The Oklahoma Foundation for Cardiovascular Research (OFCR) is a non-profit research organization founded in 1993 by a group of cardiologists who saw the need to improve the heart health of the people of Oklahoma by providing state-of-the-art technology and drugs not yet available to the public. Oklahoma Foundation for Cardiovascular Research (OFCR) is a non-profit research foundation formed by the physicians of OCA. OFCR, along with Oklahoma Cardiovascular Research Group (OCRG), its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, serve as the organizations that coordinate OCA's participation in national multicenter investigational studies. The physicians of OCA, along with OFCR/OCRG have brought many firsts to Oklahomans.

With 11 full-time clinical research staff members, including seven clinical trial coordinators, many of whom are registered nurses with coordinator certification, OFCR strives to maintain a commitment to the medical industry with an emphasis on reaching enrollment goals, quality data collection and complete regulatory compliance.

Investigators practice at five area hospitals and are dedicated to evidence-based medicine, have a broad base of expertise. Additionally, OFCR has a number of affiliated specialty investigators who are research oriented. These doctors, under the rigorous guidance of the Food and Drug Administration, provide their patients early access to some of the most advanced cardiovascular devices and medications available in the world.

With a patient base of approximately 1 million people in the Oklahoma City area, OFCR offers a valuable service to both the sponsor and participants. The central location is within 15 minutes of the airport and is just minutes from area highways. In addition, satellite offices are within easy driving distance from the main location.

The facility is equipped with dedicated monitoring space, a pharmacy, a -20 degree non-defrosting refrigerator, a laboratory, clinic rooms for patient visits, CXR, EKG, holter monitoring, stress testing, and nuclear testing.

OFCR is pleased to review any study protocols that would be beneficial to our participants, and invite visits to the OFCR research facility anytime.

OFCR has many medical "Firsts" in the state and in the nation, including being first to :

• Test the newest medications leading to improved health in people with heart failure.

• Use radiation to treat the reblockage of heart arteries.

• Perform PTMR and TMR procedures using a laser beam to selectively place holes in the heart to determine if chronic heart pain can be stopped.

• Evaluate devices which led to eventual FDA approval of arthrectomy & rotablator catheters, small cutting devices used to remove plaque from heart arteries; stents, tiny stainless steel coils to hold open the artery; angiojet, a suction device used to remove blood clots causing a heart attack, and laser, used to remove plaque within leg and heart arteries.

• Test and evaluate anti-platelet drugs to reduce death, heart attack and the need for repeat angioplasty.

• Provide a wearable defibrillator vest, capable of monitoring the heart and providing a shock, if needed, to people at risk for sudden death.

Click here to read a firsthand account of a patient wearing a cardioverter defibrillator.

Cardiovascular Related Interests:

Other Research Interests:

Endocrine, Hormonal, Migraine, and Infectious Disease