On this page, you can find frequently asked questions that participants have asked. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us any time at (877) 718-8003 or predetermine@research.bwh.harvard.edu.

1. Who is eligible to participate in PRE-DETERMINE?

• Males and females over the age of 18 years old with a prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) that may have resulted in a heart attack (narrowing or complete blockage of a coronary artery that results in death of the heart muscle supplied by that vessel) and/or mild to moderate weakness of the heart muscle have been enrolled at 136 clinical sites that specialize in cardiology or electrophysiology throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to CAD and heart attack, there were a few other medical qualifying factors that were accessed to determine eligibility. At this time, study enrollment has closed and questionnaire follow-up remains ongoing. 

2. Do participants get paid to participate in the study?

• No, the Clinical Coordinating Center does not pay participants for their participation in the study. We hope the information collected will help to increase medical knowledge about the continuing health of people with abnormal heart-function after a heart attack.

3. Is it possible to complete the questionnaire via phone?/ Q. What are the options for returning the questionnaire?

• You may choose to return the questionnaire via postal mail or call us to complete it over the phone - whichever is easiest for you. 

4. Should I still complete the questionnaire if my cardiac health has not changed within the last 6 months?

• Yes! Even if your health has not changed, please continue to fill out and return the study questionnaires. If we do not receive your questionnaire in the mail, we may follow up with you over the phone.

5. Why is it necessary to obtain the medical records when I have a cardiac-related medical diagnosis or have undergone a hospitalization?

• We are interested in obtaining the medical records to verify that the event has occurred. The records obtained will be solely related to the event and will be kept strictly confidential and used only for the related purpose.

6. Why do you need the contact information for my family members and/or friends?

• We need the contact information for family members and/or friends to keep in contact with you. It is common that participants move and forget to notify us of their new address. Therefore, we use your personal contacts to reconnect with you. Please inform contacts that you are enrolled in the study so they are aware that we may need to contact them in the future.
• In the event that you pass away, your next-of-kin or other family member/friend will be contacted to obtain medical records in order to investigate the specific cause of death and to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the death.

7. What is the purpose of the study?>

• The purpose of this study is to more accurately identify people who are at risk for developing complications of coronary artery disease, particularly life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances. Early identification of those at risk may then allow us to intervene and prevent sudden cardiac death. We also hope to advance knowledge regarding potential underlying causes of sudden cardiac death, which eventually could lead to new therapies.

8. How did I get involved in this study?

• You were enrolled by your cardiologist and/or electrophysiologist, because they determined you would be an ideal candidate for this study.

9. Why do you need my date of birth on the questionnaire?

• It is important to verify your date of birth to ensure that the data being collected is from the participant that was originally determined eligible for the study. If needed, your health-care proxy can complete your questionnaire for you, but that individual must provide us with your date of birth as well.

10. How do I update my contact information or the information for my personal contacts?

• Here are the methods that you can use to update your contact information: 
  • Write new contact information on the back side of your 6-month questionnaire.
  • Call the Clinical Coordinating Center at (877) 718-8003.
  • Click the "Update Contact Information" tab located on the top left-hand side of the page, fill out the form, and click submit. The information will then be sent to the Clinical Coordinating Center to update our records.

  11. How long will the study last?

  • The study is expected to continue for a few more years or longer. We will continue to contact you via mail or phone every 6 months to assess your current health status during this time. Thank you for your continued participation and dedication to this important study. We highly value your time and effort!