The Task Force may also invite orga- nizations and professional societies with related inter- ests and expertise to participate as partners, collaborators, or endorsers. Relationships With Industry and Other Entities The ACC and AHA have rigorous policies and methods to ensure that guidelines are developed without bias or improper influence. The complete relationships with industry and other entities (RWI) policy can be found online. Appendix 1 of the present document lists writing committee members relevant RWI. For the purposes of full transparency, writing committee members comprehensive disclosure information is available online. Comprehensive disclosure information for the Task Force is available online. Evidence Review and Evidence Review Committees In developing recommendations, the writing committee uses evidence-based methodologies that are based on all available Literature searches focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but also include registries, nonrandomized com- parative and descriptive studies, case series, cohort studies, systematic reviews, and expert opinion. Only key references are cited. An independent evidence review committee (ERC) is commissioned when there are 1 or more questions deemed of utmost clinical importance that merit formal systematic review. The systematic review will determine which patients are most likely to benefit from a drug, device, or treatment strategy and to what degree. Criteria for commissioning an ERC and formal systematic review include: a) the absence of a current authoritative systematic review, b) the feasibility of defining the benefit and risk in a time frame consistent with the writ- ing of a guideline, c) the relevance to a substantial number of patients, and d) the likelihood that the findings can be trans- lated into actionable recommendations. ERC members may include methodologists, epidemiologists, healthcare providers, and biostatisticians. 