UPMC Montefiore Clinical and Translational Research Center

The Montefiore Clinical and Translational Research Center (MUH-CTRC) provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, inpatient and outpatient facilities, specialized equipment, and experienced staff to support clinical and translational research. The MUH-CTRC is located on the 6th floor of UPMC Montefiore and typically has more than 100 research protocols in its portfolio. MUH-CTRC administrative staff maintain rigorous oversight of all studies and assist investigators with every aspect of research from study design and budget development through implementation.

The MUH-CTRC has five inpatient and three outpatient private rooms; an outpatient suite with three beds and treatment chairs; six outpatient examination rooms; interview room; bariatric bed; and sample-processing laboratory. Personnel include research nurses and support staff.

• Five inpatient and three outpatient private rooms
• An outpatient suite with three beds and treatment chairs
• Six outpatient examination rooms
• Interview room
• Bariatric bed
• A vascular research procedure room (see below)
• Sample-processing laboratory
• Research nurses and support staff available

• Consultation during protocol development to review feasibility
• Assistance with development of protocol-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Execution and completion of pilot protocols, phase I, II, III clinical trials
• Protocol conduct and support
• Phlebotomy and intravenous catheter placement
• Vascular device access
• Collection and processing of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic specimens
• Administration of oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous investigational agents (including chemotherapy and biologic agents) by certified oncology nurses
• Electrocardiogram services (single and sequential)
• Frequent vital signs including pulse oximetry
• Collection, processing, and shipping of safety laboratory specimens
• Patient education
• Acute and emergency care with full support of a UPMC code team

The MUH-CTRC provides specialized expertise in vascular research procedures. A registered vascular sonographer performs all vascular testing, image interpretation, and data analysis. The sonographer can also assist investigators in preparation of programs and presentations.

• Brachial and radial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) with and without nitroglycerin
• Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT)
• Carotid plaque assessment (detection and characterization)
• Peripheral arterial tone for measuring endothelium-mediated changes in vascular tone (EndoPAT)
• Arterial waveform analysis (PWA)
• Parameters of vascular stiffness, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity (PWV)
• Quipu Cardiovascular Suite software
• GE LOGIQ S8 Ultrasound with Advanced Vascular Data Acquisition System
• SphygmoCor Arterial Waveform Analysis System
• EndoPAT 2000