Lakeland, FL – The Watson Clinic Center for Research is one of approximately 30 nationwide partners in a new clinical trial sponsored by the TIMI Study Group, a collective of researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. The study evaluates the effectiveness of anticoagulants in the prevention of blood clots for COVID-19 patients who have been admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“COVID-19 increases the risk of blood clot formation, which can cause severe complications like heart attack, stroke or even death,” says Watson Clinic board-certified Pulmonologist and Principal InvestigatorNaem Shahrour, MD. “Our participation in this study will help to shed light on the best defense against these potential dangers.”
Patients who are critically ill with COVID-19, and have been admitted into the ICU of Lakeland Regional Health as a result, will be given the option of consenting to participation in the clinical trial. The study utilizes two widely-available FDA-approved medications – a blood-thinning anticoagulant and clopidogrel, a commonly-prescribed medication designed to keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots. During the study, patients will receive a low dose of anticoagulation medication or a full dose with or without clopidogrel. The goal of the research is to determine the appropriate dose of anticoagulant with or without clopidogrel that will provide the most effective protection against blood clots. These results must also be weighed against the dangers of excessive bleeding, which is a potential side effect of anticoagulant medications.
The study is being led by Dr. Shahrour, Lakeland Regional Health Pulmonologist Thane Htun, MD, and Watson Clinic Pulmonology Hospitalist registered nurse practitioner Amber Peterson, APRN.
Founded in 1985, the Watson Clinic Center for Research provides an administrative structure upon which Watson Clinic specialists can perform medical research. Through numerous patient-oriented prospective and retrospective research trials, the Center for Research seeks to improve treatments and outcomes. The Watson Clinic physicians are working closely with the Center for Research to provide meaningful contributions to the pool of evidence-based knowledge from which all medical professionals draw.
About Watson Clinic LLP: As one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities. First established in 1941, Watson Clinic has grown to include over 220 board-certified physicians representing more than 40 medical and surgical specialties. The Clinic is proud to deliver quality healthcare to every generation from our Main Clinic location at 1600 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland, as well as at multiple convenient locations throughout Polk, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. More information is available at: www.WatsonClinic.com.
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