Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute has one of the most extensive research programs in the Sacramento region and is dedicated to providing the most current cardiovascular treatments available.

Clinical trails help researchers decide whether new experimental treatments or new ways of using known treatments are safe and effective under controlled settings.

Clinical trials allow researchers and participants to gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute has participated in many clinical trials for new devices used during coronary angioplasty procedures. The Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute was the only site selected in Northern California to participate in a new drug coated coronary stent designed to reduce the risk of restenosis (a new blockage caused by scar tissue) thereby reducing the need for repeat procedures for treatment.

Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute is currently participating in number of clinical trials for patients with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and heart valve disease.

If you or a family member are interested in participating in a clinical trial it is important for you to discuss options with your health care provider and learn as much as you can before to decide to volunteer.

For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov, a service of the National Institutes of Health which links patients to medical research.