
The Effect of Clopidogrel on Coated-Platelets in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization
Coronary Artery DiseaseChest PainThis study will explore the effect of clopidogrel on coated-platelets in patients who are given a loading dose before diagnostic catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention. We hypothesis that clopidogrel will reduce the percentage of platelets that are coated and therefore more hypercoagulable.

By Pass Surgery With Stem Cell Therapy in Chronic Ischemic Cardiopathy
Ischemic Heart DiseaseSurgical revascularization has proven its efficacy in term of morbidity and mortality in patients with multivessel coronary disease and poor left ventricular function. Nevertheless, if left ventricle is severely dilated, the improvement of global contractility and reduction of volumes is frequently absent after CABG even if substantial amount of myocardial viability is present. A value of > 140 ml for end systolic volume has been proposed as the cut off for the absence of recovery after revascularization. Recently, a reduction of cardiac volumes and improvement of regional and global contractility has been demonstrated in patients with advanced ischemic heart disease, severe dilation of left ventricle and poor candidates for revascularization after injection of stem cells in territories with residual viability.

Direct Renin Inhibition Effects on Atherosclerotic Biomarkers
Coronary Artery DiseaseType 2 Diabetes MellitusThe investigators aim to assess if a new blood pressure medication, aliskiren, reduces various biomarkers of heart disease found in the blood in patients with a history of both heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The primary hypothesis is that aliskiren will reduce these biomarkers compared to a calcium channel blocker.

Aspirin Resistance in Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to evaluate possible mechanisms of aspirin resistance at a molecular level in aspirin-treated patients with coronary artery disease. We hypothesize that certain patient characteristics associate with aspirin resistance. In addition, we will compare the effects of enteric-coated aspirin and chewable aspirin.

PIONIR Study (Presillion™ and Presillion™ Plus Stent Systems)
Ischemic Heart DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to collect and analyze additional information about the safety and effectiveness of the Presillion™ Stent System in the treatment of de novo stenotic lesions in native coronary arteries.

Study of Oral Rapamycin Plus Bare Metal Stents vs Drug Eltuting Stents
Coronary Heart DiseaseCoronary RestenosisIn a previous randomized comparison oral sirolimus plus bare metal stent compared to bare metal stent implantation alone demonstrated at one year of follow up a significant reduction of angiographic and clinical parameters of restenosis (ANMAT resolution number 3366 from June 2004 and Rodriguez A et al JACC,2006,47,1522-1529). In addition previous reported registries from our group with Drug Eluting Stents showed similar amount of reduction in clinical parameters (not angiographic)of restenosis (ERACI III, Rodriguez A et al EuroIntervention 2006,2:53-60). Taking in account that 8.3% of patients treated with oral rapamycin plus Bare Metal Stents(ORAR II Trial JACC 2006)and 8.8% of patients treated with DES developed clinical restenosis (ERACI III Registry, EuroIntervention 2006) the investigators sought to compare differences in overall cost with both revascularization strategies at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years of follow up assuming that safety and efficacy clinical end points would be similar.

Effect of Grape Seed Extract Plus Ascorbic Acid on Endothelial Function
Coronary Artery DiseaseA pilot study of 15 subjects will be conducted to confirm an acute effect of grape seed extract on endothelial function. We then will perform a a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study designed to investigate the benefit of grape seed extract/vitamin C treatment on endothelial function. Participants (n=40) will take a food supplement containing 450 mg of grape seed extract and 1500 mg of vitamin C or matching placebo for four weeks and then cross over to the alternative treatment (active supplement or placebo) for four weeks. We will examine endothelial function before and after each of the two treatment periods. The study will provide information about the vascular effects of these compounds.

Exercise Training, Insulin Resistance and Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery DiseaseGlucose IntoleranceThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exercise training on insulin resistance in subjects with coronary artery disease independent of changes in weight, diet, or the effect of an acute bout of exercise. We hypothesized that subjects with CAD and high normal or impaired glucose tolerance performing 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training while on a non weight-reducing diet, would have a greater decrease in insulin resistance than controls measured at 72 hours following their last bout of exercise.

Evaluating a Low-Literacy Discharge Medication Education Tool
Congestive Heart FailureCoronary Artery DiseaseRecent studies have demonstrated that patients sub-optimally understand hospital discharge medication instructions Health literacy has been shown to be an important factor in patient understanding of medical information , and following medication instructions. The primary aim of this project is to test the efficacy of a low-literacy discharge medication education tool on medication adherence, and patient knowledge and understanding of inpatient discharge medications, in a low-income population with low health literacy levels. This evaluation is a prospective trial with patients randomly assigned to either receiving this tool or receiving the current standard of care. Given the complexity of the discharge medication regimen for the conditions of congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary artery disease (CAD), and the proven effectiveness of these medications in the post discharge period, this trial will focus on the subpopulation of patients hospitalized with these two conditions.

Randomised Ischaemic Mitral Evaluation (RIME) Trial
Mitral RegurgitationCoronary Artery DiseaseThe study is a randomised controlled trial comparing two treatment strategies for patients with moderate functional ischaemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients will be randomised to receive either CABG alone or CABG plus mitral annuloplasty. The objective of the study is to determine if mitral annuloplasty in addition to CABG improves outcome in patients with moderate functional ischaemic mitral regurgitation.