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Cardiovascular Research

Current Projects

Rule Out Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction Using
Computer Assisted Tomography (ROMICAT): A Randomized,
Controlled, Multicenter, Diagnostic Trial
Personnel
Issam Mikati, MD
Peter Pang, MD
Synopsis
The purpose of this study is to find out if  a test called “cardiac computed tomogaphy angiography” (CTA) can help doctors
in the emergency department (ED) safely and rapidly detect whether current symptoms are related to disease in the blood
vessels of the heart. 

Non-Invasive Goal-Directed Fluid Resuscitation Protocol in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Uncomplicated Sepsis and High Risk of Progression to Septic Shock 
Personnel 
Study personnel:
Peter Pang
Emilee Powell
Matt Pirotte
Linda Pierchala
Synopsis
The primary purpose of this emergency department (ED) study is to test whether a fluid resuscitation protocol guided by non-invasive hemodynamic measures can prevent patients presenting with uncomplicated sepsis from progressing to shock within 72 hours of enrollment.

Hypoperfusion in Acute Heart Failure Syndromes (AHFS): a pilot study 
Personnel
Peter Pang (Principle investigator)
Kori Sauser
Linda Pierchala (Research Nurse)
Evan Davis
Mike Schmidt
Synopsis
Over one million people are admitted to the hospital with AHFS every year in the United States.  Many of these same people will return to the hospital with the same diagnosis.  Currently we do not know whether a blood marker called lactate is increased in patients with AHFS. Lactate levels are known to rise when there are parts of the body that get decreased blood flow (called hypoperfusion).  We are looking to see whether patients coming to the hospital with AHFS have decreased blood flow, as seen by an increase in  blood lactate levels.

Early Use of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)
Personnel
Peter Pang (Principle investigator)
Bernice Ruo (Co-Principle investigator)
Linda Pierchala (Research Nurse)
Anne Chung
Heather Leonard
Kori Sauser
Nicole Klekowski
Andrew Schumacher
Manpreet Lakhan
Mark Monforti
Tiffany Simpson
Synopsis
Acute heart failure syndrome  can be either a gradual or rapid change in heart failure symptoms leading to a need for urgent treatment. Over one million people are hospitalized with AHFS every year in the United States.  Many of these same people will return to the hospital with the same diagnosis.  Currently, we do not have an established tool to measure patients’ symptoms in the Emergency Department.  The goal of this study is to establish a survey questionnaire that accurately measures symptoms, and quality of life of patients with heart failure in the Emergency Department.

Characterization of the Dyspneic Patient in the Emergency Room using Lung Ultrasound
Personnel
Peter Pang(Principle investigator)
Luna Gargani (visiting MD from Italy)
Kori Sauser
Nicholas Hartman
Linda Pierchala (Research Nurse)
Andrew Schumacher
Synopsis
This study is being done because we want to better understand patients who come to the emergency room with shortness of breath. We particularly want to understand, those who have trouble breathing because of sudden worsening of their acute heart failure.

Relax II
Personnel
Peter Pang (Principle investigator)
Mark Courtney
Amer Aldeen
Kori Sauser
Shelby Kaplan
Anne Chung       
Heather Leonard
William Cotts
Ashley-Alpana Khalap
Marcella Oliver
Liviu Klein
Jane Regaldo
Sadiya Khan
Synopsis
This study is being done to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of human relaxin (often simply referred to as “relaxin”), an investigational drug, in patients with AHF who also have high blood pressure and reduced kidney function. An investigational drug is one that is still being tested in research studies and is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).