Cardiovascular disease includes coronary artery disease arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), congestive heart failure (CHF), valvular heart disease, and the prevention of heart disease.

Arrhythmia is the term used to describe disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. Approximately 2.2 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation, one of the most common arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can occur and be of minimal consequence but they may also indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. Approximately 7 million Americans have coronary artery disease which results from atherosclerosis — the plaques in blood vessels (coronary arteries) that feed your heart. Diminished blood flow to your heart can cause chest pain (angina). A sudden, complete blockage can lead to a heart attack. Heart attacks caused by coronary artery disease result in the death of 500,000 Americans each year.

Heart failure is a debilitating condition in which the heart's ability to function as a pump is impaired. There are several causes of heart failure: the heart can become weakened by many disorders, such as chronic high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, a large heart attack, or diabetes; or can be brought on because the patient was born with structural defects in his or her heart. Patients with heart failure experience a progressive decline in their health. The progressive decline in their health results in an increased frequency of hospitalization and premature death. Heart Failure is the leading cause of death in nearly 5 million people in the United States of America every year. More than 300,000 deaths are associated with chronic heart failure and the cost of medical care, primarily resulting from hospitalization, exceeds $19 billion a year. Hospital admission rates for patients with chronic heart failure have increased in the last 20 years to the point that it now accounts for 5% of all medical admissions and is the leading cause of hospital admissions in patients over 65 years of age.

Coronary heart disease is multi-factorial and major risk factors have been identified which increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease. Among these are obesity, physical inactivity, family history of premature CHD, hypertriglyceridemia, small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, increased lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), increased serum homocysteine, and abnormalities in several coagulation factors. Prevention of heart disease is aimed at treating those risk factors which have been determined to increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease.

Cardiology Associates of West Reading is committed to research and providing patients, with cardiovascular disease, in Berks County and the surrounding region, the opportunity to participate in state of the art clinical trials. Research of cardiovascular disease and the treatment advances will contribute to improved treatment and mortality rates, reduced need for hospitalization and an improved quality of life.

Clinical trials are research studies done by physicians and other medical professionals to evaluate the natural course of cardiac disease and evaluate treatment and procedures used in the care of patients. Clinical trials help researchers determine the most effective treatments and explore new ways to help patients. The risks and benefits of a therapy are also evaluated during a clinical trial. Participants in clinical trials make a contribution to finding better ways to help other patients in the future. Current trials in which Cardiology Associates of West Reading are participating include:

ACCLAIM
This exciting trial sponsored by Vasogen is designed to evaluate the impact of immune modulation therapy on reducing mortality and morbidity in advanced chronic heart failure patients. The immune modulation therapy is being prepared and used in this trial under the trade name Celacade™ by Vasogen, Inc.. The phase III trial will enroll up to 2,000 patients at 100 leading cardiac centers in the United States and Canada.
Inflammation and the progressive damage it causes to the cells in the body may result in changes which lead to the development of congestive heart failure. Immune Modulation Therapy Celacade™ will be evaluated as to the relationship to successfully prevent or reduce the progression of disease in patients with NYHA Class II-IV disease.

Principle Investigator: René Alvarez, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.C.
Study Coordinator: Karen Shaner, RN BS
Contact number: 610-376-6565

LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System
Patient Registry for the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System

The Patient Registry for the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System, sponsored by Kaneka American Coorporation, continues to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System during long term therapy. The LIPOSORBER® LA-15 System is an apheresis procedure to remove LDL cholesterol and other Apo B-containing lipoproteins, including VLDL and Lp(a). The LDL-depleted plasma is then combined with the patient’s clood cellular elements and returned to the patients. Eligible participants include those individuals for whom diet has been ineffective and maximum drug therapy has either been ineffective or not tolerated.

Principle Investigator: Adam Feldman, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.C.
Study Coordinator: Joann Detweiler, MSN, CRNP
Contact number: 610-375-6565

RENEWAL
Guidant CONTAK® RENEWAL™ 3 AVT

The Guidant CONTAK® RENEWAL™ 3 AVT® is a multi-center research study sponsored by the Guidant Corporation. The study will evaluate individuals with known heart failure who are at risk of developing or have abnormally fast heartbeats (tachycardia) and need to an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to adequately treat their abnormally fast heartbeats. The study will include approximately 170 patients and last approximately 2 years. The study will test the new heart failure device called the RENEWAL™ 3 AVT® and the EASYTRAK 2 pacemaker lead which is inserted in a vein on the outside of the heart. The study will evaluate how well these devices work (safety) and the possible benefits of the system (effectiveness).

Principle Investigator: Charles Nydegger, M.D. F.A.C.C.
Study Coordinator: Robin Pfleger, RN BS
Contact number: 610-375-6565

REVERSE
(REsynchronization reVErses Remodeling in Systolic left vEntricular dysfunction)
This multi-center study, sponsored by Medtronic will compare how well patient outcomes of those patients who receive optimal medical therapy with those treated with both biventricular pacing and optimal medical therapy. Patients in this study will have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and will be enrolled from centers in the United States, Europe and Canada.)Cardiology Associates has participated in the following trials which are now closed to enrollment:

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