biostudies-literatureLala ANHLBI Health Information CenterNHLBI NIH HHS1327-1337https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11844083biostudies-literatureUnknown118(6)<h4>Background</h4>There is a recognized lack of diversity among patients enrolled in cardiovascular interventional and surgical trials. Diverse patient representation in clinical trials is necessary to enhance generalizability of findings, which may lead to better outcomes across broader populations. The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) recently developed a plan of action to increase diversity among participating investigators and trial participants and is the focus of this review.<h4>Methods</h4>A review of literature and enrollment data from CTSN trials was conducted.<h4>Results</h4>CTSN completed more than a dozen major clinical trials (2008-2022), enrolling >4000 patients, of whom 30% were women, 11% were non-White, and 5.6% were Hispanic. CTSN also completed trials of hoThe Annals of thoracic surgeryClinical Trial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Roadmap of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network.PMC11844083U01 HL088942Bagiella EChikwe JGelijns ACIribarne ABadhwar VJeffries NMoskowitz AJRodriguez CJRaymond SThourani VHRao ALala AVervoort DO'Gara PJessup MTaddei-Peters WCLouis CfalseClinical Trial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Roadmap of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network.<h4>Background</h4>There is a recognized lack of diversity among patients enrolled in cardiovascular interventional and surgical trials. Diverse patient representation in clinical trials is necessary to enhance generalizability of findings, which may lead to better outcomes across broader populations. The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) recently developed a plan of action to increase diversity among participating investigators and trial participants and is the focus of this review.<h4>Methods</h4>A review of literature and enrollment data from CTSN trials was conducted.<h4>Results</h4>CTSN completed more than a dozen major clinical trials (2008-2022), enrolling >4000 patients, of whom 30% were women, 11% were non-White, and 5.6% were Hispanic. CTSN also completed trials of ho2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2026-06-10T05:01:00.842Z2026-06-10T03:07:07.409ZS-EPMC118440833852277110.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.03.016