First U.S. Patient Enrolled in International Clinical Trial
Northern Michigan Regional Hospital is the first site in the country, with the first United States patient, to
participate in the SELECT CABG international trial
sponsored by Hoffmann-La Roche. The trial will test the
efficacy of a new drug for the prevention of saphenous vein
graft disease in patients undergoing elective or urgent
coronary artery bypass surgery. Saphenous vein graft
disease occurs when matter collects on the inside of veins
harvested from the upper leg.
“It speaks volumes
that a regional hospital of
this size is involved in a
trial that is truly moving
science ahead in the
prevention of saphenous
vein graft disease,” said
Louis A. Cannon, MD,
President of the Cardiac &
Vascular Research Center
of Northern Michigan, and Program Director of the
Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Heart & Vascular
Institute. “Northern Michigan Regional Hospital is
truly exceptional.”
Qualifying participants will receive either the placebo or
experimental drug intravenously during surgery and every
four weeks thereafter for 32 weeks. After one year, postsurgery,
a test performed on each participant will determine
the effectiveness of the drug. The estimated patient
enrollment for this trial is 384 individuals who meet very
specific criteria.
The SELECT CABG study is one of over 20 new clinical
trials or research studies in which Northern Michigan
Regional Health System initiated in 2010.