Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

The purpose of this study is to determine the: Natural history of calcification posttransplantation Natural history of BMC following renal transplantation Reverse correlation between calcification score and aortic calcifications following renal transplantation Correlation of IMT, BMC, PWV and biochemical variables Correlation of IMT, BMC, PWV, biochemical variables and outcome Predictors of CV disease after transplantation Predictors of IMT progression, BMC loss and PWV progression after renal transplantation

The DEScover Registry is designed to observe the results of using Drug Eluting Stents (DES) in patients in a real-world setting. The stents being observed are not investigational, that is, they have been approved for use in the general population.

clinically relevant in stent restenosis occurs in 5-10% of the non-diabetic patients treated with a coronary bare metal stent. Recent research has identified endothelial progenitor cells as well as dendritic cells as components of neointima. Numerical and functional evaluation of endothelial progenitor and dendritic cells at the time of coronary stent implantation is assessed and the relation with clinical and/or angiographic restenosis at 6 months post-stent implantation is evaluated.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid IMT can predict the presence of more advanced atherosclerosis such as carotid stenosis, coronary or intracranial artery disease by MDCT and whether MDCT could be useful next step for more aggressive treatment modality in Korean type 2 diabetic patients.

This study will identify genes and proteins in the blood of patients with atherosclerosis and in that of normal volunteers. The findings will be compared to determine the influence of these substances on the development of atherosclerosis a narrowing and hardening of blood vessel walls by deposits of fatty substances. Blood vessel blockage caused by atherosclerosis can impede blood flow and cause stroke, heart attack and poor limb circulation. The information from this study may lead to better ways to detect, prevent and treat these diseases. Healthy volunteers and patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, are eligible for this study. Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the inner layer of the carotid artery (neck artery supplying blood to the brain) is scraped away to open the blocked vessel. Participants will undergo the following tests and procedures: Patients Blood sample: Collection of about 32 cc (8 tablespoons) of blood for genetic and protein analysis Tissue sample: Collection of a piece of diseased blood vessel discarded from the endarterectomy procedure Review of records: Review of medical records for information about past illnesses, medications, tests, and so forth, if needed Normal Volunteers Blood samples: Collection of about 32 cc (8 tablespoons) of blood for genetic and protein analysis Carotid artery ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging of the neck arteries for detection of any blockage Electrocardiogram: Recording of the electrical activity of the heart to detect any abnormalities in heart rhythm Echocardiogram: Ultrasound examination to detect possible abnormalities of the heart muscle Cardiac stress test: Treadmill stress test to detect possible heart vessel blockage (for subjects who have not had a cardiac stress test in the past year) Review of records: Review of medical records for information about past illnesses, medications, tests, and so forth, if needed

To identify new cellular, metabolic, and genomic correlates of atherosclerotic plaque and early pathologic changes in the vascular wall and determine their consequences for coronary heart disease and stroke.

AIM 1 will test the hypothesis that elevation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) through treatment with Niaspan will accelerate the regression of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with established atherosclerosis. The investigators will therefore study patients with atherosclerosis in the aorta and carotid artery. Plaque quantification will be with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). AIM 2 will assess the ability of Niaspan to improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus, who typically have low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high risk of cardiovascular events.

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.