Active clinical trials for "Heart and Blood Diseases"

A growing number of studies highlight the potential of stem cell transplantation as a novel therapeutic approach for stroke in animal model. But the stem cell therapy for chronic stroke patients has not been well investigated yet. In this study, the investigators will test the hypothesis that intracerebral peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell (CD34+) (PBSC) transplantation induces neuroplasticity in chronic stroke patients. The remyelination of corticospinal tract in the lesion side, focal increased perfusion and increased cortical activity in the peri-infarcted area will be monitored by the functional MRI after stem cell therapy. The investigators study is aimed to find the potential mechanisms of the functional recovery after stem cell implantation. The investigators also hope to find image surrogate markers for prediction of patient outcome. The possible surrogate markers will be helpful in improving the treatment procedure and patient selection.

The primary objective of the EASY-CHINA Registry is to describe the clinical epidemiology of Chinese patients with NSTE-ACS, to evaluate their current anticoagulation management in China, and the resources used for it.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether matrix metalloproteinases are associated with atherosclerosis in the different stages of chronic kidney disease.

Q-fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular bacterium. Since the epidemic outbreak of acute Q-fever in Holland nearly 4030 people have been registered with the acute form of the disease. Knowing that only 40% of all infected people develop symptoms, the number of infected people (and potential candidates for chronic Q-fever) are much higher. Chronic Q-fever generally manifest itself after a couple of months or years after the primary infection (in 1-5% of all cases). The clinical presentation can be a life-threatening and frequently underdiagnosed disease, as endocarditis, infected aneurysm and vascular prosthesis or chronic Q-fever related to pregnancy and immunecompromised patients. That's why a screening program is started in the endemic area and trace patients with chronic Q-fever. So eventually, a greater group of patients with chronic vascular Q-fever can be described. In addition, there is still no therapeutic guideline for management of chronic Q-fever in patient with a vascular chronic Q-fever. Patients with an aneurysm or vascular graft will be screened for chronic Q-fever. Patients with chronic Q-fever will be included in a follow-up program, in which additional research and treatment will start. The initial treatment of patients with chronic Q-fever is doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for at least 18 months. In addition, patients will be monitored in 3-monthly controls, blood samples and imaging will be done. Parameters as complaints, titers, circulating DNA, grow of aneurysm, complications etc. will be investigated. Ultimately, the current therapeutic guideline for management of C. burnetii will be evaluated if it can also be applied for patients with vascular chronic Q-fever.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the orthostatic hypotension reported among subjects during bortezomib-containing regimen is caused by a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

The registry study is to obtain the state of the art of the percutaneous coronary intervention state treatment for coronary heart disease in Beijing area of P.R.China in a real world. The data are collected from 48 hospitals in Beijing area using an uploading system through internet.

The investigators have previously shown that a frequency of 15.95-16.00 Hz protects against acute myocardial infarction in rats. In the current study the investigators would like to investigate whether this frequency enables cardiac patients with exercise-induced chest pain to exercise at higher workload and heart rate. Therefore, patients will undergo two exercise stress tests, one test after being exposed to 30 minutes of the above mentioned frequency and another test after being exposed to sham (no frequency is turned ON). The investigators will measure changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG), workload, exercise time, and subjective measure of chest pain (angina).

Clots that develop in the deep veins of the legs or the lungs can result in pain, heart and lung disease and may lead to death if unrecognized or not treated. Risk factors for developing clots include surgery, hospitalization and/or being immobile. Up to 10 to 40% of people may develop a clot during or after their hospital stay or surgery, and sometimes these clots do not cause symptoms. In order to help reduce the risk of developing a clot in the legs or lungs, many people undergoing surgery receive a small dose of a blood thinner in hospital after their surgery is completed. Although prescription of a low dose blood thinner is routine practice after most surgeries, the risk or benefit of blood thinners after kidney transplant surgery is still not clear. Given this, many transplant physicians differ in prescribing practices of low dose blood thinners after kidney transplant surgery. More information is needed about the risk of clotting and bleeding in people after kidney transplant surgery so that physicians can become more unified in deciding whether a low dose blood thinner would protect patients after kidney transplant without producing harm. The REPORT study is designed to examine the risk of clotting in the legs or lungs in people after kidney transplant surgery as well as the risk of bleeding. Ultrasounds of the legs will be performed at various time points after surgery for up to one year to screen for blood clots. People participating in this study will also be screened and monitored for bleeding after surgery. Although this study will also examine the prescription practices of physicians, no blood thinners will be given or withheld from participants as a result of this study. Physicians will prescribe blood thinners as per their usual practice after kidney transplant. Overall, the goal of the study is to find out how frequent clotting and/or bleeding is after kidney transplant surgery, which will help in making recommendations regarding the use of low dose blood thinners in people after their surgery. Ultrasound scanning of the legs is a safe test that does not cause physical pain and has no risk of causing injury. Participation in this study will provide the benefit of additional monitoring with several ultrasound tests after surgery, screening for clots in the legs which can cause health risks and even death if unrecognized. If a clot is found, it will be treated promptly and according to current medical standards under the care of a specialist. In the long term, the results of this study will help improve health care delivery to people undergoing kidney transplant with the goal of decreasing potential complications such as clotting and/or bleeding. Currently, there are no guidelines available to guide physician's in the use of a low dose blood thinner after kidney transplant surgery. This study will help determine the risk of clotting or bleeding and help us make recommendations that will reduce potential risks and complications for people undergoing kidney transplant in the future.

The purpose of this study is to analyze genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines, and study the genetic predisposition to chronic periodontitis (CP) in combination with atherosclerotic cardiovascular (ACD) and aneurysmal diseases. The investigators will also try to identify oral bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques and aneurysmal walls and thrombus. Histological analyses of atherosclerotic plaques and aneurysmal wall will be performed.

With the advances in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology, CT angiography (CTA) of the coronary arteries using 64-slice or dual-source CT systems has evolved into a robust, alternative, noninvasive imaging technique to rule out coronary artery disease (CAD). Reported sensitivities and specificities of coronary CTA can compete with those of catheter angiography. Because CT is the major source of ionizing radiation in medicine, dual isotope myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary CTA 16-, 64-slice MDCT and DSCT scanners are associated with the highest amount of radiation dose. Recently, a new generation of MDCT machines with even more detector row (320) has become clinically available. The maximum detector width of 16 cm enables the entire heart to be examined in a single rotation and within a single heartbeat and is expected to substantially reduce artifacts from breathing and body motion. Due to high volume coverage, 320-slice CT machines are able to perform a nonspiral, ECG-gated examination of the heart within a single breath-hold. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of hemodynamic status of 320 MDCT, echocardiography, and coronary catheterization in patients who suspected coronary artery disease.