Researchers at our heart center initiate a $27 million investigation into Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)
In a significant development for heart failure management, a groundbreaking study is set to be launched by the University of Rochester Medical Center, with a potential funding of $27 million. The study, led by Ilan Goldenberg, MD, and involving a team of researchers from the university, is pending final approval from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) staff and the issuance of a formal award contract.
The study, which will enroll more than 3,000 patients at 115 sites across the U.S. and Canada, aims to decrease the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for patients with heart failure. ICDs are standard therapy for the treatment of deadly arrhythmias, but research suggests that when patients receive a personalized and optimized regimen of certain drug therapies, they are less likely to require an ICD.
The study will conduct a head-to-head comparison of patient outcomes using medications alone or with an ICD. This comparative approach could lead to enhanced patient selection, optimized device settings, exploration of new technologies, and improved patient care pathways, potentially filling an important evidence gap for various healthcare decision-makers.
The study has received support and endorsement from global institutions such as the Heart Rhythm Society, the American Heart Association, Women Heart, the Association of Black Cardiologists, the European Heart Rhythm Society, and the European Heart Failure Society. Notable figures, including U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Joe Morelle, have expressed their support for the study, highlighting its potential to advance clinical care practices and save lives.
Key personnel for the study include Wojciech Zareba, MD, PhD, and Robert Strawderman, ScD as principal and co-principal investigators for the data coordinating center. Valentina Kutyifa, MD, PhD, co-chairs the recruitment and retention core, while David Huang, MD, chairs the arrhythmia and ICD events adjudication core. Christopher Beck, MA, PhD, co-chairs the statistical core.
As the study progresses, it is expected that the University of Rochester Medical Center will enroll participants and perform analysis of all data. The collaboration for this study extends beyond the U.S. and Canada, involving scientists from various institutions across the globe.
While specific details about the study are yet to be finalized, the potential impact on the use of ICDs for heart failure patients is significant. By optimizing drug therapies and potentially reducing the need for ICDs, the study could lead to improved patient outcomes and a more personalized approach to heart failure management.
The research study, led by Ilan Goldenberg at the University of Rochester Medical Center, aims to investigate the efficacy of drug therapies in managing heart failure, potentially decreasing the need for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). This investigative work, which involves global collaborations, could fill an important evidence gap in cardiovascular health, medical-conditions, and health-and-wellness, ultimately leading to improved patient care pathways and optimized device settings. Furthermore, the study is expected to influence the selection of patients, explore new technologies, and potentially enhance the lives of thousands with heart failure.