ATTRACT - Vascular Surgery Research Study

The Heart and Vascular Institute’s Division of Vascular Surgery is now actively enrolling patients for the ATTRACT Study. The NIH/NHLBI-sponsored study will determine if clot-busting treatments should be routinely used in patients with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

What is DVT?

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within a deep vein of the body, usually a leg vein. There are three common symptoms of a DVT episode:

  1. A DVT can break free and flow within the bloodstream to the lungs. This complication is called Pulmonary Embolism or PE. When PE occurs, it is often fatal.
  2. Patients with DVT often experience pronounced pain, swelling, cramping, and/or tenderness of the involved leg during the initial episode.
  3. DVT survivors often experience long-term pain, swelling, heaviness, fatigue, skin changes, and/or open sores on the legs, a complication called Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS).

What to Expect as a Study Participant

If you agree to participate in the study:

  • Staff will review your medical records, ask about your health, perform a physical exam, measure your leg and record any leg pain that you have.
  • You will be asked to have a small amount of blood taken as well as complete a questionnaire. You will return for visits at 10 days and one month after initial treatment and then every six months for two years.
  • You will be reimbursed up to a total of $100 for time and travel involved in coming to follow-up visits and completion of research questionnaires.

UPMC Researchers

  • Rabih Chaer, MD
    Associate Professor of Surgery UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Division of Vascular Surgery and Principal Investigator

    Dr. Chaer completed his residency in Vascular Surgery at the New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, and currently sees patients in Oakland and Shadyside.

  • Susan Tamburro, RN
    Clinical Research Coordinator

Additional Resources

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