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ENROLL IN A CLINICAL TRIAL

Contact the Clinical Trials Office 312-996-0572 or 312-996-1247.

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The section of cardiology is involved in a variety of clinical trials, with the aim to define the highest clinical, educational, and research standards in our profession.

Research in the section of cardiology focuses on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies through extensive collaborations and use of core facilities. Clinical trials influence the practice of medicine and improve the quality of care to our patients. We put this commitment into practice every day to foster continuous quality and improve outcomes. Below is a list of our current clinical trials:

ASCEND-HF: Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure. This study is being led by the research team of Dr. Stamos and Dr. Kao, in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). ADHF is the inability of the heart to pump efficiently, which can result in symptoms like shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity. The study is being conducted to find out if the approved FDA drug, Nesiritied (trade name Natrecor ®), compared to placebo, in addition to the usual treatment (standard of care) for ADHF can help: improve your breathing difficulties, reduce the chance that you will be readmitted to the hospital, and live longer.

CHAMPION PCI: Cangrelor Versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet Inhibition. Drs. Kao and Schroff are conducting a study in patients who are having a catherization procedure, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to treat the blood vessels of the heart. The study involves an experimental drug, Cangrelor, which is an intravenous anti-platelet drug that will be given during the PCI procedure. The standard of care is to give various blood thinners, such as Clopidogrel (trade name PLAVIX ®), before and after the PCI procedure. This study compares the efficacy of Cangrelor to Clopidogrel, for its ability to prevent blood clots.

CHAMPION PLATFORM: Cangrelor Versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet Inhibition. Drs. Kao and Schroff are conducting a study in patients who are having a catherization procedure, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to treat the blood vessels of the heart. The study involves an experimental drug, Cangrelor, which is an intravenous anti-platelet drug that will be given during the PCI procedure. The standard of care is to give various blood thinners, such as Clopidogrel (trade name PLAVIX ®), before and after the PCI procedure. This study compares the efficacy of Cangrelor in addition to Clopidogrel, versus Clopidogrel alone, for their ability to prevent blood clots.

GRAVITAS: Gauging Responsiveness with A VerifyNow assay- Impact on Thrombosis and Safety. This study is being led by the research team of Dr. Kao to determine the relationship between aspirin and Clopidogrel (trade name PLAVIX®) and how slippery patient’s platelets become. Recent evidence has suggested that there is variability in how patients respond to these medicines. The purpose of this study is to determine if patients, which are identified with the VerifyNow assay with sticky platelets, will benefit with a higher dose of Clopidogrel to make their platelets slippery and help to have fewer occurrences of major heart events after angioplasty and stenting procedures (PCI).

TRACER: Thrombin Receptor Antagonist for Clinical Event Reduction in Acute Coronary Syndrome. This study is being conducted by Dr. Vidovich and his research team to study an investigational drug, SCH 530348, which will try and prevent blood from forming clots, which can block vessels in your body. Aspirin and Clopidogrel (trade name PLAVIX®) are approved drugs for this condition, but they do not entirely prevent clots from forming in blood vessels. Therefore, in addition to the standard of care (aspirin and Clopidogrel), to treat the partial blockage of one or more of the blood vessels in the heart, the drug SCH 530348, will be added to your treatment plan.

If you have any questions about any of these on-going trials, please contact the clinical trials office at 312-996-0572 or 312-996-1247.