Participation and leadership in clinical research is instrumental in remaining on the leading edge of technology and new medical therapies.  Cardiology Associates, through its physicians and clinical staff, participates in nationally sponsored clinical research in both the areas of interventional devices and drug studies contributing to the growing understanding of the heart and vascular system and to helping to advance the development of effective cardiovascular treatment.

As cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause of death and disability in the United States, it is important to remain on the cutting edge of technology and medical therapies. Cardiology Associates has participated in over 35 clinical trials and research studies covering many cardiovascular related areas including interventional devices, cardiovascular testing modalities, congestive heart failure, medical therapies, and preventive treatments.  It is our hope to provide results which  will make a contribution to our patients here at home as well as to global cardiovascular research.

Participation in clinical research is strictly voluntary and there are strict criteria and guidelines that must be met prior to enrollment in a study. If you are interested in learning more about or participating in a study please contact your physician or one of our clinical research coordinators.

 

Lynn Ward, RN, CRC
lynnward@cardassoc.com

Mary Austin, RN, CCRC
maustin@cardassoc.com

 
 
 

Cardiology Associates is actively involved in the following.


LUX DX Trends Study:

The Lux-Dx Trends Study is an investigational IDE Study that uses and investigational version of commercially released Lux-Dx™ ICM. The primary objective of this study is to collect physiological measurement data and heart failure (HF) event data that will be used to design and develop new diagnostic features for the insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) system, the Lux-Dx™ ICM. Open to Enrollment.

Sponsor: Boston Scientific

Principal Investigators: E. Matthew Quin, MD, FACC

Sub-Investigators : Robert P. Robichaux Jr. MD, MPH, FACC and Jordan M. Chaisson MD, FACC, FHRS

Coordinator: Mary Austin RN, CRC


REPAIR MR:

A randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical outcome of MitraClip device versus surgical repair in patients with severe primary Mitral Regurgitation who are at moderate risk and whose mitral valve has been determined to be suitable for correction by MV repair surgery by a cardiac surgeon.

Sponsor:

Principal Investigators: M. Wail Hashimi, MD, FACC and R. Lewis Wilson, Jr., FACS

Sub-Investigator: Ruth Wagner, CRNP

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


LIBREXIA:

A phase 3 randomized double blinded placebo controlled, event driven study to demonstrate the efficiency and safety of Milvexian, an Oral Factor XIa Inhibitor after a recent acute coronary syndrome

Sponsor:

Principal Investigators: John M. Galla, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Sub-Investigator: Ruth Wagner, CRNP

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


EXPAND G4:

This is a post-market, multi-center, single-arm, prospective study to assess the safety and performance of the next generation MitraClip® G4 System.

Sponsor: Abbott

Principal Investigators: M. Wail Hashimi, MD, FACC and John M. Galla, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


IDENTIFY:

Build a repository of heart signals from eligible subjects. The collection of heart signals using Phase Signal Acquisition System are used to compare the results of CCTA to determine the everyday clinical use of the PSA in treatment and care along with early detection of heart disease.

Sponsor: CorVista Health

Principal Investigators: Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


AVEIR:

Clinical investigation intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Aveir Dual Chamber Leadless Pacemaker system in patients indicated for DDD® pacing indications and the Aveir Atrial Leadless Pacemaker for AAI® pacing indications. This clinical investigation will be conducted under and Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) and is intended to support market approval worldwide.

Sponsor: Abbott

Principal Investigators: D. Scott Kirby, MD, FACC and Chance M. Witt, MD, FACC

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


PRECISE: Prospective Randomized Trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms & Revascularization

Primary objective of the PRECISE trial is to assess clinical outcomes, decision making regarding non-invasive testing and invasive angiography, and costs using a precision evaluation strategy as compared to a usual care strategy in participants with stable symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease. Closed for enrollment.

Sponsor:  HeartFlow(R)

Principal Investigator: Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


Ranger II SFA

The purpose of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of the Ranger™ drug-coated balloon to standard (non-coated) balloons for the treatment of narrowed or blocked vessel. A 3:1 randomized trial comparing the Boston Scientific Ranger™ Paclitaxel Coated Balloon vs Standard Balloon Angioplasty for the treatment of superficial femoral arteries(SFA) and proximal popliteal arteries (PPA). Closed for enrollment.

Sponsor:  Boston Scientific

Principal Investigator: Frank T. Bunch, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


REALAF: Real Time Atrial Fibrillation

An observational, prospective , multi-center, non- randomized designed to obtain real-world clinical experience of Paroxysmal and Persistent ablation RF technologies. To asses clinical outcomes, including procedural efficiency, safety, long-term, effectiveness of RF ablations in the treatment of patients with Paroxysmal or Persistent atrial fibrillation.

Sponsor:  Heart Rhythm Clinical and Research Solutions, LLS (HRCRS)

Principal Investigator: E. Matthew Quin, MD, FACC

Sub-Investigator: Ruth Wagner, CRNP

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


WARRIOR:

A Women’s Ischemia Trial that is multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded outcome evaluation of symptomatic women with ischemia but no obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This study is being conducted to determine whether aggressive medication treatment to modify risk factors in women with Coronary Arteries showing no severe obstruction but with cardiac symptoms will reduce their likelihood of dying, having a heart attack, stroke or being hospitalized. The results of this study will provide the data necessary to inform future guidelines regarding how best to treat this growing population of women, and ultimately improve their cardiac health and quality of life and reduce health care costs.

Sponsor:  University of Florida Health

Principal Investigator: Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC

Sub- Investigator: Ruth Wagner, CRNP

Coordinator: Lynn Ward, RN, CRC


Cardiology Associates INTegrally participated in the following.

ARTEMIS 

The purpose of this study is to determine how long STEMI and NSTEMI take antiplatelet medication and hospital discharge, and how this influences patients long-term health and use of healthcare resources.

Sponsor:  AstraZeneca

Principal Investigator:  Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC

Sub Investigators: M. Wail Hashimi, MD, FACC and Robin Bates, PA-C

Coordinator: Ruth Wagner, RN, CRC


Commander / RIVAROX HFA 3001

A randomized, double-blind, event-driven multicenter study comparing the efficacy and safety of oral Rivaroxaban with a placebo for reducing the risk of death, myocardial infarction or stroke in subjects with chronic heart failure and significant coronary artery disease following a hospitalization for exacerbation of heart failure.

Sponsor:  Janssen

Principal Investigator:  Kenneth M. Burnham, MD, FACC

Sub Investigators: Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC & Stephanie Cleveland, PA

Coordinator: Ruth Wagner, RN, CRC


Copper A Trial

The purpose of the COPPER –A trial is to asses the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel administration using the occlusion perfusion catheter (OPC) for the prevention and restenosis in  infrainguinal de novo, restonotic femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal stenoses and occlusions, and in-stent restenosis.

Sponsor: Horizons International Peripheral Group, LLC

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


Copper Trial-B Trial 

The purpose of COPPER-B trial is to assess the feasibility, safety, and initial efficacy of paclitaxel administration using the OPC for the prevention of restenosis in infrapopliteal de novo and restenotic lesions and occlusions using a novel catheter, teh OPC.

Sponsor:  Horizons International Peripheral Group, LLC

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


CREDENCE

Study seeking to determine the accuracy of using anatomic and physiological information measurable by computed tomography features of stenosis, plaque, fractional flow reserve-CT and to compare this measure to stress testing for the detection of myocardial ischemia against the gold standard of cardiac catheterization with fractional flow reserve.  The hypothesis of this proposal is that integrating anatomic plaque features with physiologic fraction flow reserve-CT will optimize identification of coronary lesions that are ischemia-causing by computed tomography.

Sponsor:  NIH

Principal Investigator: Jason H. Cole, MD, MSc, FACC

Sub Investigators: M. Wail Hashimi, MD, FACC

Coordinator: Ruth Wagner, RN, CRC


EVOLVE 

A prospective, multicenter, single-arm study designed to assess the safety of 3 month dual antiplatelet therapy in subjects at high risk for bleeding undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention the SYNERGY Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent System.

Sponsor:  Boston Scientific

Principal Investigator:  Erik A. Eways, MD, FACC

Coordinator: Ruth Wagner, RN, CRC, CRNP


EXCITE Trial

The EXCITE ISR trial is a prospective randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Excimer Laser Atherectomy (ELA) using the Spectranetics Turbo Elite Laser Ablation Catheter and the Spectranetics Turbo-Tandem Laser Guide Catheter with Laser Atherectomy Catheter with adjunctive percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to PTA alone in the treatment of femoropopliteal bare nitinol in-stent restenosis (ISR).  The objective of the EXCITE ISR trail is to gather data regarding the safety and effectiveness of performing ELA with PTA for the treatment of in-stent restenosis, at the time of procedure, and at follow-ups at 30 days, six (6) months, and 12 months after the procedure.  These results will be compared to treatment with PTA alone.

Sponsor:  Spectranetics Corporation

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


Lutonix ISR

A Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing the Lutonix (R) Drug Coated Balloon vs. Standard Balloon Angioplasty for Treatment of Femoropopliteal In-Stent Restenosis.  The study will enroll patients presenting with claudication or ischemic rest pain (Rutherford Category 2-4) and occlusion or > 50% stenosis of a previously deployed bare nitinol stent(s) in the femoropopliteal artery that is appropriate for angioplasty.  After successful protocol-defined pre-dilatation, subjects are randomized 2:1 to treatment with either the LUTONIX(R) Drug Coated Balloon (test arm) or standard Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) Catheter (control arm).  The primary safety and efficacy endpoint assessments are 12 months.  Clinical follow-up continues through 2 years and telephone follow-up through 5 years.

Sponsor:  Bard/Lutonix

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


SMART MSP

SMART MSP research study is to Evaluate the effectiveness of Boston Scientific’s left ventricular multisite pacing feature in the Resonate family of CRT-D devices and confirm safety in a post approval study when used in accordance with its approved labeling. It is indicated for patients with heart failure who receive stable optimal pharmacologic therapy for heart failure.

Sponsor:  Boston Scientific

Principal Investigator: E. Matthew Quin, MD, FACC

Coordinator: Ruth Wagner, RN, CRC, CRNP


TIGRIS 

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the GORE TIGRIS Vascular Stent (called the "study stent"), compared to BARD LifeStent (called the "control stent").  The control stent is the only stent approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating patients with obstructive peripheral artery disease (PAD), while the study stent is still in research studies in the US.  The study stent has been approved for use elsewhere in the world.  In this study, patients will be randomized in a 3:1 design to placement of either Tigris or LifeStent.

Sponsor:  W. L. Gore

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC


TRANSCEND

The objective of TRANSCEND is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Surveil Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) for the treatment of subjects with symptomatic peripheral artery disease, PAD, due to stenosis of the femoral and/or popliteal arteries.  Subjects meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized 1:1 with either the Surveil DCB or the IN.PACT Admiral DCB and followed for 60 months.

Sponsor: Surmodics

Principal Investigator:  Frank T. Bunch MD, FACC, FSCAI

Coordinator: Mary Austin, RN, CCRC