There are more than 300 ongoing research projects at MemorialCare at any given time, from cystic fibrosis to cancer and heart issues working to ensure MemorialCare is at the forefront of the treatments and cures of tomorrow. MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center houses a vast majority of MemorialCare’s research studies.
Among the research projects at Long Beach Medical Center, the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute team leads innovative clinical trials like InCarda Therapeutics Phase 3 RESTORE-1 Trial of InRhythmTM, which will revolutionize the way AFib is treated and the Imagining Team manages on clinical trials like the Kronos Study which offers safer biopsy procedures.
MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center is the first in the world to enroll a patient for the InCarda Therapeutics Phase 3 RESTORE-1 Trial of InRhythmTM study.
The RESTORE-1 study uses inhalation through the lungs to get medicine to the heart, similar to an asthma inhaler. The "first pass" of the medicine is delivered directly to cardiac tissue, giving a small but effective dose of the drug to those infected regions of the heart. This study is for patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib). This medicine allows for rapid-onset treatment and enables the patient to administer the drug anywhere when they have an AFib episode by restoring sinus rhythm and relieving AFib-related symptoms in patients with recent onset, newly diagnosed, or recurrent AFib.
"We are excited to have enrolled the first patient in the RESTORE-1 study, as we believe that orally inhaled flecainide has the potential to offer AFib patients a more rapid and non-invasive treatment for restoring normal sinus rhythm," said Mark Lee, M.D., medical director, Cardiac Rhythm Management,
MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, Long Beach Medical Center.
Along with revolutionizing the way AFib can be treated, the ARISE-Study is increasing the survival rate for people experiencing a cardiac arrest in the hospital. The study uses a catheter-based balloon inserted through the groin into the aorta to help improve circulation and blood flow to the brain, while simultaneously administering standard treatment. This can assist in efforts to restart the heart – increasing the chance of survival and full neurologic recovery.
“The potential results of this study and device could change how we manage cardiac arrests in hospital settings,” said David Shavelle, M.D., medical director, Adult Cardiology & Interventional Lab, MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, Long beach Medical Center. “If we can augment our standard treatment protocols to give cardiac arrest patients a greater chance of restarting their heart, this could be a game changer and an advancement desperately needed in the medical community.”
In addition to the RESTORE-1 Study and ARISE-Study, MemorialCare Imaging Center performed the first treatment in North America with a Kronos Electrocautery device designed to improve the safety of biopsy procedures, using large gauge needles that go through the skin to collect the biopsy. The Kronos Electrocautery device is a single-use, disposable device that uses battery current to heat the probe tip to cauterize the tissue damaged by the biopsy tools to prevent bleeding. The device offers a breakthrough solution for patients undergoing biopsy at high risk of bleeding complications – like seniors or those with advanced illnesses.
"The Kronos device produced excellent clinical results and gives more opportunity to get the specialized biopsies needed to diagnose or treat an ailment. It offers a breakthrough solution for patients undergoing percutaneous biopsy who are at high risk of bleeding complications," said David Tahour, M.D., director, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Long Beach Medical Center.
MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute and MemorialCare Imaging Center at Long Beach Medical Center are committed to sustained investment in clinical research to continue improving the community's quality of life.
To learn more about Dr. Lee, Dr. Shavelle, and Dr. Tahour's research and the 300 other studies conducted at MemorialCare, including Long Beach Medical Center, visit MemorialCare.org/Research.