Research

At UCLA, we seek to excel in patient care, research, and education in our quest to push the boundaries of medical care. As we seek to advance the medical field, we understand that the future of patient care can only be improved with asking questions and work towards solutions with people who have a common goal. For this reason, we have a dedicated Interventional Cardiology Research Unit led by Dr. Jonathan Tobis.

UCLA Interventional Cardiology Section currently is running several Investigator-Initiated trials and also is a part of a number of national research trials. Our faculty is also active in several clinical and basic science studies culminating in peer-reviewed articles with findings that help innovate and improve upon the current cardiovascular care.

Below are listed our current trials that are actively enrolling patients. Other trials can be located on the clinicaltrials.gov website.

Active and Enrolling

Title: Impact of Endothelin-1 on Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Following Heart Transplantation

Purpose: Prospectively evaluate changes in coronary anatomy and physiology as well as quantify ET-1 bioactivity in post-heart transplant patients

Principal Investigator: Rushi Parikh, MD

Title: Evaluation of Treatment Strategies for Severe CaLcIfic Coronary Arteries: Orbital Atherectomy vs. Conventional Angioplasty Technique Prior to Implantation of Drug-Eluting StEnts: The ECLIPSE Trial (ECLIPSE)

Purpose: Evaluation of orbital atherectomy compared to balloon angioplasty for vessel preparation

Principal Investigator: Olcay Aksoy, MD

Title: Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial (CREST-2)

Purpose: Compare treatment strategies for patients with carotid stenosis. Trial is comparing medical therapy, surgical and stenting approaches.

Principal Investigator: Wesley S. Moore, MD

Co-Principal Investigator: Olcay Aksoy, MD and David Liebeskind, MD

Title: Comparison of iFR vs. FFR and IVUS in select patient populations:

Purpose: Compare coronary stenosis evaluation modalities to optimize clinical status

Principal Investigator: Olcay Aksoy, MD 

Title: International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA)

Purpose: Determine the best management strategy for higher-risk patients with stable ischemic heart disease, compatient routine invasive strategy with optimal medical therapy vs. optimal medical therapy alone

Principal Investigator: Gabriel Vorobiof, MD

Title: Tasso HemoLink Study

Purpose: Assessment of HemoLink-collected blood for lipid panel measurements on point-of-care analyzers

Principal Investigator: Eric Yang, MD

Active Not Enrolling

Title: Lipid Rich Plaque (LRP)

Purpose: Evaluation of Near Infrared Spectroscopy to further understand plaque morphology

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD

Title: Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab: ODYSSEY Trial

Purpose: Evaluation of the use of Alirobumab in patients who present with heart attacks

Principal Investigator: Eric Yang, MD

Title: Affordability and Real-world Antiplatelet Treatment Effectiveness After Myocardial Infarction Study (ARTEMIS)

Purpose: Whether co-payment reduction leads to improved outcomes.

Principal Investigator: Eric Yang, MD

Title: Edoxaban Compared to Standard Care After Heart Valve Replacement Using a Catheter in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (ENVISAGE-TAVI AF)

Purpose: Evaluate safety and efficacy of edoxoban compared to coumadin in patients with atrial fibrillation who are undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Principal Investigator: Olcay Aksoy, MD

Pending Activation

Title: TEVA Stem Cell Trial

Purpose: Evaluation of stem cells in recovery of myocardial function

Principal Investigator: Ali Nsair, MD

Title: Study of Access Site for Enhancing PCI in STEMI for Seniors (SAFE STEMI for Seniors)

Purpose: Evaluate safety and effectiveness of recent advances in the treatment of heart attacks in patients age > 65 years using radial access, stenting, and iFR technology.

Principal Investigator: Olcay Aksoy, MD

Recently Closed Studies

Title: Effect of Eleclazine (GS-6615) on Exercise Capacity in Subjects With Symptomatic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (LIBERTY-HCM)

Purpose: Evaluate GS-6615 in patients who have hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Principal Investigator: Eugene DePasquale, MD

Title: Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Serelaxin When Added to Standard Therapy in AHF

Purpose: Evaluate use of intravenous infusion of serelaxin when added to standard therapy in acute heart failure

Principal Investigator: Arnold Baas, MD

Title: The PLATINUM Clinical Trial to Assess the PROMUS Element Stent System for Treatment of De Novo Coronary Artery Lesions (PLATINUM)

Purpose: Evaluate PROMUS stent in coronary artery lesions

Principal Investigator: Marcella Calfon-Press, MD

Title: An Observational Study of Cholesterol in Coronary Arteries (COLOR)

Purpose: Evaluate plaques of interest using lipiscan to see if it predicts future outcomes

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD  

Archive Studies

Title: PREMIUM Migraine Trial

Purpose: Evaluate impact of Patent Foramen Ovale Closure using Amplatzer PFO occluder in the treatment of patients with migraines

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD 

Title: RESPECT PFO Clinical Trial

Purpose: Evaluate impact of Patent Foramen Ovale Closure using Amplatzer PFO occluder in the treatment of patients who have a history of stroke

Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Saver, MD

Co-Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD

Title: Efficacy and Safety of Targeted Intramyocardial Delivery of Auto CD34+ Stem Cells for Improving Exercise Capacity in Subjects With Refractory Angina (RENEW)

Purpose: Evaluate impact of Stem Cell injections in patients with coronary artery disease and refractory angina

Principal Investigator: Ali Nsair, MD

Co-Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD

Title: ABSORB III Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) (ABSORB-III)

Purpose: Evaluate safety and efficacy of bioabsorbable stents in coronary artery disease

Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tobis, MD

Please feel free to notify us with any questions about these trials. If you are interested in volunteering for our research programs, please contact Olcay Aksoy at oaksoy at mednet.ucla.edu.