Cardiology Clinical Trials
A clinical trials program is a critical component of advancing heart and vascular care. Many of the treatments we use today for heart disease and related conditions have been developed through years of rigorous research and testing in clinical trials. By participating in a clinical trial at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), patients can access new and innovative treatments that could improve their health outcomes, all while remaining close to home. Additionally, these trials contribute to the broader scientific understanding of cardiovascular disease, benefiting future generations of patients, including your loved ones.
What are clinical trials?
A clinical trial is a research study in which people volunteer to test new treatments or procedures. These trials help doctors determine whether new treatments are effective and safe for people with heart and vascular conditions. While the need for new heart disease treatments is critical, all new drugs, devices and procedures must go through clinical trials before they can be approved by regulatory agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). These trials are essential in improving our understanding of heart health and providing better treatments for patients everywhere.
What trials has TMH participated in before?
In partnership with the private research group, Tallahassee Research Institute (TRI), and the physicians at SMG, TMH has facilitated numerous cardiovascular clinical trials, helping to advance medicine and interventional technology for Americans. Some of the recent notable trials our physicians have worked on include:
LIFE-BTK Trial: A trial that led to the approval of the Esprit BTK Scaffold System that is designed to treat blocked arteries below the knee in people battling advances stages of disease of the arteries.
AGENT IDE Trial: A medical trial that identified a safer way to treat patients with coronary in-stint restenosis (blockage or narrowing of an artery that was treated with a stent) than using a conventional balloon angioplasty.
PEERLESS III Trial: A medical study comparing two different treatments for pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a blockage in one of the arteries in the lungs. It found that the Large-Bore Mechanical Thrombectomy procedure, where doctors use a special device to physically remove the blood clot from the lung artery, was a safe option in treating these types of patients.
ALLEVIATE‐HF (Algorithm Using LINQ Sensors for Evaluation and Treatment of Heart Failure) Study: A research project designed to help doctors better manage patients facing heart failure by using an insertable cardiac monitor under the skin and monitoring the results remotely. This trial shows promising results for a preventive approach to managing heart failure.
COAPT Trial: A study that looked at a new way to treat heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation. The trial found that using the MitraClip for valve repair was a safe and effective way to treat heart failure with secondary mitral regurgitation, offering them a better chance at managing their condition and improving their lives.
