North Cascade Cardiology

Research

North Cascade Cardiology's mission is to provide excellence in cardiovascular care to our patients and a research program helps assure we fulfill that commitment.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.  Research involving cardiology investigates ways to learn more about how the heart functions and ways to help prevent or treat heart disease.  Treatments studied may include medications, therapies, and devices (such as stents), or lifestyle changes that address the problems associated with heart disease.

The research capabilities of North Cascade Cardiology, PLLC play an important role in bringing patients the most advanced therapies.  A number of clinical trials aimed at developments in cardiac care are in progress at North Cascade Cardiology.  These trials are national and international studies in which data and outcomes from multiple sites are compiled.

 

We are currently enrolling in these investigational studies:

A clinical trial of cholesterol lowering medications for patients who, within the past 10 days, have experienced Acute Coronary Syndrome, Unstable Angina or Myocardial Infarction, and who have had their cholesterol levels checked within 24 hours of admission into the hospital.  These subjects may receive one of two FDA approved medications used for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.
There will be approximately 12,500 subjects enrolled from approximately 1,000 sites in countries around the world with approximately 20 subjects from North Cascade Cardiology, PLLC.
The Principal Investigator is Dr. William Lombardi.
 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00202878?term=Improve+IT&rank=1

 

A clinical trial of an investigational drug which blocks platelets for patients who have Coronary Artery Disease (History of Myocardial Infarction > 2 weeks but < 12 months), Ischemic  Cerebrovascular Disease, or Peripheral Artery Disease.  Patients currently receiving stable standard of care anti-platelet therapy will have a 50:50 opportunity to receive either this new investigational drug or Placebo, an inactive pill having no effect.
There will be approximately 20,000 subjects enrolled from sites around the world with approximately 75 subjects from North Cascade Cardiology, PLLC.
The Principal Investigator is Dr. Thomas A Oliver.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00526474?term=TRA+2P+TIMI+50&rank=1

 

Carotid stent registry study to collect medical data about patients receiving a carotid stent for narrowed carotid (neck) artery or arteries.  These are patients who, due to their health conditions, are at high risk for carotid artery surgery.  These patients must meet the Medicare guidelines for having a carotid stent placed in combination with an embolism protection device, a filter basket designed to catch material (blood clots and fatty material).  The devices used in this study have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
There will be approximately 10,000 subjects enrolled from approximately 275 clinical sites in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. 
The Principal Investigator is Dr. David Jessup.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00403078?term=sapphire&rank=5

 

CHOICE Study
Carotid stent registry study to collect medical data about patients receiving a carotid stent for narrowed carotid (neck) artery or arteries.  These are patients who, due to their health conditions, are at high risk for carotid artery surgery.  These patients must meet the Medicare guidelines for having a carotid stent placed in combination with an embolism protection device, a filter basket designed to catch material (blood clots and fatty material).  The devices used in this study have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
There will be approximately 5,000 subjects enrolled from approximately 500 clinical sites in the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. 
The Principal Investigator is Dr. David Jessup.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00406055?term=Carotid+Stent+CHOICE&rank=1

 

A clinical trial for patients who have had a stroke and have an opening in the heart called a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). Patients will be randomized, like the flip of a coin, to receive either PFO closure with a PFO Occluder Device (Investigational Device) or Standard of Care medical treatment with either Aspirin alone, Coumadin alone, Clopidogrel alone or Aspirin combined with dipyridamole.  The study is designed to evaluate device closure of PFO versus medical management to prevent a recurrent stroke.
There will be approximately 500 subjects enrolled from 60 sites across the United States.
The Principal Investigator is Dr. David Jessup.
http://www.strokecenter.org/trials/TrialDetail.aspx?tid=482

 

A clinical trial for patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This study will look at two different approaches for patient care:  One group will come to the clinic for regular in-office visits.  The other group will be managed from home (remotely) by having the device send information from a home monitor that plugs into an analog (not digital) telephone line.  In this method the doctor or nurse can look at the information without patients needing to go to the clinic.  This study will look at the time it takes for a clinician to make a decision and the effects of getting this information sooner.
There will be approximately 2000 patients enrolled at about 150 clinical centers throughout the nation.
The Principal Investigator is Dr. Jonathan Lowy.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00402246?term=CONNECT&rank=1

 

A clinical trial for patients receiving an implantable Cardioverter Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator device (CRT-D).  FDA approved Remote home monitoring equipment including a communicator, a weight scale and a blood pressure monitor will be ordered for the subject to be used with an analog (not digital) telephone line.  The study will assess the type and frequency of alerts and alert related medical interventions.     
There will be 500 to 1000 subjects enrolled from approximately 100 centers nationwide.
The Principal Investigator is Dr. John MacGregor.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00334451?term=RAPID+RF&rank=1

 

For more information on other clinical studies, please contact our
Research Department at 1-360-543-7609.

Additional Websites to review:

Understanding Clinical Trials
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand

Glossary of Clinical Trials Terms
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/glossary