The FACT (French Alliance for Cardiovascular Clinical Trials) network is the national clinical research network dedicated to cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease, atherothrombosis, and the cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Established in 2012 and designated an F-CRIN network of excellence in 2014, its mission is to promote, organize, and strengthen clinical research in these areas of critical public health importance.
FACT, the national clinical research network on coronary artery disease and atherothrombosis
The FACT network brings together a community of experts committed to designing, coordinating, and conducting innovative clinical trials aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular diseases. The network fosters collaborations between academic teams, healthcare institutions, and industry partners to accelerate the evaluation and implementation of new therapeutic and organizational strategies.
With its recognized expertise in cardiovascular clinical research, FACT has contributed to the conduct of numerous major trials that have advanced medical knowledge, guidelines, and practices. The network is now recognized as a leading partner by academic and industry stakeholders, both in France and internationally.
The FACT network supports project leaders at every stage of their studies, from design to implementation, and facilitates access to a national network of high-performing research centers. Its mission is to promote clinical research of the highest quality, in the service of innovation, patients, and public health.
Organization
The FACT network is coordinated by Professors Philippe Gabriel Steg (AP-HP, Bichat Hospital), Tabassome Simon (AP-HP, Saint Antoine Hospital), Gilles Lemesle (Lille University Hospital), and is supported by a scientific and operational governance structure bringing together experts in cardiovascular clinical research.
FACT comprises 31 research centers located throughout France. The network consists primarily of university hospitals, but also includes non-university public institutions and private hospitals recognized for their expertise in clinical research. All member centers share a strong commitment to high-quality clinical research and have a proven ability to recruit and monitor patients in multicenter clinical trials.
The network also benefits from the support of the Eastern Paris Clinical Research Platform, which brings together a Clinical Research Unit (URC-Est), a Clinical Research Center (CRC-Est), and a Biological Resource Center (CRB). This infrastructure provides methodological, regulatory, and logistical support for the conduct of academic trials—particularly those sponsored by the AP-HP—as well as for projects led by other national and international investigators.
Cartographie du réseau FACT
Scientific Expertise
The network operates in various fields of expertise and offers a range of services to investigators and sponsors.
One of the FACT network’s flagship achievements is the establishment of the FRENCHIE national cohort: a cohort of hospitalized patients with myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI). This cohort is linked to the National Health Data System, enabling comprehensive long-term follow-up of participants. As of early 2026, more than 20,000 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction had been included in FRENCHIE. Numerous observational studies (such as the AMISLEEP, FRENCHIE Lp(a)), and randomized clinical trials (MINT, APERITIF, and PAROCARD) have been nested within FRENCHIE, which has helped accelerate recruitment, improve representativeness, and reduce costs. FRENCHIE is continuing to enroll patients and incorporate nested studies.
Completed Projects and Notable Achievements
Each year, the FACT network contributes to major advances in cardiovascular clinical research, with studies published in leading international journals. Here are a few notable examples of completed projects:
Low-dose rivaroxaban combined with aspirin in patients with stable coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease: reduced cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality, at the cost of a moderate increased risk of bleeding.
Eikelboom JW, Connolly SJ, Bosch J, et al.; COMPASS Investigators. Rivaroxaban with or without Aspirin in Stable Cardiovascular Disease. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(14):1319-1330. PMID: 28844192.
Evaluation of the benefits of aspirin in combination with long-term oral anticoagulation in stabilized coronary patients at high atherothrombotic risk following stenting: the addition of aspirin increases the risk of ischemic events, mortality, and major bleeding, with no demonstrated benefit. Trial terminated prematurely on the recommendation of the independent monitoring committee.
Lemesle G, Didier R, Steg PG, et al.; AQUATIC Trial Investigators. Aspirin in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome Receiving Oral Anticoagulation. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(16):1578-1588. PMID: 40888725.
Standard antiplatelet therapy to prevent left ventricular thrombus formation after anterior myocardial infarction: a substudy of the FRENCHIE cohort evaluating the addition of low-dose direct oral anticoagulant to treatment.
Puymirat E, Soulat G, Lattuca B, et al.; APERITIF study investigators. Low-Dose Rivaroxaban to Prevent Left Ventricular Thrombosis After Anterior Myocardial Infarction: The APERITIF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2026;11(4):323-331. PMID: 41739450.
Comparison of a multivessel revascularization strategy guided by FFR versus angiography in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease.
Puymirat E, Cayla G, Simon T, et al.; FLOWER-MI Study Investigators. Multivessel PCI Guided by FFR or Angiography for Myocardial Infarction. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(4):297-308. PMID: 33999545.
Evaluation of a selective invasive strategy guided by ischemic stress imaging versus a systematic invasive strategy in patients over 80 years of age hospitalized for a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Barone-Rochette G et al. Hotline presentation accepted at ESC 2026. Submitted for publication.
Current Projects
The network is currently involved in several multicenter studies aimed at advancing knowledge and clinical practice, including:
A multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial in Europe (France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic), evaluating the effect of rituximab, a B-cell-depleting anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, on cardiac function recovery following acute myocardial infarction.
Funding: European Union (H2020).
A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating dapagliflozin as an adjunct to standard therapy to limit ventricular remodeling following a myocardial infarction (STEMI or NSTEMI) complicated by left ventricular dysfunction.
Sponsored by: AP-HP
Contact the network
Would you like to contact the FACT network?
Feel free to send an email to facttrials@gmail.com
