Active clinical trials for "Cardiomyopathies"

Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy may continue to experience persistent chest pain and shortness of breath despite conventional medical therapy and/or revascularization. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of taking Ranexa versus placebo in patients with ischemic (due to blockages) cardiomyopathy treated with optimal conventional medical therapy and/or percutaneous revascularization.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of subcutaneous injection of Human BNP (nesiritide), a hormone produced by the heart, on the pumping ability of the heart, kidney function, and hormonal function in persons with heart failure.

The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the clinical effects, safety profile, and economic impact of standard therapy plus Natrecor® (nesiritide, a recombinant form of the natural human peptide normally secreted by the heart in response to heart failure) to standard therapy plus placebo in patients who present to the Emergency Department with worsening congestive heart failure (CHF) and are treated in the Emergency Department /Observation Unit.

This study will examine the effectiveness of the drug pirfenidone (Deskar) in improving heart function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Stiffening of the heart muscle in patients with HCM impairs the heart's ability to relax and thus fill and empty properly. This can lead to heart failure, breathlessness and excessive fatigue. The heart's inability to relax may be due to scarring, or fibrosis, in the muscle wall. This study will test whether pirfenidone can reduce fibrosis, improve heart relaxation and reduce abnormal heart rhythms. Men and women 20 to 75 years old with HCM may be eligible for this study. Participants will undergo a physical examination, blood tests, and other tests and procedures, described below, to assess heart function. When the tests are completed, patients will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group will take a pirfenidone capsule and the other will take a placebo (a look-alike pill with no active ingredient) twice a day with meals for 6 months. For the pirfenidone group, the dose of drug will be increased gradually from 400 to 800 milligrams. At the end of 6 months, all patients will repeat the physical examination and heart tests that were done before starting medication. These include: Electrocardiogram (ECG) - electrodes are attached to the heart to record the heart's electrical activity, providing information on the heartbeat. Echocardiogram - a probe held against the chest wall uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, providing information on the function of the heart chambers. 24-hour Holter monitor - a 24-hour recording of the electrical activity of the heart monitors for abnormal heartbeats or conduction abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Radiowaves and a strong magnetic field are used to produce images of the heart, providing information on the thickness and movement of the heart muscle. Radionuclide angiogram - a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein and a special camera is used to scan the heart, providing information on the beating motion of the heart. Scans are obtained at rest and after exercise. Cardiac (heart) catheterization - a catheter (thin plastic tube) is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and advanced to the heart to record pressures and take pictures inside the heart. Electrophysiology study - a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and advanced to the heart to record electrical activity, providing information on abnormal heart rhythms. This procedure is done at the time of the heart catheterization. Cardiac biopsy - a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and advanced to the heart to remove a small sample of heart muscle for microscopic examination. This procedure is done at the end of the heart catheterization.

The aim of this project is assess a non-invasive functional liver tests in patients with the Fontan circulation that may be used for prognostic purposes. Specifically, we aim to determine whether there are alterations in Methacetin Breath Test (MBT) in the Fontan patient and if so, whether it is related to conventional tests of liver and cardiac function. The hypothesis is that MBT CPDR 20 in the Fontan patient is abnormal as a result of alterations in liver perfusion, liver cell metabolic capability and transhepatic resistance secondary to hemodynamics unique to the Fontan as well as end-organ liver damage. Due to lack of robust biomarkers or other risk stratification schemes, we aim to determine whether there is prognostic value in hepatic MBT CPDR 20 in the Fontan patient. Aims - The aims of this study are three-fold: To measure MBT parameter in a cohort of patients with Congestive (Dilated) Cardiomyopathy and a group of Fontan patients and compare results to published normal controls. To explore any association between MBT parameter and clinical parameters already available, including Fontan hemodynamics as assessed by either of the following tests: cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, non-invasive imaging of the liver (CT or MRI), non-invasive assessment of liver stiffness (ARFI, MRE or Fibroscan), laboratory investigations, and clinical characteristics (i.e. age of patient, time since Fontan operation, type of Fontan etc.) within 12 months of the study. To determine whether MBT is predictive of clinical outcomes: heart failure, clinically significant ascites, and time to transplant or death.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of respiratory muscles training on cardiopulmonary parameters and quality of life in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). It was a randomized control trial conducted on the calculated sample size of 22 patients divided into 2 groups. Study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad. Clinically stable, diagnosed cases of DCM aged 30 to 60 years were included in the study. Outcomes of study were ejection fraction, Left ventricular (LV) End systolic dimensions, LV End diastolic dimension, lung volumes and capacities and quality of life. Data was analyzed on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. .

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the major causes of death in Western societies. Evidence has accumulated that functionally active autoantibodies directed against the beta1 adrenergic receptor (β1 AAb) are of pathophysiological relevance for the development and progression of cardiomyopathy and associated CHF. BC 007 is under development for targeted neutralisation of autoantibodies directed against G protein coupled receptors, including β1 AAb. This is an open label, three-centre, randomised phase 2a study in participants with chronic HFrEF. The study will evaluate whether BC 007 causes a persistent neutralisation of the β1 AAb demonstrated by a negative β1 AAb status up to 12 months. Participants will be randomised in a 2:1 ratio to the treatment arm (BC 007) or the control arm (untreated). Treatment is repeated once up to month 11 if the participant's β1 AAb were not neutralised after 1st dosing on day 1 or reoccur.

A phase 1 prospective study to determine the procedural feasibility and safety and preliminary efficacy of intracoronary infusion of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Honey, as a natural product produced by honey bees, has anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator properties. A few reports suggest that honey might have positive effects on cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This was a randomized controlled study, which was carried out on 50 children, aged 2 to 12 years, suffering from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups: the honey group and the control group. In the honey group, honey was provided in a dose of 1.2g/kg/day for three months in addition to the traditional treatment of IDC. The patients in the control group received only their standard treatment, without honey. The main outcome measure was the percent change in the ejection fraction (EF) and the fraction shortening (FS) shown in echocardiography.

To assess the safety and effectiveness of the SAPIEN XT transcatheter heart valve in patients with a failing surgical aortic bioprosthetic valve.