The Clinical Trial Experience at ENCORE Research Group

Our patients are enthusiastic and excited to take part in clinical research.  There are a variety of reasons a patient would want to participate in a clinical trial: they join to benefit future generations, to advance medicine, to get medical help and compensation, and to increase diversity. The most frequent reason for joining a clinical study, however, is to help others. Clinical research is the best framework for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of new medications, devices, and procedures. This includes everyone from participants of phase 1 clinical trials to final consumers after FDA approval. But what does the process actually look like for patients? People hear about us from a wide variety of sources: advertisements, community outreach programs, the internet, and personal referrals from family and friends. Thousands of our patients are referred to us by friends, family, and their own physicians. People’s great experiences with us make them very likely to recommend us to others. Most of our patients are repeat offenders. In fact, over 99% of our patients return for another study.  When you are interested in an ENCORE Research Group study, our experienced and compassionate recruiters will talk with you. These experts care about your time more than anything else. They will run through a quick checklist to see if you prequalify for a study. If you prequalify, they will schedule an evaluation. They will find a time that works best for you to come in or receive a call with a research coordinator. Here the compassionate and attentive nature of ENCORE Research Group excels. You will receive forms to fill out your medical history, medications, and contact information. During your appointment, our attentive and detail-oriented staff will review your documents. They will confirm and expand on any medical conditions that may affect your participation. This step makes sure you are always safe and gives our staff personal knowledge to help you during your study. Patient safety is always our number one priority. After an evaluation, if you choose to participate, you will start the informed consent process. Here you will review the clinical trial process and the plan for your specific study. Research coordinators will explain and review a highly detailed and regulated consent form. This document informs you about the study, potential side effects, the goals and endpoints of the study, your rights, and what to expect. This is a vital step. We will also remind you that you can end participation in the study at any time for any reason. Your voluntary participation does not oblige you to continue at any point. What happens from here depends on your specific study, but some things will remain constant. Our doctors and medical staff will talk with you. Other patients describe them as professional, friendly, and compassionate. You may receive medication, a placebo, a device, or undergo a procedure. This will have been explained in detail during the informed consent process. One big difference between ENCORE Research Group and a normal doctor’s office is the comprehensiveness and amount of follow-up. Our doctors give you their full, undivided attention when you are in their office. They have plenty of time and want to know the intricacies of your medical history. For most studies, our staff will periodically check up on you after you leave. We are also keenly interested in knowing if you experience any new or changing symptoms. This will continue until your study has concluded. Then, if you wish, we will contact you if you qualify for more studies. This process results in a streamlined, professional, and personal system. You get to help medicine and society, but also experience top-quality, attentive care for a variety of conditions. Join the clinical trial process with ENCORE Research Group and see why nearly all of our patients come back! By Benton Lowey-Ball, BS Behavioral Neuroscience Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular heartbeats in the heart's upper chambers, called the atria. In AFib, the electrical signals that regulate the heartbeat become abnormal, causing the heart to beat too fast or slow instead of contracting normally. Atrial fibrillation can have detrimental effects such as stroke, heart failure, and blood clots

As a result of the irregular heart beatings, a variety of symptoms can be present such as:

• Palpitations (fluttering, pounding, or rapid sensation)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness / lightheaded
• Chest pain

In some cases, people with AFib may not experience any symptoms, making it difficult for some people to tell whether or not they may have AFib.   Some broader symptoms can include:

• Abrupt weight gain
• Coughing or wheezing
• Fainting
• Nausea and appetite loss
• Depression

Sometimes even these broader symptoms can not help people determine if they have AFib. The only way for people to know if they have AFib without experiencing any symptoms is to get tested and diagnosed by a doctor. It is strongly recommended that if a person has any of the risk factors below, they get checked, just to be safe, by a doctor.  AFib is often seen in older adults, with risk factors that include:

• History of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Advancing age
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Chronic kidney disease
• Smoking or excessive alcohol use

Some treatments are more effective when delivered in the early stages of AFib, which means that a person should not postpone getting checked by a doctor for AFib. However, symptoms and causes of AFib can often differ between men and women. In women, AFib usually is caused by problems with the heart valves. Compared to men, where AFib usually stems from coronary artery disease (CAD). As a result, women with AFib have a greater chance of having a stroke than men with AFib. Women with AFib also are more likely to have heart attacks and congestive heart failure than men with AFib. As a result, treatments for men and women often differ slightly.  Treatment for AFib is typically a medication to control heart rhythm and prevent blood clots. However, in some cases, procedures such as electrical cardioversion, ablation, or implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator may be necessary. Men with AFib are often placed on non-drug therapies such as pacemakers and catheter ablation. Women with AFib are more likely to have cardioversion and be prescribed antiarrhythmic medications such as dofetilide. However, typical treatments for both men and women include blood-thinning medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes to manage AFib risk factors. 

References:

Miller, K. (2022, December 27). Atrial fibrillation: The difference between men and women. Healthgrades. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/atrial-fibrillation/atrial-fibrillation-the-difference-between-men-and-women

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 14). Atrial fibrillation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm