The CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center Research Department opens new clinical trials on a regular basis. For information on these or additional studies that may be open and available to treat, control or prevent heart disease, please contact the research department at (320) 251-2700, ext. 57584 or e-mail wipperj@centracare.com.

A sample of cardiovascular research trials currently open to enrollment at the CentraCare Heart & Vascular Center is listed below.

Prevention Trials

AMG-145 20120153 GLAGOV: The purpose of this research study is to look at the changes in the fatty deposits in the walls of the blood vessels of your heart and blood levels of your “good” and “bad” cholesterol when AMG 145 is taken in addition to your present medical therapy as directed by your doctor including a medication for the treatment of abnormal cholesterol blood levels called “statins”. AMG 145 and placebo are given by subcutaneous injection.  A subcutaneous injection is an injection given into the tissue just below the skin. In this study, the effects of AMG 145 will be determined by an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) procedure that measures the amount of fatty deposits in the arteries of your heart. 
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01813422?term=20120153&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

Accelerate: This study is being done to see how safe an investigational drug (Evacetrapib) is and how well it will work to help people who have been diagnosed with “high risk vascular disease.”
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01687998?term=ACCELERATE&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

AMG-145 20110118 FOURIER:  The purpose of this study is to find out moreabout an investigational product called AMG 145.  This study is designed to see whether treatment of dyslipidemia (abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood) with AMG 145 in people who have experienced a prior heart attack or stroke, and who are taking a highly effective dose of a statin, reduces the risk of recurring or additional cardiovascular events. 
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01764633?term=AMG-145+20110118&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert, RN ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

EUCLID: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at a significant risk to have heart problems and stroke. This study is being carried out to see if a new medication called ticagrelor given twice daily is effective in preventing the occurrence of heart attack, stroke and/or death due to heart problems in patients who have PAD and if so, how it compares with clopidogrel (Plavix), given once daily.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01732822?term=EUCLID&rank=1
Contact: Heidi Harris, RN ext 54465  harrish@centracare.com

GLORIA-AF: This is a registry study for patients recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01468701?term=GLORIA&rank=3
Contact: Alisse Amundson, RN ext 57937  amundsona@centracare.com

Odyssey: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the study drug (SAR236553) might prevent future cardiovascular events (such as, heart attacks or strokes) in patients who recently experienced a coronary event.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01663402?term=EFC11570&rank=1
Contact: Alisse Amundson, RN ext 57937  amundsona@centracare.com

REDUCE-IT: AMR101 has been investigated as a therapy to lower triglyceride levels.  It is thought that AMR101, in combination with a statin drug (such as Lipitor®), will have a greater effect in preventing a cardiovascular event (like a heart attack or stroke), than if you were taking a statin drug alone
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01492361?term=Reduce-It&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

TAK-875_306: This study is for patients with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease (for example,  have had a heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, etc.) or are considered to have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular events (for example, you have had type 2 diabetes for more than 10 years, you smoke, have high blood pressure, etc.).  The aim of this study is to learn about the cardiovascular safety of TAK-875 (the investigational drug) when given with standard medications for type 2 diabetes in people at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01609582?term=TAK-875_306&rank=1
Contact: Heidi Harris, RN ext 54465  harrish@centracare.com

RIVER-PCI: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if ranolazine, compared to placebo, can reduce the chance of myocardial infarction (heart attack), hospitalization for angina (chest pain) or for ischemia (decreased blood flow to the heart muscle), and cardiovascular death, when taken together with standard medications in subjects who recently had a PCI with incomplete revascularization.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01442038?term=River-PCI&rank=1
Contact: Peg Dahl, RN ext 52187  dahlp@centracare.com

Cantos: The purpose is to find out if the study drug canakinumab, which reduces inflammation, is both safe and beneficial in reducing future cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks and strokes) in patients who have had a heart attack and ongoing increased inflammation.  This study will also test whether or not canakinumab reduces the development of Type 2 diabetes (often called adult onset diabetes) if you had abnormal blood sugar levels after your heart attack.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01327846?term=cantos&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

Pegasus: This study is being carried out to see if a new, investigational drug called ticagrelor given twice daily in addition to the ASA therapy that you are already using decreases the frequency of cardiovascular events (e.g., death from heart disease, heart attack, or stroke).  Patient who had a heart attack (what physicians call a myocardial infarction) 1 to 3 years ago and are presently treated with aspirin to prevent new heart attacks may be eligible for this study.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01225562?term=Pegasus&rank=2
Contact: Peg Dahl, RN ext 52187  dahlp@centracare.com

PROMISE: The purpose of this study is to compare different, routinely-performed heart tests, such as exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), stress echocardiogram (echo), or stress nuclear test, and coronary computed tomography.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01174550?term=PROMISE&rank=8
Contact: Peg Dahl, RN ext 52187  dahlp@centracare.com

Heart Failure Trials

There are no current heart failure trials.

Intervention Trials

Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP): The purpose of this research is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug. This will be done by comparing the results of this device to standard therapy with the medicines warfarin or dabigatran.  The AMPLATZER Cardiac Plug is a self-expanding device which is made from a nitinol (nickel-titanium alloy) mesh and which has a lobe and a disc connected by a central waist. The device is designed to prevent blood clots from moving out of the left atrial appendage (LAA).
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01118299term=Amplatzer+Cardiac+Plug&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com

PREMIUM: The purpose of this research study is to compare the AMPLATZER PFO Occluder device to medicine in reducing the incidence of disabling migraine headaches which may be occurring in relation to a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO).   A PFO is an opening in your heart called. Normally, the PFO closes shortly after birth.  When the PFO remains open, it may be related to the reason persons have headaches
 http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00355056?term=PREMIUM&rank=3
Contact: Heidi Harris, RN ext 54465  harrish@centracare.com

Sapphire-WW: This is a registry for patients who receive a procedure called carotid stent supported angioplasty. 
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00403078?term=Sapphire&rank=14
Contact: Peg Dahl, RN ext 52187  dahlp@centracare.com

Device/Electrophysiology Trials

Medtronic Attain Performa: Patients who are indicated to receive a Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) device may be eligible for this study.  The purpose is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Medtronic Attain Performa Quadripolar Leads during and post the implant procedure. This study will also assess the interactions of the Attain Performa leads with the entire Medtronic CRT-D system.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01751022?term=Attain+Performa&rank=1
Contact: Jen Humbert ext 57560  humbertj@centracare.com