A Tribute to Dr. Ray Lipicky: The Man Who Transformed Cardiology
Milton Packer, Robert Califf, Norman Stockbridge and Robert Fenichel pay tribute
Most cardiologists assume that the way we currently think about things in cardiology has always been part of our DNA. We are strongly evidence-based, and we are skeptical of mechanisms that have no supporting data. We recognize the limitation of small trials, and we understand how missing data creates bias. We know that rigorous clinical trials are the only way to inform our use of drugs.
Has cardiology always been this way? Actually, no.
Forty years ago, thinking in cardiology was dominated by wonderful story-telling, but without much evidence. Trials were small, and many were not well designed or executed. They often focused on things that we thought were important, based on our beliefs about a disease. We knew that shortcuts commonly gave the wrong answer, but we embraced them because we did not know better.
One man made all the difference: Dr. Raymond Lipicky.
Ray led the FDA Division of Cardiac and Renal Drug Products from 1981-2002. During those 21 years, his unique intellect and way of thinking transformed the cardiovascular drug evaluation and approval process. Too slowly, his approach to cardiovascular drugs is now being adopted in other therapeutic areas./.../
Most cardiologists assume that the way we currently think about things in cardiology has always been part of our DNA. We are strongly evidence-based, and we are skeptical of mechanisms that have no supporting data. We recognize the limitation of small trials, and we understand how missing data creates bias. We know that rigorous clinical trials are the only way to inform our use of drugs.
Has cardiology always been this way? Actually, no.
Forty years ago, thinking in cardiology was dominated by wonderful story-telling, but without much evidence. Trials were small, and many were not well designed or executed. They often focused on things that we thought were important, based on our beliefs about a disease. We knew that shortcuts commonly gave the wrong answer, but we embraced them because we did not know better.
One man made all the difference: Dr. Raymond Lipicky.
Ray led the FDA Division of Cardiac and Renal Drug Products from 1981-2002. During those 21 years, his unique intellect and way of thinking transformed the cardiovascular drug evaluation and approval process. Too slowly, his approach to cardiovascular drugs is now being adopted in other therapeutic areas./.../
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