Cardiology

We have established a number of cardiac programs, ensuring patients receive the highest quality care. We work closely with our colleagues at Brigham and Women's Hospital, managing each and every case with a personalized approach. We also offer a support group to defibrillator/ICD patients.

Cardiac Telemedicine

Using specialized information technology (IT) and video-conferencing, this program allows physicians at Care New England facilities to communicate with their colleagues at Brigham & Women's Hospital about complex intensive care patients.

Congestive Heart Failure Population Health Management

Care New England was awarded a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Grant to develop a system-wide infrastructure that allows for improved communication and technology use between providers related to the care of patients with congestive heart failure. The goal of the program is to reduce hospital readmissions for congestive heart failure.

Cardiovascular Clinical Research

Care New England cardiovascular services has active clinical trials that are recruiting patients in such areas as arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.

Community outreach

One of the most important goals of the cardiovascular program at Care New England is to educate and support patients in their local communities. From "Day of Dance" celebrations related to women's cardiovascular health to support groups for defibrillator/ICD patients, Care New England cardiologists are committed to community service. Call (401) 681-4996 to learn more.

Cardiac Wellness Program

Our experienced Care New England Wellness Center team will work with you to create an individualized exercise program to meet your specific needs. An exercise physiologist will provide weekly blood pressure and heart rate readings, and ECG and glucose monitoring as needed. The cardiac maintenance team will educate you about nutrition, lifestyle modification and weight loss to help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Please visit the Cardiac Wellness Program or call (401) 732-3066 to learn more.

The Brigham and Women's Cardiovascular Associates at Care New England offer a variety of clinical trials - some of which make cutting edge treatments available - to patients who meet eligibility requirements.

For more information on any of these studies or to see if you qualify, please call 401-681-4996.

ISCHEMIA study-enrollment began September, 2013

This study aims to determine whether an invasive strategy (routine early cardiac catheterization with intent for optimal revascularization) in addition to optimal medical therapy reduces the incidence of the composite of cardiovascular death or nonfatal myocardial infarction compared with a conservative strategy of optimal medical therapy alone (cardiac catheterization and revascularization reserved for patients with refractory angina, ACS, acute ischemic HF or resuscitated cardiac arrest).

Who qualifies?

• Patients with stable ischemic heart disease and at least moderate ischemia on stress imaging can qualify (nuclear stress test or stress echo).

Who is excluded?

• History of CABG.
• PCI within the previous 12 months.
• LVEF less than 35 percent.
• History of unprotected left main stenosis more than 50 percent on prior coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) or prior cardiac catheterization (if available).
• Prior known coronary anatomy unsuitable for either PCI or CABG.
• Unacceptable level of angina despite maximal medical therapy.
• Acute coronary syndrome within the previous two months.

RAID study-enrollment

This study aims to determine whether ranolazine administration will decrease the likelihood of a composite arrhythmia endpoint consisting of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) requiring ATP therapy, ICD shocks, or death. Patients will receive either ranolazine or placebo during the trial.

Who qualifies?

The study population will consist of patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with existing devices (ICD/CRT-D) and meet the criteria listed below:

• Qualified for or with existing ICD after documented VT/VF or cardiac arrest.
• Patients with existing devices (ICD/CRT-D), who have experienced at least ONE episode of VT/VF appropriately treated with ICD therapy (ATP or shock).
• Patients who have been implanted within the last two years (initial ICD/CRT-D implants, including upgrades from pacemakers) who have NOT experienced VT/VF treated with ICD therapy (ATP or shock), AND who have ONE of the following additional criteria BUN≥26 mg/dl or QRS>120ms or Atrial Fibrillation.

RELAX-2 study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of IV serelaxin when added to standard therapy in acute heart failure (AHF) patients. The primary objective is to demonstrate that serelaxin is superior to placebo in reducing CV death in acute heart failure patients during a follow-up period of 180 days.

Who qualifies?

The study population will consist of patients admitted to the hospital for AHF with mild to moderate renal impairment. Patients will be randomized within 16 hours from presentation to hospital/ER.

Ranolazine mediated PVC reduction in ischemic heart disease study

This is an Investigator Sponsored Research (ISR) program funded by Gilead Sciences. The purpose of this study is to determine if Ranolazine, through a reduction in PVC burden, can manifest beneficial effects on coronary ischemia.

Who qualifies?

• History of ischemic heart disease (prior bypass or coronary stenting, documentation on cardiac catheterization, nuclear SPECT imaging, cardiac MR, stress echocardiography, or exercise stress testing).
• Elevated PVC burden (1 percent) on prior holter/event monitor in previous 12 months or evidence for PVC(s) on baseline ECG within prior 12 months.