Heartbeat: Research leads to changes in treatment plans for patients nationwide

January 2, 2020

NHS watchdog NICE has approved a change in the amount of medication given to heart disease patients thanks to a study our researchers have been leading on.

The COMPASS trial found that a normal dose of aspirin along with a baby dose of anticoagulant (medicines that help to prevent blood clots) gave the same benefits as a higher dosage but with minimal risks.

Lead Research Nurse, Ashley Turner said: “This approval from NICE shows that our research is leading the way. It’s positive news that the drug regime for cardiovascular patients has now changed as a result of the work being done at our organisation.”

He added: “We found that patients received the same benefits around prevention of future strokes and attacks. There was also a reduced risk of bleeds on the baby dose.”

“NICE has now approved the reduction in dosage, showing that COMPASS has changed the medication drug regime for people at risk of stroke or heart attacks.

As a result, there is a new follow up study which we’re leading. This will observe patients who are on this new regime so their progress can be monitored.

The cardiovascular team are also leading the way when it comes to recruiting patients into studies – by using the clinic rooms within the new Clinical Research Facility at Sandwell Hospital.

Dr Derek Connolly holds his cardiology clinics every Monday. This means that if patients consent to taking part in a study, they can be seen by one of the research nurses on the day.

Ashley added: “By doing this, it cuts down the amount of time the patient waits between being identified as a candidate to being enrolled in the study.

“Since Dr Connolly started this process we’ve recruited many more patients. We would urge clinicians from other areas to take advantage of this facility so that they too can recruit efficiently into any studies that the Trust is taking part in.”