Cardiovascular Disease

• Acute Coronary Syndrome Study
  A study to compare the clinical benefit of two lipid-lowering drugs in patients with acute coronary syndrome (a heart attack or heart/chest pain). Patients can enter the study at a cardiology clinic visit, but must be recently hospitalized for ACS and meet certain specific requirements. Contact: Thomas Amidon MD, Principal Investigator at 425-456-8712.

• Antiplatelet Therapy Study
  This is a study of a new antiplatelet medication for patients who have documented atherosclerotic disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), or peripheral artery disease (PAD). The benefit of anitplatelet agents in secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events is well established. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether adding the study drug to standard of care antiplatelet therapy will reduce the incidence of atherothrombotic ischemic events, such as myocardial infraction (heart attack), stroke, and urgent coronary revascularization (balloon angioplasty or stenting) as compared to standard of care alone.  Contact: Thomas Amidon, MD or Edward Kim, MD at 425-456-8712 

• Carotid Stent Study
  A post-approval study to collect clinical outcomes and device performance on an FDA approved carotid stent system. The carotid arteries supply the primary blood flow to the head and neck. These arteries may narrow as a person ages and put them at risk for stroke. The placement of the stent allows the blood to flow freely preventing strokes in the future. Carotid artery disease is responsible for about 30% of all strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US annually. Contact: Robert Bersin MD, Principal Investigator at 425-456-8712.
  

• CHAMPION PCI – The Medicines Company
  A study of a new IV anti-platelet medication for patients who are to undergo PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention). There is currently no short acting platelet inhibitor approved for acute patient care. The investigational drug, not yet approved by the FDA, acts quickly with up to 95% platelet inhibition and full recovery of platelet function in less than 60 minutes with little or no kidney concerns. The use of inhibitors is essential to better patient outcomes and recovery. Contact: Thomas Amidon MD, Principal Investigator at 425-456-8712.
  

• CORAL – National Institutes of Health
  A study designed to establish optimal care for patients with high blood pressure caused by renal artery stenosis (RAS - narrowed arteries to the kidneys). The study will compare medical therapy augmented by stenting of the renal arteries (insertion of a scaffold-like tube made of wire mesh), with medical therapy alone in patients with high blood pressure caused by RAS. For more information about this important clinical trial, please visit here. Contact: James Leggett MD at 425-456-8712.

• RATE - St. Jude Medical
  Registry to follow patients with certain risk factors to see how many patients in this risk group develop Atrial Fibrillation to know the prevalence of this disease that affects patients' quality of life and length of life. Contact: Derek Rodrigues, MD at 425-456-8712

• SCORE - St. Jude Medical
  Registry following patient Pacemaker or ICD/CRT-D measured data to follow battery longevity and any adverse events in order to improve future devices for that sponsor. Contact: Derek Rodrigues, MD at 425-456-8712

Heart Failure & Arrhythmia

• Arrhythmia Study
  A study to evaluate the benefit of optimizing implanted cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices in an effort to improve treatment of heart failure. Contact: Derek Rodrigues MD at 425-456-8712.
  

• Atrial Fibrillation Study
  A study to compare a new blood thinning drug to an existing available therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (rapidly fired signals to the heart causing it to beat irregularly or very fast). Blood thinning drugs help prevent strokes in people with A-Fib.
  This study is currently in follow-up.
  

• Atrial Fibrillation Study
  A study to evaluate the potential benefit of ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) device programs designed to prevent the first episode of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) in high-risk ICD patients with no prior history of A-Fib. Contact: J. Alan Heywood MD at 425-456-8712.
  

• Heart Failure & Anemia
  A study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug to treat anemia in patients with worsening heart failure.
  This study is currently in follow-up.
  

• Rapid-RF – Boston Scientific
  A registry to characterize LATITUDE® Patient Management’s alert feature: LATITUDE Active Monitoring™ by evaluating type and frequency of alert notifications and alert-related medical interventions. This registry will also assess clinical outcomes including quality of life and New York Heart Association Class changes over time, mortality, hospitalizations and heart failure-related event rates.
  This study is currently in follow-up.

• TOPCAT
  National Institutes of Health (NIH) Half of the heart failure population has diastolic heart failure, but there is very little research for them.   With this study which focuses on diastolic heart failure , the drug spironolactone, an inhibitor of the hormone aldosterone, has improved the survival of people with significant, symptomatic systolic heart failure.  The purpose of TOPCAT is to determine if treatment with spironolactone can produce a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality, aborted cardiac arrest, or hospitalization for the treatment of heart failure in adults with a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 45%.  Contact:  Mark R. Vossler, M.D. at 425-456-8712
  

Peripheral Arterial Disease
If you think you may be suffering with PAD or would like a screening, call Overlake Internal Medicine Associates Cardiology department at 425.454.2656. Ask for the scheduling desk. Let them know you would like to schedule a Carotid/PAD/AAA Screening. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover this screening.