• Share

PRINT

When we have high levels of bad cholesterol in our blood, plaque builds up in our arteries, leading to blockages, strokes or heart attacks.

This type of heart disease is called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and it can be deadly. About 2 million Americans are hospitalized each year with the condition, and 400,000 of them die, according to the American Heart Association.

Now a study is underway to see if a new investigational medication is helpful for treating ASCVD and reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events when taken with your existing medication as compared to a placebo. (An investigational product is a study medicine has not been approved by the FDA for use in the U.S.)

Who qualifies for the study?

To be eligible for the clinical trial, patients must have a history of heart disease, cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels going to the brain or in the legs, or history of stroke or heart attack. In addition, patients must be on a lipid-modifying drug such as a statin.

The study is expected to last approximately 32 months and will require several in-person visits to Annapolis, Maryland. The first two visits last about 90 minutes.

While on the medication, patients will visit the clinical site approximately every three months during the first year of the study; those three follow-up appointments will last around 20 to 30 minutes.

After completing the first year in the study, patients will visit the clinic every six months, and have telephone calls with the clinic staff twice yearly until the study completes.

“Participants are compensated for each time they come in for an in-person appointment, and they are compensated for telephone appointments as well,” said Husna R. Baksh, a physician affiliated with the Maryland study.

“Also, depending on where they are coming from, we can set up access to UberHealth [transportation] to get them to appointments if they are not able to drive, or need the assistance for travel.”

In addition to compensation, Baksh said, participants “would help science by providing information for an alternative option for a medication that is effective at lowering cholesterol for patients who cannot take what is already on the market — or are taking a prescription medication but still have high levels of bad cholesterol.

“This is especially helpful for patients who have a history of heart disease, stroke or cholesterol buildup in their blood vessels,” Baksh said.

For more information about this study, or to see if you qualify to volunteer, call (240) 760-1667 or email InfoMarylandEast@JavaraResearch.com.