Indication: Saphenous Vein Grafts

Physician conducting the study: David Cochran, M.D.
Study ID: AMEthyst
Study Status: Enrolling new patients
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic AVE Coronary Filter System.  This system can be used after a stent has been implanted to treat narrowing of a blood vessel around your heart.  When a stent is implanted, it is possible that particles of plaque (debris) may break off of the walls of the vein, which could disrupt blood flow and possibly damage the heart.  This investigational device is designed to be used as a filter to stop the debris from going down the vein graft and causing heart muscle damage.

 For more information about this study, please contact Rebecca Baker at  (417) 820-6184.

Indication: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Physician conducting the study: David Cochran, M.D.
Study ID: TRANSCENDENCE (P03573)
Study Status: Enrolling new patients
This study examines the effectiveness of an investigational drug in preventing blood clots.  Coronary heart disease, a condition in which the heart does not get enough oxygen, may be caused by partial blockage of one or more blood vessels in the heart and may result in chest pain. The investigational drug is being studied to see how successful it is in preventing blood clots from forming and causing blocked blood vessels.  Aspirin and Plavix (drugs that have already been approved for this condition) do not entirely prevent clots from forming in blood vessels.  This study will examine whether adding the investigational drug to the aspirin and Plavix that is already being taken will prevent even more blood clots.

 For more information about this study, please contact Maria Weskamp at (417) 820-9587.

Indication: Acute Coronary Syndrome

Physician conducting the study: David Cochran, M.D.
Study ID: Acuity (TMC-BIV-02-08)
Study Status: No longer enrolling new patients
The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of different drugs in the prevention of blood clots and bleeding following angiography.  This procedure is performed to determine the degree to which blood vessels to the heart have blockages.  It involves inserting a long plastic tube to the heart via a blood vessel in the groin.  A dye is then injected through the tube that will make it easier for the doctor to visualize any blockages, enabling the doctor to suggest the most appropriate treatment.

Before the angiography takes place, the patient receives anti-clotting medications to prevent blood clots from forming due to the insertion of the plastic tube into the groin.  This study examines how a newly approved drug (bivalirudin) compares to other injectable anti-clotting medications in the prevention of blood clots and bleeding.  Results from previous studies suggest that this drug may reduce the chance of bleeding, heart attack, or the need for an urgent repeat procedure in patients at high risk of developing complications.

 For more information about this study, please contact Rebecca Baker at (417) 820-6184.

Indication: Saphenous Vein Grafts

Physician conducting the study: David Cochran, M.D.
Study ID: CHAMPION (TMC-CAN-05-02)
Study Status: Starting soon
The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of two drugs to prevent blood clots.  Using drugs to prevent clots may be useful in the treatment of patients with heart disease who may be at risk of having a heart attack.  In this study, the standard drug (clopidogrel, also known as Plavix®) used to prevent blood clots is being compared to an investigational drug to see if one works better than the other.

For more information about this study, please contact Rebecca Baker at (417) 820-6184.

Indication: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Physician conducting the study: John Hawkins, M.D.
Study ID: Timi-38 (H7T-MC-TAAL)
Study Status: Enrolling new patients
This is a study examining an investigational drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming.  Blood clots that form in the arteries can cause problems such as heart attacks, strokes, or even death.  The drug being investigated may be used as a possible treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome (a heart attack or heart/chest pain) who may need a balloon angioplasty.  The investigational drug is being compared with Plavix® to determine which is better at reducing deaths, future heart attack, or stroke.

For more information about this study, please contact Rebecca Baker at (417) 820-6184.

Indication: Carotid Artery Stenosis

Physician conducting the study: Robert Merritt, M.D.
Study ID: EXACT
Study Status: Enrolling new patients
This study includes individuals who have a significant narrowing in the carotid artery (the artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain).  This narrowing can cause strokes or short-lived blindness, and is often treated by implanting a stent that widens the narrowed portion of the artery.  The purpose of this study is to collect more information on the safety and effectiveness of the new stent system being used.

For more information about this study, please contact Maria Weskamp at (417) 820-9587.

Indication: Patients at risk for kidney damage during angiogram
Study ID: TIFFANY
Study Status: Delayed
The purpose of this study is to find out if a drug that has already been approved to treat high blood pressure can also protect the kidneys from the harmful effects of x-ray dye.  Using the drug to prevent damage to the kidneys is currently investigational.  The x-ray dye that is used in angiograms may irritate patients’ kidneys by slowing down blood flow to the kidneys.  Some individuals are at higher risk for x-ray dye nephropathy (nephropathy is a medical term for kidney disease) because their kidneys are already not functioning perfectly due to conditions such as diabetes or high blood sugars.  This study investigates how the drug affects kidney blood flow and kidney function when given through a small tube in a vein of the arm (IV) and by using a special tube called the Benephit catheter, which will be placed into both kidneys during the angiogram procedure.

Indication: Patients at risk for kidney damage during angiogram
Study ID: PATRICIA
Study Status: Enrolling new patients
The purpose of this study is to find out if a medicine that is currently approved to treat high blood pressure can also be used to protect kidneys from the harmful effects of x-ray dyes used in procedures such as angiograms.  The x-ray dyes are used to make the blood vessels visible, but may irritate kidneys by slowing down blood flow to the kidneys.  This is especially a concern for individuals whose kidneys are already not functioning perfectly.

 In this study, the medication will be given directly into the kidney using a special tube called the Benephit catheter, which will be placed into both kidneys during the angiogram procedure. Using this drug to prevent damage to the kidneys is currently investigational.

For more information about this study, please contact Maria Weskamp at (417) 820-9587.