Carotid Plaque Regression With Statin Treatment Assessed by High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging...
Carotid AtherosclerosisThe purpose of the study is to determine if short term (6 months) treatment with statins to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vascular disease patients with carotid plaque will be associated with a measurable reduction in carotid plaque volume using 3 Tesla MRI. The researchers will correlate the change in plaque volume to degree of LDL lowering. The researchers will also study if brief treatment will lead to change in plaque composition. The researchers will compare the change in plaque volume measured by 3T MRI with plaque burden measured by ultrasound.
Using Ultrasonography, Shear Wave Elastography, Strain Imaging, and 3-D Volume Ultrasonography on...
Fibromuscular Dysplasia of ArteriesSegmental Arterial Mediolysis2 moreThe researchers are trying to see whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, shear wave elastography, strain imaging, and 3-D volume ultrasonography improves arterial wall visualization and identifies arterial elastic properties among individuals with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), atherosclerosis, personal history of spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCAD), or personal history of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) that may be different compared to those without the aforementioned conditions.
Study to Evaluate Subclinical Atherosclerosis (an Early Sign of Heart Disease) in Healthy Adult...
HealthyPrevious research has shown that Asian Indians are at relatively high risk for developing diabetes, heart problems and high blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis (an early sign of heart disease) which may be associated with abnormalities like diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol and heart problems. Endothelium is the inner lining of your blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is found more in people with diabetes. In addition, high body mass index (BMI) is a strong risk factor for developing metabolic abnormalities like diabetes mellitus. This research study may provide information as to how useful endothelial dysfunction will be to detect people at risk of metabolic abnormalities and heart disease at an early stage. Two groups of subjects will be enrolled. Caucasians and Asian Indians There will be a total of 100 subjects participating in this study. Approximately 50 Caucasians and 50 Asian Indians will be enrolled. Caucasians will serve as the control group for this study.
Genetical, Anthropometrical and Biochemical Factors Influencing High Risk Subclinical Atherosclerosis...
Primary PreventionSubclinical atherosclerosis is the atherosclerotic process identified before clinical symptoms and thus it can be a useful marker of future cardiovascular events. It can be evaluated by many methods. This study included the diagnosis of subclincal atherosclerosis by four different methods: coronary calcium score, carotid doppler ultrasound to quantify intima media thickness and carotid plaques, exercise stress test and ankle brachial index. Clinical data, anthropometric measures (body mass index, abdominal circumference), markers of inflammation (high sensitive - C reactive protein, TNF alfa and Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2), fat tissue function (leptin, resistin and adiponectin), glucose metabolism (fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin and insulin) and genetics markers of atherosclerotic process were evaluated as biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis in a uneventful population.
The Role of Stem Cells on Immune Cells in the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases
AtherosclerosisCardiovascular DiseasesAn observational pilot proof-of-principle study. 15 patients with significant coronary artery disease and 15 matched controls. To investigate whether long-term activation of the innate immune system, named 'trained innate immunity', occurs at the level of the bone marrow progenitor cells in patients with significant coronary artery disease and whether this correlates with the proinflammatory phenotype of monocytes.
Trial on Vascular Inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic DermatitisVascular Inflammation1 moreA total of 30 subjects with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Thirty subjects without AD matched for sex, age and coronary artery disease risk factor with the AD subjects will also be included. All subjects will undergo the following imaging procedures: a 18FDG-PET to quantify vascular inflammation in the ascending aorta and carotids and a MDCT to calculate the Agatston score. Skin and blood biomarkers will also be assessed.
Correlation Between Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate(eGFR) and Vascular Inflammation Measured...
AtherosclerosisVascular inflammation is a key factor in both the pathogenesis and outcome of atherosclerosis. Renal insufficiency is close correlation with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation within atherosclerotic plaques.Therefore, the purpose of the study is to demonstrate the correlation between eGFR and vascular inflammation detected by 18F FDG-PET.
Evaluation of Asymptomatic Coronary Atherosclerotic Disease Among People of Kalamazoo, MI
Coronary Artery DiseaseAtherosclerosisThe primary goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) in Kalamazoo and its neighboring areas using Coronary Computed Tomography (CCTA) and Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) to assess if asymptomatic CAD is widespread enough to warrant implementation of CCTA as a routine screening tool. Additionally, this study will use the CCTA results to evaluate several methods of assessing CAD risk in the asymptomatic population including Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Reynold's Risk Score, Biomarkers (High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, Fibrinogen, Vertical Auto Profile, oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B1 (ApoB1), Vitamin D, Homocysteine) as well as a large panel of genetic markers of atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia.
Plaque Burden Pre- Myocardial Revascularisation
AtherosclerosisThe study is a prospective-observational, explorative single-centre cohort study aimed to examine the influence of the peripheral atherosclerotic plaque volume on short and long term morbidity and mortality in patient after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Atherosclerotic disease (IMT, plaque volume) will be measured with a ultrasound system (IMT measurements and 3D quantitative plaque volumetric). Hemodynamic and flow profiles of the internal thoracic arteries will be evaluated additionally with US. These parameters will be measured pre-CABG. Morbidity will be evaluated using quality of life questionnaires (EQ-5D-3L, IPAQ). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) will be the primary endpoint. The atherosclerotic burden will be compared with established risk scores (EuroSCORE, STS-Score, SYNTAX Score, FORECAST.
Study on Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerotic Cerebral Occlusive Disease With Remote Ischemic...
Cerebral AtherosclerosisThe primary objective of the study will be to determine whether remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) together with conventional medication therapy compared with only medication therapy reduces the 3-month risk of composite cardio-cerebral vascular event in patients with a recent TIA or IS caused by occlusion of a cerebral artery. After screening period, eligible patients will be randomly allocated into 2 groups.In addition, all participants receive an usual clinical therapy.