Cardiac Disease and the Electrocardiogram in SCI Patients

January 20, 2009 updated by: US Department of Veterans Affairs

The purpose of this three-year study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of the different types of cardiac disease and ECG abnormalities in SCI patients. Study goals are: (i) delineation of the specific types of heart disease that occur in the SCI population as manifested both pre-clinically and clinically and (ii) demonstration of their association with ECG findings. This will enable validation of scores and algorithms using the inexpensive and widely available ECG for the prevention of heart disease as well as it's early treatment and rehabilitation in SCI patients.

The findings will be helpful in demonstrating what cardiological tests are appropriate for the mandated annual evaluation of SCI patients.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The purpose of this three-year study is to determine the prevalence and incidence of the different types of cardiac disease and ECG abnormalities in SCI patients seen at the PAVA SCIC and their association. Study goals include: i) delineation of the specific types of heart disease that occur in the SCI population as manifested both pre-clinically and clinically and ii) demonstration of their association with ECG findings. This will enable validation of scores and algorithms using the inexpensive and widely available ECG for the prevention of heart disease as well as it's early treatment and rehabilitation in SCI patients. Our findings will be helpful in demonstrating what cardiological tests are appropriate for the mandated annual evaluation of SCI patients.

There are two components to this study:

An outcomes component to complete information previously gathered in clinical and computerized databases of 800 SCI patients and a convenience sample of age-matched able-bodied veterans and perform a follow up for cardiac events.

A screening component to identify pre-clinical disease will include Holter ECG recordings and echocardiograms on patients without symptoms or evidence for heart disease seen in the SCI center during the course of the study and age-matched able-bodied veterans.

Hypothesis (a): The prevalence and incidence of cardiac diseases including coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy will be higher in the SCI population than age-matched samples of the able-bodied population while valvular disease and arrhythmia will be similar. (b): The prevalence and incidence of cardiac disease in SCI individuals will be associated with level and completeness of injury (ie, higher occurrence in those with higher lesion levels and more complete injuries.) (c) The ECG will be helpful in SCI patients in early identification and secondary prevention of both ischemic and cardiomyopathic heart disease. (d) Continuous Holter ECG recordings or echocardiograms will only be indicated for screening specific SCI patients identified by clinical and electrocardiographic features.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

800

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • California
      • Palo Alto, California, United States
        • VAMC, Palo Alto

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

SCI patients

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Nancy Rocheleau, Program Analyst, Department of Veterans Affairs, Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS), Rehabilitation Research & Development Service
  • John Fryer, Ph.D. Asst. Director, Deprtment of Veterans Affairs, Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS), Rehabilitation Research & Development Service

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

October 1, 1999

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

September 1, 2002

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 14, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 15, 2001

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

March 16, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

January 21, 2009

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 20, 2009

Last Verified

January 1, 2001

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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