Active clinical trials for "Aortic Aneurysm"

This study aims to measure the radiation safety climate in the hybrid angiography suite using self-assessment and to investigate the relationship of radiation safety climate with their self-reported safety behaviors. The hypothesis is that a radiation safety climate does exist and can be measured using self-assessment. Additionally, it is expected that the radiation safety climate positively influences radiation safety behaviors.

BACKGROUND Major blood loss is frequent in open repair of ruptured and intact abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) as well as in aorto-bifurcated prosthesis insertion due to aortoiliac occlusive disease. Major blood loss is associated with death, post-operative complications and coagulopathy. Data from randomized trials in trauma patients indicate that a high plasma to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion ratio reduces 30-day mortality. No randomized trial data are available for the AAA population. Observational data demonstrate, that a high plasma:RBC transfusion ratio associates to a lower 30 day mortality. However, the reports are based on small cohorts of 78-165 patients, short term outcomes and lack information on major adverse events such as cardiac and respiratory. The Danish Vascular Registry (DVR), covering 1996-2018, contains data on approx. 4,400 ruptured and 8,200 intact (elective/symptomatic) AAA repairs, and 5,400 open aortoiliac repairs due to occlusive disease. Expected total count 1997-2018: 17,000. The Danish Transfusion Database (DTDB), covering approx. 1997-2018, contains information on units of RBCs, plasma and platelets transfused. A unique patient identification number (CPR) allows merging of all data set. OBJECTIVE To identify whether resuscitation with a high plasma to RBC ratio associates to improves survival in open abdominal aortic surgery as compared to a low plasma to RBC-ratio. PICO Population: Open abdominal aortic surgery Intervention: "High FFP": FFP to RBC unit ratio of 2:3 to 3:3 (0.7 - 1.0) Comparison: "Low FFP": FFP to RBC unit ratio of 0:3 to 1:3 (0.0 - 0.3) Outcome: All-cause mortality 90 days following surgery. DATA SOURCES CPR, Danish Civil Registration System. DNPR, Danish National Patient registry. DVR, Danish Vascular registry. DPDB, The Danish national Prescription DataBase.

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of the use of the GORE® TAG® Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis to treat aneurysms involving the proximal Descending Thoracic Aorta (DTA)

Ongoing technological advances, especially in the field of image processing, have refined medical simulations to offer life-like replications of medical and surgical procedures in a variety of specialties. Patient-specific image data are incorporated into these simulations, and transformed into a 3D model. This enables the practitioner and his/her team to perform and practice 'real' cases on a virtual patient prior to performing the real procedure on the actual patient. This new technology has been referred to as 'patient-specific' rehearsal, also 'mission' or 'procedure' rehearsal. Research has already proven that simulated patient-specific rehearsal of a carotid artery stenting procedure may enhance surgical and team performance. The PROcedure rehearsal software can now also be used to practice patient-specific endovascular repair of infrarenal aortic aneurysms (EVAR). The ability to rehearse a challenging and complex procedure like EVAR may not only influence device selection based on preoperative planning, but also improve the technical performance of the surgeon/radiologist and the awareness and communication within the entire endovascular team. However, further research is needed to evaluate if this new technology may enhance clinical safety and efficiency, i.e. if patients actually benefit from physicians and team members conducting patient-specific rehearsals of EVAR interventions.

The association between obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has mostly been studied using broad endpoints or have focused on cause-specific mortality. The investigators aim to compare the effect of body mass index (BMI) on different types of initial presentation of CVD.

The purpose of this study is to compare the radiation exposure of a variety of chest CT examinations performed on the current state of the art CT scanners (64 slice, dual source CT scanner) with the radiation exposure for identical chest CT examinations performed on the Siemens Flash CT scanner (high pitch dual source spiral technique).

Cortisol deficiency is diagnosed by the adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulation test. This test measures cortisol levels in the blood before and after giving an injection of ACTH. Currently, the results of this test can only be reliably interpreted when it is carried out on people in non-stressful situations. Frequently the test is carried out in hospitalized patients in stressful situations, giving results that are hard to interpret. Our study is to first do this test in a non-stressful situation, followed by a repeat test in a stressful situation, to compare the results and create a set of guidelines for interpreting the test when it is carried out in stressful situations.

There is a need to understand how long anesthetic drugs last in the brain during surgery on the ascending aorta or aortic arch. Drugs can have a prolonged effect when blood temperature is made cold therefore the influence of temperature needs to be studied. This type of surgery allows us to answer questions about how anesthetic drugs behave when they are given during a routine portion of surgery. Patients will be provided with anesthetic drugs during surgery while on a heart lung machine. After the drug is injected into the heart lung machine it will be delivered to the brain to provide more sleep and pain relief. Immediately after the injection of anesthetic drugs, blood samples will be taken from an existing intravenous line in the neck and plasma drug concentrations measured. This will help us to understand how long drugs last in the brain during this type of surgery.

To identify the genetic (major genes) and environmental factors responsible for the significant aggregation of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) among relatives of affected individuals.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are considered "silent killers" because they scarcely display any symptomatology, but are correlated with significant mortality and morbidity. Current guidelines regard aortic aneurysm disease as a coronary artery disease equivalent and suggest aspirin and statin use to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis, as well as beta-blocker (BB) therapy. No therapy, however, is effective at limiting aneurysm expansion and preventing rupture, even in large trials. TAA has emerged as an inflammation-mediated disorder. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) can reduce the wall shear stress and inflammation, both of which play vital roles in the expansion of the aneurysm. The study will be a randomized, double-blind trial. Patients will be randomized into one of two parallel arms, receiving captopril or atenolol. The doses of captopril and atenolol will be 25 mg daily for the first 15 days, rising to 100 mg according to clinical tolerance and BP estimates. The sample size will be set at 424 subjects (212 per group). The primary end-point will be the rate of change in the absolute diameter of the aortic root and ascending aorta on MRI of the aorta after 36 months of therapy with captopril vs. atenolol. BBs have not been precisely found to decrease aneurysm growth rates. ACEIs could lead to the prevention of aneurysm degeneration through their antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties. The results of this trial will clarify that ACEIs are superior to BB therapy in reducing the growth rate of TAAs, the rate of change in aortic insufficiency, the time to aortic rupture or dissection, the need for aortic surgery or intervention, and death.