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Research Studies        
Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease   Treatment of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis with Alteplase   Angioplasty/Stent Treatment of Blocked Arteries
Angioplasty/Stent Treatment of Blocked Arteries  

Coronary Artery Disease Research Study

Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease

Catheter-based treatment of coronary artery disease (Percutaneous coronary intervention)

If you have coronary artery disease, blocked arteries supplying blood to the heart, you may be eligible for diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment at the NIH Clinical Center. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure that treats blocked coronary arteries without surgery. PCI may include angioplasty (balloon opening of a blockage) and stenting (permanent implantation of a metal mesh to keep the artery open).

There is no cost to you for evaluation or treatment. You may be invited to participate in research studies, but your participation in research is NOT mandatory.

For further information please contact our research coordinator at 1-877-999-3099, e-mail CAD-Study@nih.gov
 
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Protocol Information

Disease and Treatment Information
 

 

Coronary Artery Disease Research Study

Angioplasty/Stent Treatment of Blocked Arteries

We provide standard catheter-based treatment for blocked arteries to the heart, leg, brain, kidney, and other organs. These treatments are not experimental. Patients are usually invited to participate in related experimental protocols, but they are not required to do so.

These standard treatments are offered in the high-quality care environment of the NIH Clinical Center, and are offered without charge.

Angioplasty is the use of a balloon-tipped catheter (tube), usually inserted through a tiny hole in the groin or wrist artery while the patient is mildly sedated. These catheters are used to open the blocked artery. Usually a stent, a permanent metal tube, is also implanted to improve blood flow through the artery.

These treatments are effective to relieve symptoms of blocked arteries, such as angina (chest pain or pressure during exertion caused by blocked arteries to the heart) or claudication (muscular leg pain during exercise caused by blocked arteries to the leg).
 
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Disease and Treatment Information
 

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis Research Study

Treatment of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis with Alteplase

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners). Although anticoagulants typically improve the symptoms of the DVT, they do not actually remove the clot itself. This process occurs naturally over weeks to months and often leaves the vein permanently damaged. As a result, patients sometimes have long-term pain and swelling. In the study described here patients are treated with an agent, alteplase, intended to make the clot dissolve within only a few days. The goal is not only to relieve acute symptoms but also to reduce the risk of chronic symptoms as well. Alteplase is injected directly into the clots through a thin tube under x-ray guidance. This treatment has been developed at NIH over a period of 10 years and has yielded good results. The current study is testing a much lower dose of alteplase than has been used in the past with the hope that this will enhance the safety of the treatment without compromising its effectiveness.

To be eligible a patient must have DVT involving the upper leg and/or pelvic veins. This must be the first time the patient has ever had DVT, and the symptoms (usually pain and swelling) must not have been present for more than 14 days. The treatment requires hospitalization usually for 3 - 7 days. Blood thinners are continued for 6 months, and the patients undergo re-evaluation after about 6 weeks and at the end of 6 months. The program is funded by the NIH and does not cost the patient anything, although patients are asked to pay for their travel expenses.

For more information contact Dr. Richard Chang at the Clinical Center at NIH, either by phone (301-402-0256) or email (rchang@cc.nih.gov).
 
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Protocol Information

Disease and Treatment Information
 

 

Peripheral Artery Disease Research Study

Angioplasty/Stent Treatment of Blocked Arteries

We provide standard catheter-based treatment for blocked arteries to the heart, leg, brain, kidney, and other organs. These treatments are not experimental. Patients are usually invited to participate in related experimental protocols, but they are not required to do so.

These standard treatments are offered in the high-quality care environment of the NIH Clinical Center, and are offered without charge.

Angioplasty is the use of a balloon-tipped catheter (tube), usually inserted through a tiny hole in the groin or wrist artery while the patient is mildly sedated. These catheters are used to open the blocked artery. Usually a stent, a permanent metal tube, is also implanted to improve blood flow through the artery.

These treatments are effective to relieve symptoms of blocked arteries, such as angina (chest pain or pressure during exertion caused by blocked arteries to the heart) or claudication (muscular leg pain during exercise caused by blocked arteries to the leg).
 
Email This Study To A Friend       View/Print PDF Version Of This Study

Disease and Treatment Information
 

 
 

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