Insights
Plain-language articles on clinical trials, conditions, and procedures — written for patients and partners.
For Patients
February 26, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
From the first phone call through the final follow-up visit, here is a step-by-step look at what participating in a cardiovascular clinical trial actually involves.
Read moreClinical Research Basics
February 19, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
Drug clinical trials are organized into phases. Each one answers different safety and effectiveness questions. Here is what each phase is for, in plain language.
Read moreClinical Research Basics
February 12, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
First-in-human (FIH) trials are the first time a new therapy is studied in people. Here is how protocols, oversight, and site experience combine to keep participants safe.
Read moreConditions & Procedures
February 5, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
Atherectomy is an endovascular technique that removes or modifies arterial plaque, often used in calcified peripheral artery disease. Here is how it works.
Read moreConditions & Procedures
January 29, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
PAD affects millions of adults in the U.S. Learn the warning signs, how it is diagnosed, and the modern range of treatment options — including ongoing clinical research.
Read moreConditions & Procedures
January 22, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a diseased aortic valve through a catheter — without open-heart surgery. Here is how it works and who it helps.
Read moreFor Patients
January 15, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
Eligibility for a cardiovascular clinical trial depends on the study's protocol — but the basic principles are the same across trials. Here is how qualification works.
Read moreClinical Research Basics
January 8, 2026Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FACC
A clear, plain-language explanation of cardiovascular clinical trials — what they study, how they protect participants, and the role they play in advancing heart and vascular care.
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