Active clinical trials for "Cardiomyopathies"

This study is being done to determine whether or not new blood test(s) can determine the severity of heart conditions. Aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, artificial heart valve regurgitation or stenosis, and tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with pacemaker leads are the cardiac disorders under study. The blood tests involve analysis for von Willebrand Factor antigen and activity, von Willebrand Factor multimers, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. The results of the blood tests will be compared to the information from the clinically-indicated echocardiogram and one blood test compared to another.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown cause characterized by the formation of non-caseating granulomas in involved organs. Its cardiac involvement may be potentially fatal. Although endomyocardial biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, it is invasive and lacks sensitivity. The specific diagnostic tool for cardiac sarcoidosis is far from satisfactory. Recent studies have revealed that FDG-PET with under fasting conditions is a useful method for identification of cardiac sarcoidosis patients. However, to our knowledge, no investigations have been published with regard to FDG quantification for the diagnosis and management of cardiac sarcoidosis by PET.

The purpose of this research study is to see if a lottery which provides the opportunity to win money, a reminder system using a "Med-eMonitor", or the combination of both might be useful in helping patients to achieve better control of their anticoagulation therapy. Selection for the arms of the study is randomized by the study computer. Some will participate in the daily lottery only, some with the reminder system only, some with the reminder system and the daily lottery, and some with neither the lottery nor the reminder system.

The purpose of this study is to identify patients with cardiac sarcoidosis who may be at risk for sudden death.

To determine the familial occurrence and pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

DDD pacing improves symptoms and relieves LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in most patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Notably, when pacing is temporarily discontinued, the beneficial effects of pacing are evident in sinus rhythm. The long term results of this novel therapy are, however, uncertain. We propose (1) to record the hemodynamic changes following >4 years of pacing; and (2) to determine whether DDD pacing continues to be necessary in patients who have had a substantial relief of their LVOT obstruction. Patients who have had >50% reduction in LVOT pressure gradients will be randomized to two pacing modalities: DDD at 70 beats per minute and AAI pacing at 70 beats per minute (DDD switched off), and reevaluated after a six-month period.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the chronic non-communicable diseases which have emerged as a leading global health problem. According to the International Diabetes Federation Atlas guideline report, currently, there are 352 million adults with impaired glucose tolerance who are at high risk of developing diabetes in the future. In 2017, it was estimated that 425 million people (20-79 years of age) suffered from Diabetes mellitus, and the number is expected to rise to 629 million by 2045. Moreover, Egypt is considered one of the top 10 countries in the world

This study will evaluate the association between right ventricular pacing and the risk of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy.

The number of people with diabetes is rising. One of the major causes of premature death in diabetes is heart failure (HF). This is when the heart cannot pump blood effectively, and this may be related to abnormalities in energy production in the heart muscle. In healthy people, the heart muscle cells show flexibility and can use both sugar and fat molecules for energy production. Although burning fat provides more energy, this process requires more oxygen than burning sugars. As a result, fat is a less efficient fuel for the heart compared to sugars, especially in situations where the energy and oxygen needs are higher, such as during exercise. The investigators propose that the heart muscle in patients with type 2 diabetes relies heavily on fat for energy provision, and fails to burn more sugar molecules for energy provision during exercise to more efficiently use oxygen. Fat and sugar uptake by the heart can be detected by the difference between the blood sugar and fat levels delivered to the heart and returning from the heart, both at rest and also when the heart is working faster during Dobutamine infusion. Dobutamine is a drug frequently used to mimic exercise, and get the heart running faster during medical tests. To test the hypothesis, the investigators will assess fat and sugar uptake by the heart at rest and when the heart is running faster, in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing investigations to rule out coronary disease. Heart function, and blood supply to heart muscle, at rest and during Dobutamine infusion, will also be measured using MRI scanning. The same tests will be performed in people without diabetes for comparison. It will help understand diabetic heart disease and which aspects may be targeted with new treatments.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has been established as a promising three dimensional imaging modality with the ability to assess cardiac morphology, ventricular function, perfusion, viability and imaging characteristics of the surrounding vasculature without ionizing radiation. The accurate treatment of patients with cardiac disorders has created the need for accurate and reproducible measurements of cardiac chamber volumes and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance has the ability to provide this information as well as assess edema, perfusion, viability and vascular anatomy.