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Endovascular
The endovascular team at CRF has pioneered numerous endovascular
initiatives. The group has taken a leadership role in defining
a comprehensive approach to vascular care in patients and has
led research and education in this area. This is a multidisciplinary
effort that treats the entire vascular system – coronary,
carotid, and peripheral. The group has performed and published
more research on carotid stenting than any other group or organization
in the world. With a history of pioneering achievements including
the placement of the first coronary stent in the USA in 1987 by
Gary S. Roubin, MD, PhD; the team continues today to perform groundbreaking
research in radiation therapy, embolic protection devices, and
gene therapy. The group also runs one of the largest peripheral
interventional research and education forums every year: Advanced
Endovascular Therapies.
Pharmacology
Dr Dangas leads the pharmacology
initiatives at CRF. These initiatives focus on the study of drugs
that can be used in conjunction with interventional techniques
and devices. CRF is in a unique position to conduct this research
thanks to the wealth of interventional activities and investigations
taking place under its auspices. In addition to the use of drugs
by traditional delivery methods, the group studies the use of
drug-coated stents – effectively using the stent itself
as a delivery mechanism for drugs to prevent the formation of
scar tissue.
New Device Development
CRF and its faculty have played a critical role in the development
and clinical testing of virtually every interventional cardiology
device available today. From conception to FDA approval and beyond,
CRF works together with academia, industry and the medical community
to foster advances in technology that translate into better patient
outcomes. CRF has been instrumental in the approval, evolution,
and improvement of the stent and is currently leading clinical
trials with drug-eluting stents.
Clinical Trials
With a base of leadership in interventional cardiology and an
active group of physicians involved in patient care, CRF has become
a leader in clinical trials. With a dedicated Data Coordinating
Center for the longitudinal study of patient data, the Core Lab
infrastructure to support multifaceted studies, and a remarkable
depth of clinically active physicians, CRF is in a unique position
to lead clinical trials. Many trials are conducted exclusively
at CRF; and for trials requiring larger numbers of patients, CRF
works with an international network of world-class medical centers
for collaboration in multicenter trials. CRF has led trials in
stent placement, drug-coated stents, and brachytherapy, and is
actively in collaboration with the FDA, both in the pre-approval
process and increasingly in the post-market surveillance of recently
approved drugs and devices. More
on Clinical Trials...
Data Coordinating Center
Led by Dr Mehran, the Data Coordinating
Center (DCC) provides an unparalleled resource for the longitudinal
study of important data from the thousands of patients who are
treated with interventional procedures by the clinicians at CRF.
The DCC now has over 15,000 patients in its registry, allowing
the study of patient outcomes and cost effectiveness and providing
a resource that has led to many publications in cardiovascular
research. The center is unique in its focus not only on gathering
data for the product approval process, but also following outcomes
and results post-approval, setting it apart from typical clinical
research organizations.
The DCC derives particular breadth and depth from the clinical
experience of CRF physicians and is in a unique position to foster
the highest level of research and, ultimately, education. More
on Data Coordinating Center...
MRI
CRF's Cardiovascular MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Program,
led by Dr Wolff, carries out
research and education programs in a cutting-edge clinical environment.
Cardiac MRI can provide a wealth of information through clinical
studies of: cardiac function, morphology, myocardial perfusion,
myocardial viability and infarct sizing, valvular assessment,
and the vasculature. More on MRI...
Women's Health Initiative
The Women's Health Initiative, led by Dr
Lansky, includes CME (Continuing Medical Education) programs,
public forums and patient education initiatives, women-specific
clinical trials, symposia at major national meetings (eg, ACC,
AHA), fundraising events, brochures and publications, a Women's
Health CD-ROM series, and Web-based programs. CRF serves as the
research affiliate of WomenHeart, a patient advocacy group. More
on Women's Health...
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