Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

Coronary MDCT (multi-detector computed tomography) has been useful screening imaging modality for the coronary artery disease. Recently, novel adipokines and hepatokines as well as various inflammatory markers have been known as direct regulators of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the investigators examine the correlation of various metabolic risk factors including adipokines and hepatokines with coronary atherosclerosis measured by coronary MDCT in apparently healthy people.

In Asia, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome have been dramatically increased. Therefore, the investigators intend to the collect the blood sample, laboratory, anthropometric, and body composition parameters prospectively to examine the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, the investigators will collect the data of carotid IMT and branchial ankle pulse wave velocity to clarify the metabolic risk factors of atherosclerosis.

Objective: We aimed at analyzing the relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis in medical treatment and periodontal treatment under medical and dental care across borders in a local cooperation system of Japanese medical services. Materials and methods: A prospective multi-center case cohort study was conducted on 37 ambulatory medical patients (with lifestyle-related diseases under consultation in either of the medical clinics registered as collaborative investigation facilities) and 79 periodontal patients (who were seen by the dental clinics registered as collaborative investigation facilities). Medical treatment and clinical periodontal treatment were provided on the subjects under medical and dental care across borders by each internal medicine and dental clinics. Systemic examination of lifestyle-related disease and periodontal examination were performed before and after periodontal treatment, and the relationships between periodontal and atherosclerosis-related clinical markers were analyzed before and after periodontal treatment.

Vascular inflammation is a key factor in both the pathogenesis and outcome of atherosclerosis. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising tool for identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation within atherosclerotic plaques. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with many cardiometabolic risk factors. NAFLD can be detected by measuring liver fat accumulation using computed tomography (CT). Also epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume as determined by computed tomography (CT) is an independent marker of cardiovascular events in the general population. Therefore, the purpose of this investigators study is to compare the NAFLD severity and EAT volume with FDG uptake measured by PET/CT.

It has been argued that social relationships are important to health and well-being. This study will investigate links between social networks and cardiovascular disease risk factors in South Asians, the second fastest growing ethnic group in the US and one with disparate rates of coronary heart disease. Identifying and understanding the links between social networks and cardiovascular disease is key to the development and testing of family- and community-level prevention interventions for minorities.

The aim of this study is to develop non-invasive MRI, and MRS approaches that will quantify the plaque composition and lipid content of plaques and will have the potential for repeated in vivo measurements. Simultaneously this study aims to develop US plaque imaging as a screening tool to select plaque phenotypes of interest for clinical trials (a large LRNC). For plaque composition imaging by MRI the researchers aim to increase scan resolution and decrease scan time. For quantifying plaque lipid content the researchers aim to develop an MRS protocol. Subsequently, the researchers intend to study the reproducibility of plaque composition and lipid content measurements by MRI, MRS and Ultrasound in subjects that have carotid artery plaques.

To determine whether there were differences in the prevalence and extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronaries and aortas between Alaskan natives and non-natives, and whether the extent of the lesions was related to omega-3 fatty acids in blood and tissues.

To examine the relationships among psychosocial factors and carotid atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and thrombosis.

To examine the relationship of obesity and body fat distribution to lipoprotein concentrations in members of the Strong Heart Study.

Using subjects from the Rochester Family Heart Study (RFHS), to characterize predictors of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a potent marker of atherosclerosis, among individuals from the general population.