Revascularization Studies Underway at Cooper Heart

Two clinical studies currently underway at the Cooper Heart underscore the institute’s commitment to maximizing revascularization efforts.

PRIMO-CABG II is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Pexelizumab in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass. Pexelizumab, a monoclonal antibody, was developed to block the complement mediated inflammatory response to tissue injury, which is linked to adverse events. PRIMO-CABG I, which utilized Pexelizumab, demonstrated a reduction in myocardial infarction and death following bypass surgery.

In PRIMO-CABG II, patients will receive infusion of Pexelizumab or placebo immediately prior to bypass and as an infusion for 24 hours post-op. Patients randomized to this trial include CABG patients with two or more risk factors, including: diabetes, repeat CABG, history of CVA, TIA or carotid endoarterectomy, history of 2 or more previous MI’s, and a history of heart failure, NYHA class III or IV.

The primary investigator for this trial at Cooper is clinical cardiologist, Phillip Koren, M.D., who is working with cardiovascular surgeons, Vincent Simonetti, M.D., and Steven Marra, M.D.

For more information about this trial or to refer a patient to Dr. Koren, please call (856) 546-3003. To refer a patient to Drs. Simonetti or Marra, please call (856) 342-2141.

TRITON-TIMI 38, the latest variant of the landmark Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Trial, is also underway at Cooper. Under the direction of Sanford Gip, M.D., clinical cardiologist, TIMI 38 compares the platelet aggregation inhibition of clopidogrel (Plavix) to an investigational agent (prasugrel) in patients with acute coronary syndrome who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention.

For more information about this trial or to refer a patient to Dr. Gip, please call (856) 546-3003.