Research Study for Patients Undergoing Heart Imaging Tests

Study Summary

The University of Chicago and Dr. Kim Williams are conducting a research study to determine the medical value of noninvasive imaging tests to detect heart disease and predict future heart-related harmful events (such as heart attacks, which occur when your heart does not receive get enough blood flow). Noninvasive imaging tests allow us to see heart function and blood flow without having to go inside the body. Special cameras are use instead. We are asking you to take part in this study because you have been scheduled by your physician to have an imaging test done to help your doctor find out if you have heart disease. The reason for this study is that doctors have many noninvasive imaging options to help them diagnose heart disease, and learn other information about your heart health. However, these noninvasive imaging tests are expensive and therefore require an investigation to determine if the costs for these tests are equal to their benefits.

For this study, we will gather data about your routine imaging test and related heart health over a two-year period of time. You will not be asked to have any additional procedures or drugs to participate in this study. Your participation in this research study will not change or modify the imaging test ordered by your physician in any way. You will be contacted by phone by a member of the study staff three times during the next 24 months (at approximately 90 days, one year, and two years) following your imaging test. The purpose of these calls is to determine whether, and when, a change in your current health status has occurred including changes in medications, the occurrence of heart-related procedures, or hospital visits since your imaging visit or last phone call. Each call will take no more than 30 minutes.

Benefits

You may not benefit directly from this research. However, the medical knowledge obtained from this study may be of considerable benefit to help heart patients in the future.

Participation Details

Initial selection criteria include:

• Must be age 18 years or older
• Must be scheduled for a heart imaging test as part of your normal routine medical care
• Must have a history of heart disease or have symptoms that indicate a high likelihood of heart disease
• Must be available for follow-up phone calls for the duration of the study
• Must meet study medical criteria as evaluated by Dr. Williams

Study Director: Dr. Kim Williams
Department: Cardiology

For more information contact:
ebayer@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
(773) 702-0347

IRB: #14617B