Newswise — On October 25, 2010, Anesthesia & Analgesia received notification from Landesärztekammer Rheinland-Pfalz (“LÄK”), the Rheinland State Medical Board, regarding their investigation into the paper “Cardiopulmonary Bypass Priming Using a High Dose of a Balanced Hydroxyethyl Starch Versus an Albumin-Based Priming Strategy” by Joachim Boldt from Klinikum Ludwigshafen in Germany (Anesthesia & Analgesia 2009; 109: 1752-1762). As a result of the findings by LÄK, which is responsible for ethical oversight of research conducted at Klinikum Ludwigshafen, the paper has been retracted by A&A.
LÄK determined that there was no IRB approval, no informed consent, no randomization process, and no follow-up questionnaire as described in the study. However, the primary concern investigated by LÄK was whether the data in the manuscript were fabricated, because the nidus of the investigation was the observation by several readers that the variability in the reported results was too low to be believed. Despite having several months to collect data to disprove fabrication, Professor Boldt has not provided LÄK with any original research data to refute the allegation of data fabrication. LÄK has not reached a conclusion that the data were fabricated. This is still an open question, and LÄK is continuing its investigation.
“Anesthesia & Analgesia is uncompromising in its commitment to scientific integrity” states Dr. Shafer, Editor-in-Chief of A&A. “When credible evidence of misconduct is brought to our attention, our commitment to the scientific record, to our readers, and to the patients our readers care for requires that we pursue all allegations until a determination has been made.”
Professor Boldt has published more than 200 manuscripts in the peer reviewed medical literature, including 40 in Anesthesia & Analgesia. In the coming months the Editorial Board of Anesthesia & Analgesia will work with LÄK to determine the veracity of all reports by Professor Boldt published in the journal. Editorial comments to accompany this retraction will appear in the March 2011 issue of A&A. The journal acknowledges with appreciation the dedication to academic integrity demonstrated by Landesärztekammer Rheinland-Pfalz in pursuing their investigation into the veracity of this report published in A&A.
About the IARSThe International Anesthesia Research Society is a nonpolitical, not-for-profit medical society founded in 1922 to advance and support scientific research and education related to anesthesia, and to improve patient care through basic research. The IARS contributes nearly $1 million annually to fund anesthesia research; sponsors an annual forum for anesthesiology leaders to share information and ideas; maintains a worldwide membership of more 15,000 physicians, physician residents, and others with doctoral degrees, as well as health professionals in anesthesia-related practice; sponsors the SmartTots initiative; and publishes the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. Additional information about the society and the journal may be found at www.iars.org and www.anesthesia-analgesia.org.
About Anesthesia & AnalgesiaAnesthesia & Analgesia was founded in 1922 and was issued bi-monthly until 1980, when it became a monthly publication. A&A is the leading journal for anesthesia clinicians and researchers and includes more than 500 articles annually in all areas related to anesthesia and analgesia, such as cardiovascular anesthesiology, patient safety, anesthetic pharmacology, and pain management. The journal is published on behalf of the IARS by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), a division of Wolters Kluwer Health.
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