The goal of research...
The goal of research is to develop advances in the diagnosis of disease and establish better treatments using the latest modalities available through controlled trials. Advances in medicine are a result of these new ideas and approaches developed through years of research. A Clinical Trial is a research program in which patients volunteer to participate in studies that offer new and improved ways to treat patients and increase medical knowledge.
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CVRF) is constantly looking for and evaluating research studies related to cardiovascular diagnosis and care. Patients are referred by other physicians, hospitals, university centers or are self-referred. The research programs are supported by pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, universities and private sources. The results of the research trials are presented to the local community, at major national meetings and published in internationally recognized peer reviewed journals.
Current research topics being considered by CVRF
Detection and
Elimination of Atherosclerosis
- Coronary CT angiography as a tool for orphaned research in arteriosclerosis (CVMG is the leader in the field with advanced capabilities, and was chosen by GE to be a pioneer 64-Slice CT Center in Los Angeles).
- Early detection and prevention of CAD in high risk populations; i.e., juvenile diabetes
The big question: Can we effectively detect early coronary artery disease and prevent its development and/or progression?
For a complete brief on this research study that you can save to your computer or print, click here.
Advancement of clinical care through dissemination of Electronic Medical Record Technology – a “national policy” floundering
- Focus: data not found, data not entered, wrong data, unavailable data, drug related illnesses, and more.
- Potentially millions of deaths and billions of dollars: “As many as 195,000 people die every year in U.S. hospitals from potentially preventable medical errors, according to a 2004 study. Misread handwritten prescriptions, redundant tests and drug-interaction errors all could be reduced if practitioners could easily exchange information using electronic systems.”
- National expertise and experience on site: CVRF’s Medical Advisory Board physicians are pioneers in this area now working with ACC and luminary centers to provide open source and “free” software solutions for patient, physicians and institutions to develop a common platform for healthcare.
The big question: Can we help to eliminate and reduce errors in Medical Care and enforce national uniform standards of excellence?
Sudden Death due to Cardiac Electrical Events
- Steerable stylet patent: Improved method of implanting pacemaker leads.
- First paper written (NEJM) on the use of the Signal-Averaged-ECG in risk-stratifying patients with prior Myocardial Infarction.
- Lead investigator at CSMC in the use of “Bi-Ventricular” pacing in the treatment of heart failure. PI in the landmark Companion Study.
- Principle investigator on multiple drug development studies, including: Sotalol, Azimilide, Ibutilide.
The big question: Can we eliminate or reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death?
|
