SC Cardiologists participate in Chronic Heart Failure Treatment Study

[May 30, 2018]   Springfield Clinic cardiologists are approved to enroll patients in a global study to test a new therapy for chronic heart failure. The drug, MK-1242 (vericiguat), will be tested against a placebo to see if it’s a safe, viable addition to normal treatment for decreasing heart failure-related hospital visits and increasing longevity.

Chronic heart failure is an incurable condition where the heart muscle can’t pump properly due to weakness or damage. Damage to the heart can be caused by a single event, like a heart attack, or long-term conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease; once the heart is damaged, it can’t heal. According to the study protocol, heart failure is a leading cause of disease and death due to cardiovascular issues and “constitutes a major public health problem worldwide.” In the US, an estimated 5.1 million people have heart failure.

Adeeb Ahmed, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FACP, Yasmin Hamirani, MD, and principal investigator Ish Singla, MD, are the participating physicians at Springfield Clinic. Merck, the study sponsor, approached the Clinical Research team and the doctors to bring Springfield Clinic on as a study site and begin recruiting central Illinois patients for this global study, which will include nearly 5,000 patients worldwide. Drs. Ahmed, Hamirani and Singla have all participated in numerous research studies before, and this will be the first collaboration for them in the Springfield Clinic Cardiology Department.

Eligible patients can still join the study if they are interested in participating. Patients who have been hospitalized with heart failure symptoms in the last six months or have required IV diuretics for an acute outpatient heart failure episode within the last three months may be considered for the study. Patients will be followed until the required number of cardiovascular events have occurred, approximately 10–18 months.

Patients interested in being screened for participation can call Springfield Clinical Research at 217.528.7541 ext. 14664. Patients who participate in the study receive study-related visits and medication free of charge, along with a stipend to cover the cost of travel or other expenses.

About Springfield Clinic

Springfield Clinic is a progressive, physician-led multispecialty medical group devoted to providing the highest quality health care to its patients. More than 400 physicians and advanced practitioners deliver value-based care in approximately 80 medical specialties and sub- specialties. As one of the largest private multispecialty medical clinics in Illinois, Springfield

Clinic currently employs over 2,000 clinical and administrative staff members who are committed to leadership in quality, service and technology. For more information, go to www.Springfield Clinic.com.

[Rachel Gasperin
Springfield Clinic Marketing & Communications Dept.]