 
                    Heart & Vascular Research and Clinical Trials
Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular is a leading center in clinical research.
 
Advancing Care in Cardiac Medicine
Our work advances care in cardiac medicine by helping to improve technology and treatment approaches. Our physicians and research staff are passionate about improving health outcomes and options for patients. Much of the clinical research we do involves participation in large national clinical trials and registries that look to increase the scope of knowledge of cardiovascular disease and innovative approaches to treatment.
Our clinical trials include:
- Studies of new devices and new treatment strategies within the following specialties: electrophysiology, vascular surgery, structural heart, echocardiography, cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology
- National, multicenter clinical trials as well as large, disease-specific registries
- Investigator led research
 
Why Participate in Research and Clinical Trials?
Participating in a clinical trial may provide you and other patients with benefits that include:
- Prompt access to the latest advances in treatment that are not yet available to the public
- Collaborative, leading-edge care delivered by a team of researchers and clinicians
- Advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine by helping to improve technology and treatment approaches
- The opportunity to take an active role in your own health care
 
Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular Research
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Our program has a history of partnering with healthcare companies to develop effective cardiac rhythm devices, catheter-based diagnostics, ablation techniques and workflows. We critically evaluate emerging technologies and techniques to provide the most effective and advanced care for patients. Charlton Memorial Hospital was the first hospital in the country to perform a pulsed field ablation with Medtronic’s Pulse Select System during the pivotal trial.
Cardiac Surgery
Our cardiac surgery department trials new treatment techniques for patients with long standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
Cardiovascular Imaging Program
We participate in new technological innovations that enable clinicians to improve cardiac imaging performance. This is just one more way Southcoast Heart & Vascular takes part in research advancing care and provide the right patient management tools to refine outcomes.
Interventional Cardiology
We take part in clinical trials, providing patients with access to the latest treatment options including important work on cardiac catheterization outcomes in patients with COVID.
Structural Heart
Our program participates in randomized national trials seeking to improve outcomes for patients trialing devices such as left atrial appendage occluders Watchman and Amulet, and PFO Occluder Amplatzer Talisman.
Vascular Surgery
We partner with leading medical device companies treating conditions such as peripheral artery disease, critical limb threatening ischemia, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and carotid artery stenosis. Dr. Richard Pin was the first to enroll and treat a patient in Abbott’s LIFE BTK PK study, trialing a drug-eluting bioresorbable scaffold in patients with critical limb ischemia.
How to Inquire About Participation
If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, contact your doctor to inquire about potential trials related to your condition.
 
Clinical Trials Open to Enrollment
Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular is proud to contribute to cardiovascular research and trials. We recognize the crucial role in advancing patient health, treatment options and fostering continuous growth within our program to best serve our community.
Carotid Artery Stenting Using a Neuroguard IEP
Protection Against Emboli During Carotid Artery Stenting Using a Neuroguard IEP Direct 3-in-1 Delivery System Comprised of a Post Dilation Balloon, Inegrated Embolic Filter, and a Novel Carotid Stent III/ PERFORMANCE III
Contego
Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of direct carotid access for stenting using
the Neuroguard IEP® Direct System in subjects at elevated risk for adverse events
following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for carotid artery stenosis.
Dr. Richard Pin
Dr. Mark Perry
NCT# 05845710
Post-Approval Study Protocol for Hybrid Convergent of Epicardial and Endocardial RF Ablation
Post-Approval Study Protocol for Hybrid Convergent of Epicardial and Endocardial RF Ablation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Long-standing Persistent AF (CONVERGE POST-APPROVAL STUDY (PAS))
AtriCure
Objective: The primary objective of CONVERGE PAS is to evaluate clinical outcomes (peri-procedural and long-term) in a cohort of patients treated during commercial use of the EPi-Sense® Guided Coagulation System to treat symptomatic long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who are refractory or intolerant to at least one Class I and/or III AAD.
Dr. Nitesh Sood
Dr. Ramin Davoudi
Dr. Arnold Giedrimas
Dr. Jacob Kriegel
Dr. Peter Lee
Currently enrolling
NCT# 05393180
STOP AF PAS
STOP AF PAS
Medtronic
Objective: Demonstrate the superiority of cryoballoon ablation as compared to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy in terms of the rate of freedom from atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter in a non-drug refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation population.
Dr. Nitesh Sood
Dr. Ramin Davoudi
Dr. Arnoldas Giedrimas
NCT# 027532737
Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy
A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Global Study Comparing Pulsed Field Ablation versus Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapy as a First Line Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation/AVANT GUARD
Boston Scientific
Objective: The purpose of this study is to establish the safety and effectiveness of pulsed
field ablation as a first-line ablation treatment for subjects with persistent atrial
fibrillation as compared to subjects who received an initial treatment with antiarrhythmic
drugs.
Dr. Nitesh Sood
Dr. Arnoldas Giedrimas
NCT# 06096337
Long-Term Safety and Outcomes of Treating Pulmonary Embolism
STRIKE PE: A Prospective, Multicenter Study of the Indigo Aspiration System Seeking to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Outcomes of Treating Pulmonary Embolism
Penumbra
Objective: To evaluate real world, long-term functional outcomes, safety and performance of the Indigo Aspiration System for the treatment of pulmonary embolism.
Dr. Richard Pin
Dr. Mark Perry
Dr. Christopher Tanga
NCT# 04798261
ESPRIT BTK Post Approval Study
ESPRIT BTK Post Approval Study
Abbott Medical
Objective: Designed to perform a post-market evaluation of the ESPRIT BTK Everolimus Resorbable Scaffold System for the planned treatment of narrowed infrapopliteal lesions in real-world settings.
Dr. Richard Pin
Dr. Mark Perry
Dr. Christopher Tanga
NCT# 06656364
 
