
Generation of Marfan Syndrome and Fontan Cardiovascular Models Using Patient-specific Induced Pluripotent...
Marfan's SyndromeMedical researchers of National Heart Centre Singapore will carry out a state-of-the-art study that examines the possibility of changing patients' own cells into multi-functional and potent stem cells called iPS cells. These iPS cells can subsequently give rise to functional cardiac cells (myocytes) and other cardiovascular cells which might give further clues into the manifestation of the structural heart disease. This study involves blood sample collection for pre-screening and skin biopsies to establish skin cell culture.

Atrial Tachycardia as a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke and Mortality in Cryptogenic Stroke...
Cryptogenic StrokeAtrial Fibrillation1 moreThere is few information about the association between supraventricular arrhythmia different from atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial Flutter and the risk of stroke. In this study the investigators hypothesized that the presence of atrial tachycardia would lead to atrial fibrillation and recurrent stroke in patients hospitalized for cryptogenic stroke. The investigators study the association of atrial tachycardia (AT), defined as four or more consecutive premature atrial beats, and AF, recurrent stroke and cardiovascular mortality in 192 consecutive patients hospitalized because of cryptogenic stroke. The follow-up was 12 months for all population

Predictors of Treatment Response of Motor Sequels After a Stroke
Cerebrovascular AccidentThe cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is currently the leading cause of death in Brazil and it is estimated that there are about 62 million stroke survivors worldwide. Thus, the stroke sequels are a major public health problem not only in Brazil but in the world, with existing treatments often insufficient for complete recovery. Thus this study aims to identify predictors of different responses from rehabilitation therapy through the evaluation of clinical and neurophysiological data performed before and after treatment. For the neurophysiological study will be used the association of electroencephalogram (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This last one will be performed in the baseline and after a single Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) session, aiming to leverage the ability of those technics to analyze the cerebral plasticity. As a secondary objective: 1) Identify specific features of brain plasticity involved in recovery from stroke and discuss the possible implications of these findings in the therapeutic approach; 2) Search possible electrophysiological markers that can be used as surrogate outcome of stroke of motor sequel.

Plethismographic Perfusion Index in Neonates
Patent Ductus ArteriosusPersistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the NewbornPhotoplethismography will be measured and compared in newborns suffering from patent ductus arteriosus and normal controls.

Fluid-dynamics in Bifurcation PCI
AtherosclerosisCoronaryInvestigator-initiated, international, multicentre, observational study with two cohorts. The two study cohorts will be: Cohort A: to understand if the local blood flow patterns (associated with low WSS), as evaluated by computational fluid dynamic tools from combined angiographic and OCT invasive images, may better predict the clinical outcome of patients with bifurcated coronary lesions treated by PCI. Cohort B: to understand if the local blood flow patterns (associated with low WSS), as evaluated by computational fluid dynamic tools from combined angiographic and OCT invasive images, may better predict the clinical outcome of patients with sub-critical bifurcated lesions managed conservatively. Coronary angiography and OCT images will be combined to obtain a three-dimensional model of the diseased coronary vessels that will be used to calculate the local blood flow patterns and the time-averaged WSS at the bifurcated lesion level by using computational fluid dynamics software. Baseline (in patients both managed conservatively and treated by PCI) and post-PCI (in patients treated by PCI) images will be processed.

Noninvasive Diagnostic Platform for Liver Fibrosis and Portal Hypertension
Liver FibrosisCirrhosis1 moreThis study is to establish a noninvasive diagnostic platform based on hemodynamic information for the assessment of liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

The PAH Disability and Bothersomeness Questionnaire
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)To develop a patient-reported questionnaire to investigate the impact of PAH (pulmonary arterial hypertension) on patients' daily lives in terms of bothersomeness and disability.

A Survey of Hospitalizations in Cardiology Units in Sub-Saharan Africa
Acute Coronary SyndromeHeart Failure9 moreFEVRIER study is an observatory of hospitalizations in cardiology units in sub-Saharan Africa.

Application of speCtraL Computed tomogrAphy to impRove specIficity of Cardiac compuTed tomographY...
Coronary StenosisMyocardial Ischemia1 moreCardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and, if indicated, invasively measured fractional flow reserve (FFR) is currently used for ruling out significant coronary artery disease. FFRCT is a novel non-invasive technique in which FFR is derived from CT images, however this method is currently, just like CCTA, lacking specificity. Spectral Detector CT (SDCT) is a novel technique whereby a spectrum of monoenergetic images at different kiloelectron Volt (keV) values (40 to 200 keV) can be reconstructed. By using these monoenergetic images, a decrease in blooming and beam-hardening artifacts could be achieved. In addition, SDCT offers the opportunity to assess myocardial iodine distribution and quantification. When combining these factors, we hypothesize more accurate information will be available about the coronary anatomy, degree of stenosis and FFRCT and thereby contribute to a more accurate way for the detection of hemodynamic significant stenosis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of SDCT as a non-invasive way for the detection of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis. Objective: The overall objective of this project is to assess the accuracy of SDCT for the detection of flow limiting stenosis in the coronary arteries using invasive FFR as the standard of reference. Whereby different sub-aims (e.g. improvement of FFRCT) are made to answer the overall objective. The secondary objective is to determine the decrease of calcium blooming of calcifications and beam-hardening artifacts and the improvement of myocardial blood volume quantification on SDCT in comparison with conventional CT.

Investigation of the Cerebrospinal Fluid and Further Tissue Samples for Biomarker Indicating Spinal...
Thoracoabdominal Aortic AneurysmPatients with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in need of an endovascular or open operative restructuring will be asked to participate in this study. After obtaining written consent a central venous catheter and a liquor drainage will be routinely placed during surgery. The catheter and the drainage will stay in the patients for at least 72 hours postoperatively. In total, nine measurements of the liquor and serum will be performed within a week in order to determine the following parameters: neuropeptide P, neuropeptide Y, neurofilament triplet protein (NFL), S100B, glial fibrillary protein (GFAp), lactate, glucose, or oxygen.