State of the Art Care through Clinical Trials
Advances in cardiology are made by cardiologists willing to push the limits of current medicine through clinical trials. In the cardiology department of Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, they are not only asking what's possible, they're among the only heart centers in the world launching clinical research to find out.
A Sample of Clinical Trials at Montefiore-Einstein
Montefiore-Einstein has a very active clinical research program that includes both industry-sponsored protocols and trials that are initiated within Montefiore-Einstein to test novel treatment strategies for patients with heart failure. The cardiology program is involved in more than 15 clinical studies testing the use of new devices, techniques, or medications.
When appropriate, patients at Montefiore-Einstein are evaluated for inclusion in these clinical trials that evaluate promising new medical therapies or devices. Because of Montefiore-Einstein's commitment to advancing medical technologies, patients have access to treatment that includes the most current clinical research options.
A sampling go clinical trials in the Montefiore-Einstein Heart Center includes:
Cutting edge devices
Clinical trials are currently investigating the use of the latest biventricular pacemakers, defibrillators, and ventricular assist devices (VADs), or heart pumps. For example, clinical research is evaluating VADs a as bridge to transplant therapies used to support heart function during the wait for a suitable transplant match. They're also testing the use of these new devices as an alternative to transplant. Related trials are studying clotting and infection related to these devices.
Pharmacologic Agents
Montefiore-Einstein is testing the use of the beta-2 agonist Clenbuterol to build skeletal muscle in patients with end stage heart disease. The hope is that by improving overall strength, patients will improve their overall well being.
Cardiac imaging
Montefiore-Einstein is comparing the use of advanced imaging techniques to more traditional imaging techniques, such as the echocardiograph. Research in this area includes three-dimensional echocardiogram.
At Montefiore-Einstein, medical advance transcends disciplines. The cardiac imaging team and the radiology department are finalizing a submission to the review board that will look at how the latest imaging techniques in the radiology department can be used to map the veins on the surface of the heart. Such techniques may shorten the length of invasive exploratory procedures and, in some cases, eliminate the need for them altogether.
Procedural and medicinal trials
Many of the trials at Montefiore-Einstein look at the use of new procedures and medications. For example, Montefiore-Einstein is involved with the trial of a medication to improve the safety of angioplasty.
By devoting study to such possibilities Montefiore-Einstein hopes to turn today's hypothetical therapies into the gold standard of tomorrow's care.
© 2008 Montefiore Medical Center