Research and Clinical Trials

At Florida Interventional Specialists, we strive to provide the most advanced minimally invasive care available. To stay in the forefront of medical technology we are enrolled in several clinical trials.  Involvement in research requires significant time and a desire to advance medicine, often with little or no financial benefit.  As the list below describes, our research studies range from large Randomized Controlled Trials comparing procedures/drugs to smaller retrospective reviews of procedures performed at Tampa General Hospital.  University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital, institutions that are equally committed to research and patient care, have assisted FIS by providing two research coordinators to facilitate in our studies.  The combination of a strong clinical team and research department allow FIS to provide the most comprehensive minimally invasive care in Florida.  If you have any questions about a current research study, please ask and we will discuss any options you may have.
 

1. Nexevar dosing study, randomized national study. (In conjunction with TGMG transplant surgery/hepatology)-evaluation of outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with oral Nexevar treatment.
    
2. “HiQ” Randomized-Controlled study of Quadraspheres vs liquid chemoembolization for treatment of HCC – randomized treatment of lipiodol/doxorubicin vs Quadraspheres/doxorubicin chemoembolization for treatment of non-tranplantable HCC.
    
3. Randomized-Controlled trial to evaluate treatment of submassive pulmonary embolus with intraclot delivery of tPa vs heparin anticoagulation – single site randomized study to evaluate outcomes of patients with submassive PE treated with intraclot delivery of tPa via the EKOS infusion catheter into the pulmonary artery.
    
4. Retrospective analysis of patients with pulmonary embolus treated with EKOS – retrospective study to evaluate outcomes of patients treated for pulmonary embolus with intraclot delivery of tPa via the EKOS infusion catheter into the pulmonary artery.
    
5. Prospective level II study of Denali IVC filter:  Multi-center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new Bard Denali IVC filter in the prevention of pulmonary embolus.
    
6. Retrospective analysis of hepatic artery stenting in liver transplant arterial anastomotic stenoses.  Retrospective review of liver transplant patients requiring arterial stenting at the arterial anastomosis to evaluate long term patency and outcomes.
    
7. Prospective analysis of AAA endoleak embolization – Single site prospective analysis of patients with endoleaks repaired at TGH by interventional radiology.
    
8. Nanoknife ablation registry.  National tumor ablation registry including all patients treated by nanoknife ablation – In conjunction with USF surgery dept.
    
9. Simplicity trial – Randomized-controlled trial of treatment of uncontrolled hypertension with endovascular RFA with Ardian RFA device.  National, multi-center randomized prospective trial.
    
10. Retrospective review of renal artery stenosis in renal transplant arteries.  Single site study to evaluate Doppler and angiographic findings and outcomes after stenting in patients with high grade renal arterial stenoses.
     
11. Retrospective review of portal vein stents placed in liver transplant patients.  Single site study to evaluate Doppler and angiographic findings and outcomes after stenting in patients with high grade portal vein stenoses.
     
12. Retrospective review of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices.  Single Center evaluation of patients that received LAD, frequency of GI bleeding, angiographic outcomes and endoscopic findings.