CHART - Centers for Heart Failure Arrhythmia Research and Therapy

Dr. Leslie Saxon and her associates from the Departments of Medicine and Cardiothoracic surgery are conducting a research study to collect data and information on patients with congestive heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). The purpose of this study is to compile a national, clinical database studying the medical management and outcomes of patients with HF at risk for cardiac arrhythmia. Four hospitals in the United States, who are established leaders in treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias, are participating in this study. The four hospitals are the following: University of Southern California; University of California, San Francisco; Cleveland Clinic Foundation; and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The information collected will be used to determine how well a patient's current medical treatments work. It is hoped that the information gained from the study will help researchers learn more about HF and cardiac arrhythmias and their treatment and subsequently result in therapeutic improvements.

Guidant CONTAK RENEWAL 3 AVT

The severity of heart disease has driven continued efforts to improve treatments. A new clinical research study, lead by Dr. Leslie Saxon here at USC, is now underway to evaluate moderate to severe heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

The RENEWAL 3 AVT Study is a clinical trial for cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators that combine treatment for heart failure, atrial tachyarrhythmias, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Guidant DIARY Study (DIAgnostics in Resynchronization therapY)

The purpose of the DIARY study is to determine if there are observable differences in the CONTAK RENEWAL family CRT-D device-based patient diagnostics in the week prior to a HF hospitalization. The objective is to collect patient diagnostic data stored in the implanted RENEWAL device from patients when they are hospitalized for HF decompensation. The study is designed to enroll patients who have already received a Guidant CRT-D heart failure device as part of their prescribed medical care. No research devices are used in this investigational study.

The outcome of the this study will contribute to a long term goal of developing advanced patient management capabilities that permit implanted heart-failure therapy devices to contribute to early detection of incipient episodes of decompensation.

Medtronic COMPASS - Under Construction

MADIT-CRT

This is an international, multi-center device trial which is designed to test whether cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) will slow the progression of heart failure in heart attack survivors with impaired heart function. The trial will determine if earlier intervention with CRT-D therapy can slow a patient's progression from early stage heart failure (NYHA Class I-II) to late stage heart failure (NYHA Class III-IV).