Research Activities

Is your cardiac center participating in on-going research and clinical trials?

We’re glad you asked, because we believe our involvement in research and clinical trials is more than just your assurance that our services and diagnostic procedures are completely up-to-date. It can be your lifeline. It reveals that we are at the forefront of the field and therefore can offer you those medical advances that are available today as well as those that are emerging for tomorrow.

Just as we value our research and are proud of our capabilities, we believe that you should be diligent in your research efforts, too. Here are some things about our research department that you should know.

• HVHC does more than participate in clinical trials, we are a center for comprehensive clinical trials under the direction of a full time Clinical Research Director assisted by full time Clinical Research RN Coordinators and Research Assistants.
• We are one of top 5 enrolling sites in the country. The quality of our staff and our department has been evaluated for a number of criteria including the number of people who participate in cardiovascular research. We rank among the top five centers nationwide.
• HVHC is a resource for the latest diagnostic procedures. There are over 20 board certified cardiologists affiliated with our center which is located literally right across the street from a tertiary care center also ranked among the nation’s finest.
• We have been established as a research center for more than 15 years.
• All studies are completely voluntary and are done at no extra cost to the patient. In addition, patients who participate in studies may be seen more frequently, which can be a health benefit.

Whether you are a referring physician or a patient interested in participating in research, we urge you to call so we can tell you more about these studies and what they can mean to you.

Mission Statement
We contribute to cutting-edge, evidence-based techniques in medicine through participation in cardiac research, providing innovative technology to the community. We foster an environment that is committed to excellence in cardiac care and research with a focus on participant safety and integrity.

Vision Statement
Our vision is to expand our Research Department and its repertoire in cardiac research, allowing our practitioners to expand their knowledge in cardiology in an effort to become the leader in cardiac care and research not only in the Hudson Valley, but throughout the country.

Active Trials

Acute Coronary Syndrome
The Hudson Valley Heart Center studies patients who have been admitted to the hospital because of heart attack or symptoms of cardiac ischemia, which include chest pain, chest tightness, dizziness, and/or nausea. Some studies involve patients who have a history of heart attack, stroke or “peripheral arterial disease” (PAD) which means hardening of the arteries in the legs and arms, for example. In addition, some studies are specifically designed to follow patients who have undergone angioplasty, or have had a “stent” or device to keep the artery opened, placed in an artery of the heart.

Congestive Heart Failure
Patients with congestive heart failure in which the heart does not pump blood effectively may be recruited for further study. These studies look at patients who have come to the hospital with symptoms of shortness of breath with minimal activity, difficulty sleeping while lying flat, and/or persistent cough, and been told that they have heart failure. We also recruit patients who have been seen in the doctor’s office for a reemergence of heart failure symptoms for which the doctor administers intravenous therapy.

Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Rhythm Disturbances
When patients exhibit active symptoms of atrial fibrillation in which chambers of the heart do not beat properly or they require blood thinners to prevent stroke, they may become candidates for HVHC organized studies. Our electrophysiology lab also recruits patients who have other heart rhythm disturbances and require a pacemaker or defibrillator to help the heart beat effectively.

Office-Based and Hospital-Based Trials
Hospital-based studies involve patient participation during their hospital stay with follow-up visits at the Hudson Valley Heart Center or over the telephone. Office-based studies are conducted entirely at the Hudson Valley Heart Center. Some of our studies involve FDA approved medications for new indications, while some involve new medications that are not yet routinely available to the public. In addition, we research new technology and devices that may prove life-saving to patients with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.

For further information, contact:
Camille Finkle
Clinical Research Director
Hudson Valley Heart Center
(845) 473-1188 ex. 1210
cmfinkle@hvheartcenter.com