Brigham and Women's Hospital is committed to finding new therapies for heart failure. We have many ongoing inpatient and outpatient research studies to offer to our patients. Areas of focus include:
Medication Studies:
Adenosine Receptor Blocker: For patients who have been admitted to the hospital with decompensated heart failure and renal impairment, we are involved in a study examining the effects of an intravenous (IV) medication on heart failure signs and symptoms and kidney function.
Investigator: Dr. Michael Givertz
Contact: Susan Anello, RN (617) 732-7174
New Drugs for Diastolic Heart Failure: Brigham and Women's Hospital is actively involved in outpatient studies for patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction to determine if certain oral medications can improve exercise tolerance and clinical outcomes.
Investigators: Dr. Akshay Desai
Contact: Kimberly Brooks, RN (617) 732-6237
Anemia and Heart Failure: An outpatient study is ongoing to determine if treating anemia with biweekly injections (shots) of a new medication can improve outcomes in heart failure patients.
Investigator: Dr. Eldrin Lewis
Contact: Susan Anello, RN (617) 732-7174
Causes of Cardiomyopathy: Approximately 50% of patients with a new diagnosis of cardiomyopathy or heart failure do not have a definite cause identified. Brigham and Women's Hospital is involved in a study to look at immunologic (the body attacking itself) and viral causes of heart failure. This study includes a heart biopsy.
Investigator: Dr. Kenneth Baughman
Contact: Susan Anello, RN (617) 732-7174
Device Therapies: Brigham and Women's Hospital is currently involved in studies to evaluate implantable cardiac devices. These investigational devices record and report the function of the heart at rest and during activities, and may help doctors to manage patients at home with heart failure.
Investigator: Dr. Lynne Stevenson
Contact: Kimberly Brooks, RN (617) 732-6237
Mechanical Circulatory Support and Cardiac Transplant: Studies are being done to assess the role of mechanical pumps in supporting patients with end-stage heart failure, some of whom are waiting for a heart transplant.
Investigator: Drs. Prem Shekar and Michael Givertz
Contact: Suzanne Kelly, RN (617) 732-7141
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