Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

To determine associations between dietary factors and risk of major chronic diseases and their risk factors

To prospectively collect and assess the perception of health-related Quality of Life, Pain and Walking Ability.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is the earliest marker of atherosclerosis and is measured by flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. The purpose of the study was to measure FMD in mild, stable SLE patients and look for change in FMD with the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

The aim of this study is to investigate wether intracoronary use of bolus Abciximab is superior to intravenous bolus in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The investigators hypothesize that patients with Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction may benefit from primary angioplasty with use of a drug eluting balloon/bare metal stent combination without impairing the process of normal vascular healing and endothelial function. The goals of this study are: To compare 6-month angiographic outcome after primary angioplasty using drug eluting balloon/bare metal stent combination versus drug eluting stent versus bare metal stent. To compare stent apposition and stent endothelialization after primary angioplasty using drug eluting balloon/bare metal stent versus drug eluting stent versus bare metal stent. To compare coronary endothelial function after primary angioplasty using drug eluting balloon/bare metal stent versus drug eluting stent versus bare metal stent.

Minimal invasive treatment (called "endovascular") of the arteries of the lower limb remains problematic, because recurrent disease ("restenosis") frequently leads to recurrent symptoms. As yet, balloon angioplasty remains the recommended strategy to revascularize the superficial femoral artery (artery of the thigh). We investigated whether the use of a vascular endoprosthesis ("stent") improves patients´ outcome. Study hypothesis: Primary stenting with self expanding nitinol stents may improve patency after endovascular treatment of superficial femoral artery obstructions compared to balloon angioplasty with optional stenting.

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) was initiated to study the correlates, predictors, and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) (disease detected non-invasively before it has produced clinical signs and symptoms) in a diverse population-based sample of men and women aged 45-84 who had no evidence of clinical CVD at baseline (www.mesa-nhlbi.org). During 2000-2002, 6,814 participants were recruited from six field centers (Forsyth County, NC; Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, NY; Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MD; St. Paul, MN; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles County, CA). The ethnic composition of the recruited cohort was 38% Caucasian, 28% African American, 22% Hispanic, and 12% Chinese. An extensive baseline exam focused on critical CVD risk factors and subclinical disease measures. Five subsequent exams took place through 2018 to assess changes in these measures and to explore new innovative research questions. Cohort members are contacted annually to obtain information about intervening hospitalizations and outpatient cardiovascular-related procedures. Relevant medical records are abstracted and reviewed and clinical endpoints of interest are adjudicated. The study is comprised of one Coordinating Center, six Field Centers and one biospecimen repository.

This study will evaluate ways to improve magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for diagnosing atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries). MRA is a new method for looking at arteries and veins without standard angiography, which requires inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, injecting a contrast material, and obtaining X-ray images. Current MRA techniques, however, do not depict the lumen (cavity) of small vessels well enough to accurately determine the extent of their narrowing. This study will test image processing methods with the eventual goal of improving MRA accuracy to the point that it can replace X-ray catheter angiography for diagnosing atherosclerotic disease. Patients with atherosclerosis who have had conventional angiography at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD, may be considered for this study. They will be screened with a brief history and physical examination, and those enrolled will have a MRA scan within 72 hours of their conventional angiogram. For this procedure, a catheter is placed in a vein in the patient's arm and the patient lies on a table that slides into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner-a large donut-shaped machine with a magnetic field. Surface coils-flexible, padded antennae used to improve the quality of the pictures-are wrapped around the patient's legs. At times during the scan, the patient is asked to hold his or her breath for several seconds, and a contrast material called gadolinium is injected through the catheter in the vein. This substance enhances the images of blood flow in the vessels. The procedure generally takes about an hour and a half, although the actual imaging takes only a small part of that time.

The purpose of this clinical study is to compare how well two different devices for achieving hemostasis perform in patients undergoing transradial procedures. Both devices are approved by the FDA for this use, and have already been used by clinicians on patients undergoing transradial procedures. It is believed that the use of both devices in combination compared to the hemostasis band (TR band) alone will shorten the time that it takes to 'seal' the artery, resulting in a shorter period of time that you would need to wear the hemostasis band.

Women with a history of preeclampsia (PE) have increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. Thus, PE is acknowledged as an independent risk factor for CVD, which is the number one cause of death in women in the western part of the world. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate 1) the prevalence of CVD after PE, 2) which women have the highest risk of developing CVD, 3) when early stages of CVD can be detected in women with previous PE and 4) how CVD progress over time. Methods: 1000 women with previous PE between the age of 35-55 years will be invited to participate in a follow-up study consisting of anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, urine- and blood samples, cardiac CT-scan and questionnaires. Coronary atherosclerosis will be evaluated using CT imaging.The women will be compared with women with a formerly uncomplicated pregnancy, Summary: The study will provide new important information to guide future clinical follow-up, and potentially prevent disease and early death in a large group of women with a history of PE.