Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

The CRONOS-ADM (Coronary CT angiography evaluation for clinical outcomes in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus) registry is a large, prospective observational registry of demographic, clinical and laboratory data with long-term clinical outcome of asymptomatic diabetic patients without history of CAD or angina or angina-equivalent symptoms at two affiliated hospitals of The Catholic University of Korea.

To define the role of nutritional and dietary variables in determining atherogenic traits and morbidity and mortality due to coronary heart disease as observed in the Framingham Heart Study cohort and the Framingham Offspring Study cohort.

To determine whether postprandial lipoproteins were associated with atherosclerosis, and if so, whether the association was statistically independent of that between fasting lipoproteins and atherosclerosis.

To assess the extent to which consumption of different sources of hydrogenated fat relative to unhydrogenated oil or butter alters plasma lipoprotein concentrations and measures of lipid metabolism.

To investigate the role of chronic infection as a risk factor for vascular disease in a study of Native Americans. The primary focus is on the two most common agents Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus with a secondary emphasis on Helicobacter pylori.

To determine the contribution of polymorphic variation in candidate genes involved in lipid metabolism in determining quantitative lipoprotein-lipid levels and cardiovascular risk factors in Anglo and Hispanic populations of the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. The candidate genes included those for A-IV, B, D, E, H, APO(a), LDL receptor, hepatic lipase, lipoprotein lipase, lethicin cholesterol acyletransferase (LCAT), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

To map the major gene influencing low-density lipoprotein subclass phenotypes, denoted atherogenic lipoprotein (ALP) phenotypes, with a long term goal of cloning the ALP gene and understanding its role in genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a serious health concern that affects millions of people in the United States. It is usually caused by atherosclerosis-a condition that occurs when fatty material and plaque build up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, causing the arteries to narrow. As the arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attack, or heart failure. Another component of CHD events involves inflammatory changes that result in structural breakdown of atherosclerotic plaques. Adding niacin to statin medications may be an effective way to block inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaques. This study will examine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images and blood samples of participants in the AIM-HIGH study who are taking niacin plus statins or statins alone to determine the effect of these medications on inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important health concern for African Americans, who are diagnosed with CAD at high rates. Coronary artery calcification, which is characterized by calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, is a contributing factor to CAD. This study will examine the possible genetic causes of coronary artery calcification in African Americans.

This study will test the effects of insulin resistance on atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in women who have systemic lupus erythematosus, more commonly known as lupus. Women with lupus have a higher chance of developing atherosclerosis than the general population, and as a result are more susceptible to heart attack and stroke. Insulin resistance is a particular risk factor for atherosclerosis, and recent small studies have shown that insulin resistance is more common in lupus patients than in those without lupus. The study will consist of a series of tests designed to assess whether there is an association between insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in women with lupus. This research may lead to further studies on possible treatments to reduce the risk of heart disease in lupus patients. Volunteers must be women between 30 and 55 years of age who were diagnosed with lupus within five or more years prior to the study. Volunteers who have kidney failure, diabetes, or existing atherosclerosis will be excluded from the study, as will volunteers who have had pulse steroid therapy within four weeks of the testing or who have been pregnant within one year of the testing. Participants will undergo the following procedures on an outpatient basis: Blood and urine tests for research purposes. Electrocardiogram (EKG) to test the general health of the heart. Oral glucose tolerance test to measure blood glucose and insulin levels. This test is commonly used to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetic insulin resistance. Cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to determine the amount of calcium present in coronary arteries. This test is used to diagnose atherosclerosis. Carotid artery ultrasound to show the speed of blood flow through the carotid arteries. This test will show abnormalities and/or blockages in the carotid arteries. Abdominal ultrasound to determine if the participant has hepatic steatosis ( fatty liver ), which is often found in individuals with insulin resistance and diabetes. Carotid artery magnetic resonance imaging/angiogram (MRI/MRA) to measure the thickness of blood vessels. This test is used to diagnose atherosclerosis. Abdominal MRI to estimate abdominal fat. Volunteers may be asked to participate in an MRI/MRA study to evaluate the arteries of the heart. This test is optional and not required by the insulin resistance/atherosclerosis study. The entire series of procedures will require one to three visits to complete.