A Study in Heart
Local Couple Enrolls in Trial to Test Home Defibrillators

Al Sedlak was at home with his wife, Lori, when he began feeling intense chest pressure and buckled to the floor. "It was very, very frightening," said Lori. "I felt at a loss. I didn't know what to do."

Fortunately, Lori and Al's daughter was also home and called 911. The ambulance brought 58-year-old Al to Poudre Valley Hospital, where it was confirmed that he was having a massive heart attack.

Fast forward six years. Al has recovered from his heart attack, though his heart did suffer some permanent damage. A stent helps keep his main coronary artery from closing up again. He's back at his job as an electrical contractor, and stays active by working out at a gym, walking most days and raising cows and chickens at his in-town acreage in Fort Collins.

And on the Sedlak's kitchen counter, thanks to a clinical trial Al and Lori are participating in through Heart Center of the Rockies, is a small red case containing an extra measure of reassurance: an automatic external defibrillator.

Access to Cutting-Edge Care Through Clinical Trials
AEDs, which are easy-to-use, portable defibrillators used to shock someone whose heart has stopped in an attempt to restart it, are now commonly found in public places. You might have seen them in airports, schools and churches.

Now a new study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is gathering data to determine whether AEDs in the homes of heart attack survivors will increase survival rates in cases of subsequent cardiac arrest. The AED effectiveness will be compared to that of the emergency medical system's effectiveness alone when 911 is called.

The Sedlaks were invited to enroll in this study—called the HAT trial, for Home Automatic external defibrillator Trial—by Dr. Wyatt Voyles, Director of Clinical Research at Heart Center of the Rockies, and his clinical research coordinator, Darcee Robeson.

As a nationally recognized clinic in all aspects of cardiac care, Heart Center of the Rockies participates in many studies trialing new drugs, devices and treatment protocols. "This not only furthers the practice of cardiology, but it allows our patients access to new, investigational treatments," said Dr. Voyles. "And sometimes those treatments make a tremendous difference in our patients lives."

When Poudre Valley Health System's new hospital—Medical Center of the Rockies—opens in February, 2007, it will specialize in cardiac and trauma care. Heart Center of the Rockies' cardiac surgery program will be headquartered there, including minimally invasive, robotic-assisted cardiac surgery.

Cardiac clinical research will then play an even more important role in patient care. "Medical Center of the Rockies will be a regional referral center for advanced cardiac surgery and interventional procedures," said Dr. Voyles. "This will allow us to participate in more acute, hospital-based studies, giving our patients even greater access to the newest treatments."

Help for today—and tomorrow
Fortunately, the Sedlaks have not yet had cause to use their home AED—but they find comfort in knowing it's there. They took it with them on a recent trip to Russia and even tuck it into the car when they go on mountain drives. And Lori regularly reviews the AED training video so she's sure she knows how to use it. "It gives us a sense of freedom," said Lori. "I feel so much more confident knowing it's there."

Dr. Voyles applauds the Sedlaks' willingness to enroll in a trial. "People are special who participate in these protocols," he said. "They need to be acknowledged for what they do. This is the only way in medicine that we make progress."

Al agrees. "It is pretty amazing that something like this is available to everyday people like us," he said. "If it helps me somewhere along the line, that's great. But if it doesn't, it could change things down the line for other people.

"When you participate in a clinical trial, you're opening up your heart and your mind, and you're sharing your experience. If I can help now, maybe somebody in the future will be saved."

How to Help

The Medical Center of the Rockies Foundation supports clinical research at Heart Center of the Rockies. By fostering an active research department, the Heart Center is making cutting-edge treatments available to area heart patients as well as helping improve cardiac care the world over.

Gifts to the Medical Center of the Rockies Foundation in support of cardiac clinical research will allow participation in more trials for more patients. Please send your gift to the Medical Center of the Rockies Foundation, 117 East 37th Street, Box 399, Loveland, CO 80538.