Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC) and UVA Health are partnering to bring a new clinical trial examining a potential heart valve disease treatment to Eastern Virginia as part of a growing strategic alliance between the health systems. RRMC serves as a subsite of UVA Health in this national multicenter study.
The ENVISION Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a heart valve replacement system intended to address aortic stenosis, or narrowing of the aortic valve. The study will also examine the safety and effectiveness of the system as a potential treatment for symptomatic heart disease due to failure of a previously implanted aortic valve.
“When we announced our strategic alliance with UVA Health, we committed to expanding access to innovative research and clinical trials in Eastern Virginia,” said Kathy Koehl, PharmD, BCPS, FVSHP, Associate Vice President, Oncology and Clinical Research for Riverside Health. “Opening the ENVISION TAVR study is a meaningful step forward in that commitment and demonstrates how this partnership is translating into real research opportunities for our community. Research plays a critical role in examining potential new treatment options for conditions such as aortic stenosis.”
The study at RRMC is led by Principal Investigators Dr. John Trujillo, a fellowship-trained interventional and structural cardiologist with Riverside Cardiology Specialists and Dr. Robert Strange with Riverside Thoracic and Cardiovascular Specialists. They are supported by a dedicated Riverside Health team that includes primary research coordinator Sarah Eckhart; Keri Allen, Clinical Research Manager; Adam Luke, Cardiac Service Line Leader; Erin Satterfield, a nurse practitioner with Riverside Cardiology Specialists; and the interventional cardiology team. Together, this multidisciplinary team of physicians and research professionals will oversee and monitor volunteers participating in the ENVISION clinical trial.
Leaders at UVA Health see partnering with RRMC on this clinical trial as the next step in the health systems’ expanding strategic alliance, which includes cardiothoracic surgery, transplant services and medical education.
“As we expand our statewide clinical trials network, we are excited to grow our partnership with Riverside Health to bring cutting-edge research studies to Eastern Virginia,” said Jason Lineen, MBA, UVA Health’s chief strategy officer. “This clinical trial – and the trials that will follow in the months and years ahead – is the latest example of how this strategic alliance is benefiting people across the region.”
Individuals seeking more information about the ENVISION TAVR clinical trial, including study protocol, eligibility criteria and referral processes, may contact lead research coordinator Sarah Eckhart at [email protected].