Since 1972, the physicians of Peninsula Cardiology Associates have been leaders in heart disease treatment on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. As the largest private cardiology practice on the shore, we provide care to nearly 40,000 patients a year. During the early 1970's our physicians were instrumental in establishing "The Heart Center" at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The Heart Center, has become the second busiest heart hospital in the state of Maryland. Cardiologists and surgeons performed more than 6,000 cardiac catheterizations, and over 600 open-heart procedures in 2005. Through the utilization of innovative technology and ground breaking therapies, our association has maintained a distinctive excellence in the field of heart disease detection and management.

The investigators and research staff of Peninsula Cardiology Associates have been actively participating in pharmaceutical and device research since 1997. Through our participation in Phase II - IV trials, our site has become recognized as a leading research center in the field of cardiology. Our physician investigators have extensive research experience in such therapeutic areas as acute coronary syndrome, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart failure, coronary and peripheral revascularization, sinus node dysfunction, atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. In the past 9 years Peninsula Cardiology has collaborated on over 50 different trials with such sponsors as Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, Boston Scientific, ev3, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Medtronic, Guidant, and St. Jude Medical.

Peninsula Cardiology Associates Research Department is located directly on-site at our Salisbury office. One block from our office is our primary hospital affiliate, Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The research office is located in an easily accessible first-floor suite, making it convenient for subjects and monitors. Patients participating in our research trials are greeted by a welcoming waiting room with ample seating. Staff are very service oriented recognizing that our subjects are volunteering their time, as such our patients are seen within minutes of their arrival. Monitors are also believed to be an integral member of our research team. To facilitate the monitor's work on-site, we provide them with a dedicated working space with fax, copier and Internet at their fingertips. Services and testing available at our site include, a CLIA approved laboratory, echocardiography, nuclear imaging, tilt-table testing, and vascular diagnostics. We offer patients and providers several inner office clinics including a nationally recognized Coumadin clinic, a Heart Failure Clinic, a Varicose Vein Clinic, and Pacemaker and Defibrillator clinics. An extensive array of equipment is available including a -20 freezer, centrifuges, ECG machines, treadmills, and T-wave alternans.

Emmanuel N. Nsah, M.D., Peninsula Cardiology Associates research director, is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Electrophysiology. He is currently the Director of Electrophysiology services at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, and continues to work as an Assistant Professor of Medicine for Johns Hopkins University.

Frank J. Arena, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, is an active principal investigator in both pharmaceutical and device research. He is board-certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology and Echocardiography.

Joseph L. Raffetto, M.D., is an active principal investigator in the areas of acute coronary and metabolic syndrome. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.

Donald M. Wood, M.D. is an active principal investigator in the areas of hypertension, heart failure and hypercholesterolemia. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Nuclear Cardiology.

Each of the principal investigators is supported by a team of 7 physician sub-investigators.

Lynne Armiger, MSN, RN
Research Manager
6 years of research experience

Danielle Morrison, BSN, RN
Research Nurse
5 years of research experience

Sara Shearer, RN
Research Nurse
2 years of research experience

Cathy Clark, BS, MT
Research Technician/Recruitment Coordinator
1 year research experience

Nancy Pusey,
Research Technician/Regulatory Specialist
2 years research experience

Peninsula Cardiology Associates serves a large catchment area including Delaware, and the Eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia. In addition to our main Salisbury office we provide services at 2 additional satellite offices in Berlin and Cambridge, Maryland. Demographics specific to our patient population include a mix of Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Indian, and Middle-Eastern residence. Greater than 50% of our practice is female. Practice age distribution is predominantly 60 - 79 years of age, with this group representing 47% of our population. Approximately 30% are between the ages of 30 -59, and 20% greater than 80 years of age.

Peninsula Cardiology Associates has the ability to use either a central or local IRB depending upon the type of study. In-patient based studies coordinated through Peninsula Regional Medical Center must first be submitted to the hospital's Protocol Assessment Committee. This group meets the 4th Tuesday of every month. Once this group endorses a protocol, which typically occurs within 24 hours, the protocol can than be submitted to the local IRB. Peninsula Cardiology Associates has an electronic patient medical record system, and is networked with the hospital to facilitate data management for our patients. Physician investigators, practice administration and research staff actively participate in the practice-based Research Advisory Board. Some of the functions of this group include evaluating new study feasibility, assessing and facilitating recruitment and retention for current studies, and monitoring of protocol amendments, safety alerts, and adverse events. As a result of this focused, team effort Peninsula Cardiology Associates has been able to meet enrollment goals in a timely manner, frequently enroll within the top 10 for all sites, and maintain a subject lost to follow-up rate of < 10%.

For more information, please contact:

Lynne Armiger, MSN, RN
Research Manager
Peninsula Cardiology Associates, P.A.
400 Eastern Shore Drive
Salisbury, MD 21804 USA
Phone: 410-749-8906
Fax: 410-749-2865
E-mail:

If you are interested in contacting this center to discuss placing a clinical trial there, please complete and send the E-mail form below. A representative from the research center will then follow up with you.

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Last updated on February 19, 2008

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