Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

To evaluate the role of known genes involved in lipid metabolism on serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in Samoans residing in American and Western Samoa, who were exposed to the biobehavioral changes of modernization.

To investigate the genetics and epidemiology of fasting and postprandial lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels.

To complete end point analysis for the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study (MARS) and to compare coronary versus carotid treatment effect relationships in MARS to coronary versus carotid treatment effect relationships in the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study (CLAS). Both MARS and CLAS were serial arterial imaging trials that explored the reversibility of atherosclerosis with lipid-lowering therapy in native coronary, carotid, and femoral arterial beds, as well as in coronary artery bypass grafts.

The walls of blood vessels are lined by flat cells that are responsible for releasing substance(s) that control the activity of the blood vessel. These cells are referred to as the endothelium of the blood vessel. One of the substances released from the endothelium is called nitric oxide (NO). This substance functions to keep blood vessels relaxed and to prevent blood from clotting inside the vessels. Studies done by researchers in the Cardiology Branch of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have shown that nitric oxide activity may be lower in patients with hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and risk factors for atherosclerosis. Another substance released by the cells of the endothelium is called bradykinin. It functions to stimulate the production of nitric oxide. Therefore bradykinin is also responsible for the relaxation and widening of blood vessels. An enzyme found in the blood called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inactivates baradykinin and thereby decreases the production of nitric oxide. The activity of ACE is determined by genetics and is different in each person. Medications that block ACE (ACE-inhibitors) may be useful for patients with high levels of ACE activity. This study is designed to determine; The role of bradkinin in stimulating the production of nitric oxide Whether ACE-inhibitors improve blood vessel relaxation caused by bradykinin Whether ACE-inhibitors improve abnormal blood vessel relaxation Whether ACE-inhibitors and bradykinin affect blood clotting Whether blood vessel response to ACE-inhibitor and bradykinin depends on the patients genetic make-up

Stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are common and highly lethal vascular diseases. Angiogenesis and infiltration of inflammatory cells such as macrophages may cause stroke and AAAs. The purpose of this study is to test PET/CT and PET/MRI imaging to specifically detect those diseases using a new developed agent (18F-FPPRGD2) that can target angiogenesis and macrophages.

In recent years, medical research into the cause and progression of heart disease due to narrowing and blockage of blood vessels to the heart muscle has improved the understanding of ischemic heart disease. It is now accepted that both the development and later progression with sudden blockage of blood vessels are associated with inflammation, although it remains unknown exactly what triggers this inflammatory process. It is possible that new blood tests which measure markers of inflammation in the bloodstream may be useful to help identify patients at risk of heart damage and assess response to treatment. The study plans to assess a new blood test for a known marker of inflammation (IL-4) in patients with heart disease. The hypothesis of this study is that, the cytokine, IL-4, measured by a new assay, is abnormally elevated in the blood of patients with coronary artery disease. Also hypothesized is that the degree of abnormality of blood IL-4, is related to important clinical events in such patients, including severity of disease, acute complications, and treatment.

Approximately one billion people suffer from hypertension worldwide. At least 10% of this population, that is, 100 million people, also suffers from associated chronic conditions namely, atrial fibrillation (AF), obesity, arterial stiffness (AS), and heart failure (HF). Personal interaction with medical practitioners (doctors) and review of published clinical research confirms that current non-invasive automatic blood pressure (BP) monitors that rely on BP pulse analysis alone cannot provide accurate measurement due to the unpredictable/weak nature of BP pulses in the above-mentioned chronic conditions. Lack of accuracy in BP estimation can lead to wrong diagnoses and hence to complications such as stokes and heart attacks. The Sponsor is developing a novel non-invasive BP monitor that is similar to existing automatic monitors yet is capable of acquiring and analyzing electrocardiogram (ECG) data in conjunction with BP pulse data to provide better and more accurate measurements in the above chronic conditions. The objective of this clinical trial is to evaluate the performance of this ECG-assisted BP monitor against invasive BP measurements in a small group of patients who suffer from the above conditions.

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a link between calcium build up in the veins or arteries (including the veins/arteries of the heart) and deterioration of the bone. This will help understand if there is a connection between heart disease and bone disease.

Hypothesis: Enlisted military members with 10 or more years of service and at least one cardiovascular risk factor will demonstrate a higher risk of future cardiac events as assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring than the risk calculated by the Framingham Risk Score.

The aim of this trial will be to test and validate the value of scintigraphy with injection of 99mTc-Annexin-V-128 for the detection of complicated carotid plaques