November 16, 2012
St.Vincent is First in the State to Participate in Clinical Study for Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism
INDIANAPOLIS – St.Vincent is participating in a landmark study to evaluate the clinical evidence for safety and efficacy of ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (ultrasound energy used with medicine to treat blood clots) in treating patients with life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE). The study, known as SEATTLE II, is a clinical trial that evaluates the benefits of this advanced treatment technique, which employs a device utilizing ultrasound technology to enhance the speed and efficiency of clot dissolving drugs.
A PE occurs when a large blood clot, usually from a vein in the upper leg, or pelvis, breaks away and lodges in the lungs. The victim's heart may be suddenly overwhelmed with the task of pushing blood past this obstruction. Symptoms are similar to a heart attack.
In this clinical trial, SEATTLE II, a patient is treated by placing a catheter directly into the clotted vein and delivering a clot busting drug into the clot. By doing this, the physician is able to release a lower dosage of the blood clot busting drug, thus decreasing the risk of extensive bleeding.
About 5 percent of PEs are massive; resulting in rapid heart failure and shock. Without immediate therapy death can occur. The traditional method of treating a PE is that a patient receives a large dose of a clot-dissolving drug called a thrombolytic. The drug is delivered into a vein; however, unintended bleeding, often fatal itself, is a much feared side-effect. Up to 40 percent of PE victims have less critical obstructions, often called sub-massive PE, which are currently treated with anti-coagulant medication. These medications do not remove the blood clot; they simply prevent the clot from growing larger. Recently, studies suggest that failure to remove these sub-massive clots may have long-term adverse events including recurrent PE, chronic pulmonary hypertension, and in some cases death. Up to 21 percent of these patients die within 90 days.
The SEATTLE II clinical trial is looking to more efficiently and safely treat PEs that are both massive and sub-massive.
The U.S. Surgeon General reports up to 600,000 patients are stricken with PE in the U.S. resulting in up to 180,000 deaths annually, more than AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined.
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About St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana
St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana (SVHCI) is one heart-specialty program offered at two locations: 106th Street and North Meridian, and on the campus of St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital at 86th Street. The physician teams at both campuses are comprised of the cardiologists, electrophysiologists, interventional radiologists and surgeons of St.Vincent Medical Group (formerly The Care Group and CorVasc). SVHCI specializes in interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac catheterization, cardiac surgery, vascular medicine, thoracic procedures, transplants, Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and diagnostic testing for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular issues. The program is home to the ACS/PCI/Indiana Heart Attack Network (IHAN)/Stent Center of Excellence; A-Fib Center of Excellence; Pediatric Cardiology Center of Excellence; Valve Center of Excellence; and Vascular Center of Excellence. Other programs and services include: the $49 HeartScan of Indiana; 24/7 Heart Emergency Unit; Women's Cardiac Risk Clinic; and The Sleep Center of Indiana. St.Vincent Heart Center of Indiana has been named by HealthGrades as number one in Indiana for seven years in a row (2006 – 2012) for cardiology and coronary interventional procedures and in the top five percent of all hospitals in the U.S. for overall cardiac services, cardiology and coronary interventional procedures for seven years in a row (2006 – 2012). It is also a Thomson Reuters 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals, and an Accredited Chest Pain Center.
About St.Vincent Medical Group
St.Vincent Medical Group is a multi-specialty group of primary care and specialty health providers. The medical group is physician led and operated, and includes an array of integration options for providers such as clinical affiliations, joint ventures and employment. St.Vincent Medical Group creates a model of healthcare delivery that yields enhanced quality, efficiency, access and cost reductions. The Medical Group is part of St.Vincent Health, one of the state's largest healthcare employers with 22 health facilities serving 57 counties in Central and Southern Indiana. St.Vincent Health is a member of Ascension Health, the nation's largest not-for-profit and Catholic health care system.
For more information contact:
Jennifer Dial
St.Vincent Health
Public Relations Consultant
(317) 583-4031 (office)
jkdial@stvincent.org