Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

Objective: To evaluate the impact of heated versus combustion tobacco products on progression of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD unable(unwilling) to quit smoking. Rationale: Despite the efforts to curb smoking and full awareness of its deleterious health impact, smoking remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Some health impact of smoking may be improved by other forms of cigarettes than traditional combustion, especially for subjects unwilling or unable to stop smoking. As recently as 2020, one of heated tobacco products (HTP)(IQOS) was FDA Authorized as a 'Reduced Exposure' product. The available evidence to date allows to conclude that the IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it, which significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduced body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. There is also evidence indicating lower levels of inflammatory markers and improved vascular function associated with use of heated tobacco products. However, it is unknown whether the reduction in the exposure translates into potential reduction of harm within cardiovascular system, as compared to the traditional (combustion) cigarettes. The evidence is of crucial importance for patients with cardiovascular diseases, medical community, and national health authorities planning evidence based policies regarding HTP/cigarettes.

The goal of this observational study is to identify new molecular and imaging markers associated with the presence of atherosclerosis and its progression in psoriasis. The main questions it aims to answer are: To assess the prevalence, vascular distribution and burden of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular (CV) risk algorithms using 2D vascular ultrasound (2DVUS) of carotid and femoral arteries, 3D vascular ultrasound (3DVUS) of carotid and femoral arteries and Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA). To characterize the composition of atherosclerotic plaques by CCTA and 3DVUS of the carotid and femoral arteries. To evaluate the effect of different treatments used in psoriasis on the progression and characterisation of subclinical atherosclerosis in different arterial territories assessed by non-invasive imaging techniques. To characterise the atherosclerosis process in patients with psoriasis using laboratory analysis and "-omics" technologies, as well as to evaluate changes at the molecular level after treatment of the skin disease. Participants will undergo 2 study visits: At baseline, before starting biologic treatment for psoriasis. A 1-year follow up, after having completed one year under biologic treatment for psoriasis. Both visits include a clinical interview, physical examination, fasting blood draw and assessment of atherosclerotic disease by non-invasive vascular imaging tests (2D/3DVUS and CCTA). Participants may undergo an unscheduled clinical visit if the patient suffers a worsening of the psoriasis. This visit includes a clinical interview, physical examination and fasting blood draw.

EVOLVE 4.5/5.0 is a prospective, single-arm, multi-center observational (standard of care) trial intended to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the SYNERGY 4.50 mm and 5.00 mm Coronary Stent System for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease in large vessels (≤ 28 mm in length, by visual estimate, in native coronary arteries > 4.00 mm to ≤5.00 mm in diameter, by visual estimate). This Post Approval study is a cohort associated with the SYNERGY MEGATRON Post Approval Study, which is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04807439.

CHORAL Flow is a randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of evolocumab on coronary flow at 12 weeks.

This is an observational study examining the progression of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in healthy participants who have an elevated LDL-C (above 190mg/dl) secondary to diet not associated with genetic familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This study participants are classified to be Lean-Mass-Hyper-Responder (LMHR).

This is a multi-center, randomized quality improvement project. At least 200 statin-naïve patients without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with incidental coronary artery calcium (CAC) on a prior non-gated chest CT will be enrolled across the Stanford Healthcare System and the Palo Alto Veteran's Affairs Healthcare System. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to notification or usual care arms. The primary aim of this project is to estimate the increase in 6-month statin prescription among statin-naïve patients without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with incidental CAC on a non-gated chest CT who are randomized to receive notification of their findings vs. usual care.

Modern vascular surgery has various options for open and endovascular surgical methods aimed at treating patients with peripheral arterial diseases. Despite the achievements of vascular surgery, the occurrence of postoperative complications levels out the success of surgical interventions and requires repeated surgical interventions. The most common complication is stenosis of the reconstruction zone, which develops in approximately 50% of operated patients. At present, the apoptosis system plays an equally important role in the development of restenosis of the intervention zone. It has been recognized as a central component in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in which the Bcl-2 family of proteins is activated. It is a group of cellular proteins that are important regulators of the apoptosis system in cells located in the mitochondrial membrane. In experimental animal models, it was shown that apoptosis after angioplasty of the coronary arteries proceeds in the form of two waves. After injury to the vascular wall, during the first hours, it is activated in the smooth muscle cells (SMC) of media, and after two weeks in the cells of the neointima, by the 28th day it almost completely stops. A decrease in the apoptosis index in the postoperative period may cause the development of restenosis of the reconstruction zone. The use of antioxidants, for example, alpha-tocopherol acetate, in the first month of the postoperative period, at the time of activation of apoptosis, inhibits the latter and reduces the proliferative activity of the SMC media and neointima. One month after surgery, delayed apoptosis of vascular wall cells can lead to the development of neointima and restenosis. In this case, the use of drugs that enhance apoptosis, for example, lipophilic statins, calcium channel blockers, will be relevant. Nitric oxide metabolites, depending on the concentration, can act as both an inducer and an inhibitor of apoptosis. The mechanism of NO-induced apoptosis in SMC includes an increase in the Bax / Bcl-2 expression ratio, which leads to the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, activation of caspase-3 and -9. In patients with atherosclerosis of the peripheral arteries, proteins of the Bcl-2 family and their relationship with markers of endothelial dysfunction have not been sufficiently studied, the results obtained are contradictory.

The purpose of this study will be to understand the underlying mechanism by which PCSK9 inhibition reduces the rate of ischemic stroke seen in the pivotal studies that led to its FDA approval for ASCVD such as ischemic stroke. Those trials (FOURIER and ODYSSEY) enrolled almost 50,000 patients and showed that PCSK9 inhibition therapy is safe and effective. The investigators hypothesize that PCSK9 inhibition lowers the rate of stroke by reducing atherosclerotic plaque, which would be particularly beneficial for patients with intracranial atherosclerosis, who have the highest rate of recurrent stroke of any stroke mechanism.

(RENEWAL-EXERCISE trial) The investigators hypothesize that the increased sympathetic nervous system activation that is associated with resistant hypertension is a major contributor in the pathogenesis of exercise diastolic dysfunction and that modulation of the sympathetic nervous system activity with radiofrequency ablation of the renal artery sympathetic nerve fibers delivered via a treatment catheter, will have a significant effect on the diastolic function that is beyond BP-lowering effect. (RENEWAL-REGRESSION trial) The major cause of mortality and morbidity in hypertension is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. the significant decrease in the sympathetic nervous system activation after renal sympathetic denervation will contribute to regression over and beyond it's effect of blood pressure reduction. (RENEWAL-PREDICT trial) No data exists regarding the tests or methods predicting the successful renal denervation causing the effective reduction of BP. For these, the investigators sought to perform the new tests such as adenosine infusion test during procedure and skin sympathetic activity measurement before and immediate post-procedure (detailed explanation provided in section of Methods) and then evaluate the association between these tests and reduction of BP following procedures.

Background: - Cardiometabolic diseases are medical disorders that can occur together and affect the heart. They increase the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. One disorder, psoriasis, is an inflammation that mostly affects the skin but can affect the entire body. Another disorder, atherosclerosis, is a process in which cholesterol is gradually deposited on the wall of arteries. This causes arteries to harden and become less flexible. Many cells that cause psoriasis also cause atherosclerosis. Researchers want to look at the relationship between cardiometabolic diseases and psoriasis. Objectives: - To study the relationship between psoriasis and cardiometabolic diseases. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have psoriasis. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Participants will have up to seven outpatient visits over the 4 years. The first visit will be a screening visit. Visits 2 will be12 months after visit 1. Visits 3, 4, and 5, will be scheduled yearly for the next 3 years. If participants have a psoriasis flare with more severe symptoms, they may have an extra visit. Those who leave the study early will have a final visit with the full series of tests. At visits 1, 2,and 5, and any flare visits, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will provide blood and urine samples, as well as optional tissue biopsies. They will also have heart function tests. Imaging studies, as well as optional photographs of affected areas, will be performed. These tests will also be performed at the final visit. At visits 3 and 4, participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also provide blood and urine samples, and have heart function tests.