Coronary Artery Treatments Currently Available in Research TrialsContact Information

The Box Hill Hospital and Eastern Health offer our patients the opportunity to consider a variety of investigational treatment options available only through clinical research trials. This information is intended as a general overview of the types of research in progress.

Prior to participation in any clinical research trial, a detailed description of the trial and its procedures would be provided and your written, informed consent obtained.

Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary and eligibility to participate is determined by the inclusion and exclusion criteria specific to each trial. You are encouraged to discuss any potential treatment options with your physician.

Glossary

Here are definitions that may be helpful for some terms used in this patient guide.

 
Coronary Artery Treatments Currently Available in Clinical Research Trials

 Drug Treatments

Blood thinning and anti-platelet drugs, some of which are already approved for clinical use, are being investigated in clinical trials during or after angioplasty to study their effectiveness in preventing blood clot formation.

Other drugs and contrast agents (dye) are being evaluated to see if they minimize impairment of kidney function for patients who are at increased risk for developing or worsening kidney problems after the use of dye.

 New Investigational Devices

Stents

New investigational designs and materials are now being used in the latest generation of stents, which may help to make the placement of the stent easier and/or reduce the risk of scar tissue formation. There are also drug-coated stents currently under evaluation for the prevention of restenosis. Examples of drugs and their common indications: Rapamycin (used in transplant to prevent rejection) and Taxol (used to treat cancer)

Distal Protection Devices

There are a variety of these devices being evaluated during angioplasty to prevent clots and plaque from dislodging and going downstream which may prevent heart attack or stroke. These devices are either in the form of tiny balloons or filters.

Thrombus Removal Devices

These are devices, currently being investigated, which are designed to remove blockages formed from blood clots by suctioning them out.

 Endovascular Therapeutics

Carotid Stenting

It has been shown that surgically widening the narrowed portion of your artery can significantly reduce the risk that you will have a major stroke in the future. A recently published, major clinical trial showed that angioplasty and stenting of the carotid artery was as beneficial and safe as surgery. Additional research trials in carotid stenting are in progress to confirm these results.

Investigational Neuroprotection Devices

Research trials are in progress to evaluate neuroprotection devices (same as distal protection devices) and their ability to reduce the chance of plaque dislodging and going to the brain during angioplasty. A tiny filter or balloon is placed in the artery during the stenting procedure to catch any debris that may be generated and prevent particles from traveling to the brain.

For More Information

This information is designed to introduce you to some of the investigational treatment options that may be available to you as part of a clinical trial.

If you would like to receive more information, you may contact a Clinical Research Coordinator at phone: 9895 3382.

Cardiology Department
Box Hill Hospital
Level 2, Nelson Road, Box Hill, 3128