cardiovascular events and implements a multicomponent intervention strategy to improve lipid management among individuals aged 40 to 75. By leveraging routinely collected health information, the study seeks to increase the use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The approach addresses the limitations of traditional clinical trials by applying real-world data to measure outcomes effectively.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 40 to 75 living in communities with higher than average cardiovascular disease incidence rates.

Not a fit: Patients with established cardiovascular disease will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes in high-risk populations through improved lipid management.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing big data approaches have shown promise in improving health outcomes, suggesting that this methodology could be effective in this context as well.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Community with CVD incidence rates higher than the Ontario provincial average
* Community with a population size greater than 5,000 40 to 75 year olds
* Community with at least 1,000 66 to 75 year olds
* Community with 20 to 130 active and practicing family physicians

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with established CVD within each community

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cardiovascular DiseasesCardiovascular Risk FactorDyslipidemiasPrimary PreventionCardiovascular diseaseLipidsStatinsLipid management
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.