Providence Medical Research Center is currently participating in several clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. We have been chosen to participate in these trials because of our excellent performance in clinical research. We are proud to be a part of advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care through research.

One of the National Institutes of Health sponsored studies in which we are participating is "CORAL", or Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerosis Lesions. This study is examining treatment options for renal artery stenosis, or narrowing or obstruction of the blood vessels to the kidney. The goal of the study is to determine if optimal medical therapy with addition of a stent to open the kidney artery is a better treatment than optimal medical therapy alone. The primary outcomes measured in the study include both heart and kidney events (death, heart attack, loss of kidney function).

Renal artery stenosis is a common problem, present in about 5% of the 60 million Americans with high blood pressure, and in others who have vascular and decreased kidney function.

Despite the importance of renal artery stenosis, data on optimal management of this disease are lacking. Patients with renal artery stenosis may be treated with a stent (insertion of a small metal device or "stent" in to the blood vessel to keep it open). Even though this procedure is commonly used, the effectiveness of renal artery stenting is uncertain.

Study Design

Patients with renal artery stenosis who agree to be in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either optimal medical therapy or optimal medical therapy with renal artery stenting. All participants will be closely monitored.

Blood pressure control and other risk factors for kidney and heart disease (high cholesterol and diabetes) will be intensely, managed to achieve goals of optimal medical therapy. The duration of the study will be 3 to 5 years.

Participants in CORAL will be treated by experts in kidney disease (nephrology), heart disease (cardiology) and vascular interventions (interventional radiology).

Principal Investigators

Katherine R Tuttle, MD, Fellow American Society of Nephrology, Fellow American College of Physicians. (Nephrology)

Rodney D. Raabe, MD. (Interventional Radiology)

Michael Ring, MD, Fellow American College of Cardiology. (Cardiology)

For More Information

If you are interested in enrolling in this study or would like more information about this study: Contact: Lynn, RN, Certified Clinical Research Coordinator lshuler@this.org