The University of Rochester Medical Center has been awarded $27 million in research funding to support a six-year study on implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and how they impact the health outcomes of heart failure patients. This study has the potential to revolutionize care on a global scale. URMC considers this grant one of the largest awards it has received in the last ten years.
The study aims to determine if advancements in medical therapy could potentially reduce the need for ICDs in many individuals living with heart failure. Dr. Ilan Goldenberg, the director of the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Center and lead investigator of the study, believes that current analysis suggests that a significant portion of patients who receive ICDs may not actually benefit from them in terms of survival. This study could potentially lead to a shift in how heart failure is treated and managed.
If the study’s findings support Dr. Goldenberg’s hypothesis, it could lead to changes in practice guidelines for managing heart failure. Over 3,000 patients will be enrolled in this study, which will take place at 115 sites across the United States and Canada. The impact of this research could be groundbreaking in terms of improving care and outcomes for patients with heart failure.