The RWJMS Cardiology Research Unit had their first two enrollments in the STEMI-DTU trial at the end of January. The STEMI-DTU trial is sponsored by Abiomed, and Dr. Ramzan Zakir is the Principal Investigator for the RWJMS site. In this groundbreaking trial, patients experiencing an anterior STEMI (ST Elevational Myocardial Infarction) are randomized to either a standard of care arm (i.e. percutaneous intervention [PCI] immediately) or intervention arm to have the Impella CP® heart pump inserted for 30 minutes prior to PCI (delayed reperfusion.) The heart pump acts to “unload” the left ventricle, and the hope is that the infarct size will be decreased as a result and outcomes will be improved.
The Impella CP® has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is currently used for severe heart attack with cardiogenic shock, but is experimental in this trial of patients with less severe illness.
Congratulations to Dr. Zakir and the RWJMS Cardiology Research Unit and best wishes for continued success on this important study!