Heart & Vascular Clinical Research

This is a listing of Loyola University Health System Heart & Vascular clinical research that is open and actively recruiting patients. Please click on the name of the research for a brief description, eligibility requirements and contact information. All research listed below have been approved by Loyola's Institutional Review Board chairman for promotion on our Web site.

For more information call (888) LUHS-888.

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Cardiovadiovascular Health: Arrhythmia

Multidisciplinary Study of Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)

This is a multidisciplinary, multicenter collaborative study to investigate the cardiac, clinical and genetic aspects of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). The primary goal is to identify 100 patients with definite ARVD and their family members. The study offers a substantial prospect of expanding the fund of clinical knowledge regarding ARVD and/or localizing the genetic mutation(s) responsible for this disorder.

Cardiovascular

SELECT-AF

The purpose of this study is to compare two different computer strategies to identify abnormal signals in the atrium for ablation that are not around the pulmonary veins.

Cardiovascular Health

CABANA Trial

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal, rapid heart rhythm coming from the upper chambers of the heart (atria). Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder. Instead of the heart beating in a steady pattern, in atrial fibrillation the upper chambers of the heart quiver rapidly in an unsteady manner. Atrial fibrillation may be treated with drug therapy designed to either prevent the heart rate from going too fast, or with drug therapy designed to maintain normal heart beating. In some institutions, atrial fibrillation also is treated with catheters inserted into blood vessels that can be placed inside the heart to eliminate the hot spots or triggers that start atrial fibrillation (catheter ablation). It is not known whether drug therapy or catheter ablation is better.

The Catheter Ablation Versus Anti-arrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation (CABANA) study is being done to compare drug therapy and catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study will help decide which treatment approach is best or when one or the other therapy is preferred. The CABANA study also will compare the cost of care for the two treatment approaches and determine the effect these therapies have on quality of life.

Cardiovascular Health: Diabetes

FREEDOM Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare two different methods of treatment for patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease in more than one heart vessel. The study seeks to evaluate whether drug-eluding stenting is more or less effective than coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Cardiovascular: Marfan Syndrome

Aortic Valve Surgery in Marfan Patients

The purpose of the trial is to collect information on how patients do after having surgery on their aortic valve and compare the results of those who had their valve replaced to those who had the valve repaired.