At Florida Electrophysiology Associates we are proud to be a participant in two major international trials currently underway studying this important issue.  We are a study site for the Guidant corporation "Companion" trial of multi-site pacing to treat symptomatic CHF.  We are also a study site for the Medtronic corporation "In-Sync" Miracle II ICD trial of multi-site pacing in patients who suffer from CHF and also require an implantable defibrillator implant. These are both academic trials which are generally reserved for major cardiac teaching hospitals. Very few private practices are able to offer their patients this cutting edge technology.  We are the only private practice in Florida to offer patients both a multi-site pacing trial and a multi-site pacer/ICD trial.

In order to get into either of these FDA sanctioned clinical trials patients need to be appropriately screened.  Not all patients will qualify.  In addition, because a small percentage of patients in both of these trials will be randomized to placebo, there can be no up-front guarantee that an enrolled patient will actually get a multi-site pacing device. patients need to understand these ground rules with the potential payoff of course being an improvement in the symptoms of CHF (whether these devices also extend life has not to date been addressed).

If you suffer from symptoms of CHF and are interested in determining if you are a candidate for either of these trials please contact Jill Kinley,ARNP at Florida Cardiovascular Research (our research division) so that a screening visit can be set up.  Jill, a nurse practitioner, is the clinical coordinator of both trials.  Jill can be reached at 561-963-5238.