Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterised by elevated plasma LDLC levels. The causal role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) in the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is indisputable: genetic, epidemiological and interventional trials have unanimously shown that a reduction in LDL-C is associated with a reduced risk of CVD. Some drawbacks related to the limitations of the analytical methods are slowly surfacing due to the lower LDLC target achieved with the combination of several new treatments. This is mainly due to the fact that LDLC is not a comprehensive marker to stratify cardiovascular risk in subjects with increased levels of other atherogenic lipoproteins. Direct measurement of the concentration of apolipoproteins involved in cholesterol and triglycerides transportation, may provide more information than the simple measure of the cholesterol contained in these particles. There is an interest in measuring the various players involved in the lipoprotein processing chain. These apolipoproteins are increasingly being considered as possible biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk. Indeed, there is increasing evidence that advanced lipoprotein testing methods, such as multiplexed measurements of apolipoprotein panels (ApoA-I, A-II, A-IV, B-100, C-I, C-II, C-III, E), provide more detailed information on the dyslipidaemic profiles of patients compared to conventional lipid testing, finally allowing a better understanding and stratification of subclinical atherosclerosis in these patients. The main objective of this study is to compare the apolipoprotein profile of patients with FH by comparing those with associated hypertriglyceridemia (hyperTG) to those with isolated hypercholesterolaemia. Adult subjects with a molecular diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolemia, treated by a statin, on primary prevention, asymptomatic for cardiovascular symptoms, will be recruited and stratified according to the presence/absence of hyperTG in a case-control prospective observational study design.

Protein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors demonstrated efficacy in cholesterol reduction and in the prevention of cardiovascular events. The investigators will evaluate changes in lipid profile, oxidation markers and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) during 12 weeks of treatment with a PCSK-9 inhibitor, Evolocumab®.

Interventional study to compare standard of care vs standard of care plus the use of a medication therapy management smartphone app (mediteo m+, Mediteo GmbH, Heidelberg) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and indication to start high intensity statin therapy.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE OF THE STUDY The analysis of the composition of the clot constitutes a promising tool for investigating the possible pathogenetic mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke. This analysis was made possible thanks to the numerous mechanical thrombectomy operations which have now become routine. Several studies have attempted to explore the possible relationship between the primary site of thrombus formation and clot composition, reporting that cardioembolic stroke may have a higher percentage of platelet-rich areas than noncardioembolic thrombosis. However, the data are conflicting and do not seem to support an association between clot histology and etiology. Furthermore, thrombus composition appears to influence thrombolysis and the efficacy of thrombectomy. For example, fibrin-rich thrombi appear to reduce the effectiveness of thrombolytic treatment and require more steps with mechanical thrombectomy treatment. Primary ENDPOINT: Evaluate how clot composition relates to stroke etiology according to the TOAST classification. Secondary ENDPOINT: relationship between different clot components and the degree of thrombectomy recanalization as defined by treatment modified cerebral ischemia score (mTICI). relationship between the different components of the clot and the number of steps required to achieve recanalization. relationship between the different clot components and outcome indicators (NIHSS score and mRS score). TARGET POPULATION Patients with ischemic stroke with occlusion of large intracranial vessels will be included in the study if deemed suitable for mechanical thrombectomy therapy in accordance with national and international guidelines. INCLUSION CRITERIA age > 18 years; Patients diagnosed with large vessel occlusion stroke in the emergency room CT Angio-study, undergoing mechanical thrombectomy procedure. Recovered thrombus available for analysis EXCLUSION CRITERIA ● Lack of written informed consent. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clot will be portioned. Part of the sample will be fixed in a 10% formalin solution (3.7% formaldehyde), part will be frozen in liquid nitrogen. Within 24-48 hours of fixation, formalin-fixed thrombi will be dehydrated by increasing the concentration of ethanol (70%, -80%, -95%, 100%) and paraffin-embedded allowing good preservation of tissue morphology and easy long-term storage. The included samples will be sectioned along the major axis of the thrombus, in slices with a thickness between 4 and 5 µm. Base staining will be used to visualize RBC, PLT and fibrin. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) will allow visualization of general thrombus structures and identification of aggregates of fibrin/platelets (colored pink), red blood cells (red), and nucleated cells (dark blue). Martius Scarlet Blue (MSB), selectively stains fibrin (dark pink/red), red blood cells (yellow) and collagen (blue Mallory-Azan for collagen and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin for fibrin. immunohistochemistry to detect the presence of Platelets (CD42-Gp-Ib+, CD41a-Gp-IIb/IIIa+, CD61-GpIIIa), white blood cells (CD45+, common leukocyte antigen), or monocytes/macrophages (CD14+, CD1a+, CD68+), T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD8/CD4+), or natural killers (CD16+, CD56+), or mobile premature endothelial cells and blood progenitors (CD34+), or neutrophils (CD45+, CD16+), or fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease is the most common cause of ischemic stroke in Asia, also in China. Currently, despite vascular recanalization therapy, statins are one of the main drug choices for treating atherosclerotic plaque. High resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) can accurately assess the status of intracranial and extracranial arterial plaque, and has high consistency with histopathology. Thus, HRMRI technology has been widely used to monitor the efficacy of drug treatment for atherosclerotic plaque in clinical trials or practice. As a non-invasive technique, HRMRI make it possible to assess the morphologic characteristics of vascular wall and plaque composition of intracranial artery in vivo. It can quantitative analysis including components such as lipid-rich necrotic core, fiber cap thickness, intra-plaque hemorrhage, calcification, etc. Therefore, it is crucial for evaluating the etiology of ischemic stroke and developing secondary prevention strategies. At present, there is a lack of large-scale and prospective study to evaluate the etiology of ischemic stroke including cryptogenic stroke based on HRMRI. In this context, this study aims to establish a multi center HRMRI database of intracranial arteries among Chinese patients with ischemic stroke.

The present study aims at verifying the mutual effects between intracranial large artery atherosclerosis and cerebral small vessel disease on disease progression and prognosis by magnetic resonance imaging, and providing biomarkers for the early prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease.

Assess cardiovascular affection and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus using the non invasive flow mediated dilation. evaluate the role of uric acid as independent marker of cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus patient

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) carries a significant global health burden, and can limit functional capacity and quality of life. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for PAD is often associated with suboptimal outcomes due to complications following balloon inflation related to vessel trauma and flow limiting dissections that may require bailout stenting. Different strategies and techniques to enhance both acute and longer-term outcomes with drug-coated balloons (DCB) are needed. This is a national, prospective, multi-center, non-randomized, real-world study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of multiple vessel preparation strategies combined with drug-coating balloon (DCB) in Femoropopliteal Artery (F-PA) lesions.

Background: - Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide information about heart and blood vessels. The tests let doctors can see the amount of blood vessel narrowing and vessel wall thickness. This information may help diagnose and treat heart disease and other conditions that lead to heart attacks. Better MRI methods are needed to improve heart disease diagnosis, especially by avoiding the use of radiation. Researchers are testing new techniques to improve the quality of heart MRI, compared with more complex studies like catheterization or angiography. Objectives: - To compare heart MRI techniques with other tests used to diagnose heart disease. Eligibility: - People at least 18 years of age who either have or may have heart disease, or are healthy volunteers. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood tests. They will have an angiography to study the inside of blood vessels. This test is an x-ray study of the blood vessels. It will be done either separately or as part of a set of tests to diagnose possible heart disease. Participants will have at least one and up to five MRI scans. The scans will involve different methods of studying the heart and blood vessels. Participants may also have a computed tomography scan to confirm the findings of an MRI scan. No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.

The goal of this double-blind randomized controlled trial is to determine if combination therapy of statin and low-dose colchicine - compared with statin alone - favorably modulates progression and composition of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in individuals with high polygenic risk for coronary artery disease.