Central Cardiovascular Research Foundation

Central Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CCRF) began conducting clinical research in March of 1999.  Since its inception, CCRF has participated in numerous Phase II-IV clinical trials, including drug and device trials evaluating therapies for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias and heart failure, but with particular emphasis on devices being investigated for use in cardiac and vascular interventional procedures.  CCRF participated in three of the groundbreaking clinical trails evaluating carotid stenting, as well as covered stents for saphenous vein grafts, cooling as an adjunct to coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction, and drug-eluting stents among others. 

The two primary goals of CCRF are to conduct clinical research with excellence and integrity to benefit our patients while allowing the opportunity to utilize innovative devices.  We employ registered nurses who are certified clinical research coordinators (CCRC).  This is the highest level of accreditation in research, assuring the best provision of care to our patients and competence with regard to the latest FDA guidelines. The second goal of CCRF is focused on the provision of education to physicians and nurses on a broad range of topics including *gloves-on* peripheral intervention proctorship training programs for physicians, and lectures and training sessions for doctors and nurses alike.

ONGOING RESEARCH STUDIES AT CENTRAL CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE:

·    SYMBIOT III:  The purpose of this study is to see how safe and effective the SYMBIOT III stent is in treating coronary artery disease in the grafts from previous bypass surgeries.  The SYMBIOT III Covered Stent System is different from other stents because it has a special material covering the stent which is believed to reduce the chances of grafts re-blocking, and/or reduce the chance of a heart attack.
ENROLLMENT COMPLETED (Boston Scientific)

·    BEACH:  This study is being done to evaluate an investigational procedure called carotid artery stenting for patients who are at high risk for complications from surgery, using the Monorail Carotid Wallstent™ and the FilterWire EZ™ System.
ENROLLMENT COMPLETED (Boston Scientific)

·    MAVErIC II:  This study will evaluate an investigational procedure called carotid artery stenting for patients who are at high risk for complications from the standard surgery, using the Medtronic AVE Self-Expanding Carotid Stent System and the GuardWire® 3-6 Temporary Occlusion and Aspiration System.   
ENROLLMENT COMPLETED (Medtronic)

·    SPIRIT III: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new drug delivering stent system, the XIENCE™ V EECSS compared to the FDA approved TAXUS® EXPRESS2™ PEC System, in treating the narrowing of coronary arteries.
ENROLLMENT COMPLETED (Guidant)

·    IMPROVE-IT: This study is being done to compare two drugs, Vytorin® and Zocor®, and their effectiveness to lower LDL-C (“bad cholesterol”).  This will help to know if having a lower LDL-C level makes it less likely that people with coronary artery disease will develop unstable angina and heart attacks.
ENROLLMENT ONGOING (Schering-Plough)

·    PEGASUS CRT (Dr. Muse):  This study looks at three different programming levels for the CONTAK RENEWAL® cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).  The purpose of this study is to show how these modes may assist patients in daily activities.
ENROLLMENT ONGOING (Guidant)

UPCOMING STUDY

·    CAPTURE 2 (Dr. Wholey):  This study is being done to collect data about patients undergoing carotid artery stenting with the already approved Guidant ACCULINK stent together with the ACCUNET embolic protection device.
ENROLLMENT TO BEGIN October 2006 (Abbott)

If you are interested in obtaining more information or participating in one of the above listed studies then please call 210-212-8691.

Central Cardiovascular Institute of San Antonio 

Heart Plaza One
6800 IH-10 West, Suite 200
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 271-3203 Fax (210) 288-4215
Toll Free (877) 763-4025