It is entirely possible for there to be some numeric trend toward an increase in heart valve problems that the safety panel didn't think was worth stopping the trial.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Now, after more than eight years of waiting, Mr. Obama was stopping the trial of Abu Rahim al-Nashiri, the only individual to be held accountable for the bombing in a U.S. court.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Obama-and-Holder

Novartis was informed that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) overseeing ALTITUDE had recommended stopping the trial because Tekturna was unlikely to show any benefit, and potential safety concerns had been identified in these high-risk patients.

FORBES: ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis