Northern Indiana Research Alliance
(NIRA) is a vital component of the Heart Center
Medical Group, a team of health care professionals
focused on patient personalization, prevention
and wellness, and improving quality of life.
Research helps provide patients with the best
treatments available. The Heart Center Medical
Group has participated in research since 1993.
Since then, more than fifty clinical research
trials have been conducted at this site. Our
research department has grown into the Northern
Indiana Research Alliance, a complete in-house
research department. NIRA has an active research
committee consisting of multi-specialty physicians
and medical staff dedicated to research.
What new treatments
may be on the horizon? Innovative procedures
and new medications are introduced in clinics
participating in clinical research projects.
Below is a list of currently enrolling
and upcoming studies:
Hypertension study – the purpose
of this study is to test the effectiveness of three
different drugs in patients with high blood pressure
and left ventricular hypertrophy. Two of the drugs
are FDA-approved; the third is still being tested. Dr.
Scott Mattson is the physician in charge of
this study.
Congestive Heart Failure
Study – the
purpose of this study is to look at new blood
tests that
will help determine early presence of Congestive
Heart Failure. It involves a single visit with
a lab draw collecting blood samples. Dr.
Robert Swint is the physician in charge of this study.
Unstable
Angina or Heart Attack study – This
study is looking at the safety and effectiveness
of aspirin in combination with an investigational
drug, compared to aspirin in combination
with an FDA-approved drug, in helping to prevent
blood
clots from forming. The drugs work by acting
on the blood cells that form blood clots. Patient’s
who are admitted to the hospital with unstable
angina or heart attack, and require an
angioplasty and stent may qualify for this
study. Dr.
Vijay Chilakamarri is the physician in charge
of this
study.
Carotid
artery stenosis study – This
study is for patients who have carotid
artery stenosis
requiring surgery or a stent. Patients
enrolled in the study receive either surgery
or a stent
to open a narrowing in the artery. Because
this is a randomized study, qualified patients
will
have an equal chance of receiving either
treatment. The purpose of this study is
to compare the results
of treating blockages in the carotid arteries
with either surgery or carotid stenting. Dr. Steven
Orlow and Dr.
Vijay Chilakamarri are the
physicians in charge of this study.
High Cholesterol Study – This study is for patients admitted to the hospital with angina or a heart attack. The study is comparing the benefit of a combination drug for treating high cholesterol against a single drug for treating high cholesterol. Dr.
Vijay Chilakamarri is the physician in charge of this study.
Type II Diabetes Study – This study is for patients whose diabetes is not well controlled on two or more medications to control blood sugar, and who are about to start on insulin therapy. Patients will receive either twice daily insulin or once daily insulin in addition to their current diabetes pills to help control blood sugars. Dr. Kent Farnsworth is the physician in charge of this study.
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Study – This is for patients who have suffered a stroke as a result of Patent Foramen Ovale (when the septum dividing the two upper chambers of the heart does not completely close, this leaves an opening between the two upper chambers called a “PFO.”) Patients are randomized to receive either the best medical therapy of a PFO closure device, which is inserted in during a cardiac catheterization. Dr. Krishnan Ramani is an investigator in this study.
NIRA (Northern Indiana Research Alliance)
Medical Group of Fort Wayne
7916 West Jefferson Blvd.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46804
Phone: 260 434-6478 or 260 434-6325
Fax: 260 434-6081
E-mail: research@hcmgmail.com
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