Types of Clinical Trials
Depending on the goals of the trial, there are several different types:

Treatment trials test new treatments, new combinations of drugs or new ways to deliver treatment.

Prevention trials look for better ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who have never had it or to prevent the disease from recurring.

Control trials deal with evaluation and may involve the management of the side effects of heart disease and its treatment.

View a list of our current clinical trials

Phases of a Clinical Trial
The Central Minnesota Heart Center conducts a majority of Phase III and IV treatment trials, which involve hundreds, sometimes thousands of people with the goal of comparing new treatments or drugs to the most commonly used treatments.

Phase I Trial: In Phase I trials, researchers test the safety of a new drug or treatment on a very small number of people because of the unknown risks involved.

Phase II Trial: In Phase II trials, researchers test treatments on a small number of patients to see if the treatment works against a certain kind of disease.

Phase III Trial: Phase III trials compare the results of people taking the new treatment with the results of people taking standard treatment to confirm the study drug’s effectiveness and monitor side effects among hundreds of people.

Phase IV Trail: (also called post-marketing surveillance): After a drug has been launched, pharmaceutical companies may conduct further studies of its performance, often examining long-term safety.

Eligibility for a Clinical Trial
Each study has specific eligibility criteria. The Central Minnesota Heart Center has access to the latest treatment and research trials open across the country. Patients who are eligible and choose to participate in a research study must receive their care at the Central Minnesota Heart Center. Contact your doctor regarding your participation eligibility and for more research information.

Health insurance may not cover all patient care costs in a study. Coverage varies with each insurance plan. The staff at Central Minnesota Heart Center will assist you in checking with your insurance plan to determine coverage prior to joining any study.

Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available and help others by contributing to medical research.

Please contact the Central Minnesota Heart Center Research Department for more information on the clinical trials open at the Central Minnesota Heart Center or for help in determining eligibility to participate in a clinical trial.