Active clinical trials for "Coronary Artery Disease"

This study examines the flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery before and after cardiac surgery. FMD is measured with ultrasound technique. Increased flow is achieved trough obstructing blood flow with a cuff around the forearm for five minutes. FMD is measured before surgery and on the first morning after the operation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether new novel markers from the clinical electrocardiogram (EKG), which have been used as non-invasive measures of heart disease, can detect coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain. The researchers are especially interested in studying how changes in these unique waves evolve over time with rest and activity. It is hoped that the findings will be helpful in differentiating patients with cardiac chest pain at emergency departments from those with non-cardiac chest pain, as early identification can accelerate treatment and save lives. Eligible participants are those age 18 and older who have been referred for a nuclear stress test at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital to rule out coronary artery disease as part of their clinical care.

Narrowing of coronary arteries interferes with blood flow and can cause chest pain. But patients may have more than one narrowing and studies have shown that not all narrowings need to be treated. To identify the narrowings that need treating cardiologists sometimes quantify the extent of the narrowing by measuring fractional flow reserve (FFR, the ratio of the pressure in the aorta to the pressure downstream of the narrowing).This technique requires the administration of drugs that add cost and time to the procedure and in some countries are simply unavailable. As a result despite the clear health and healthcare costs benefits of FFR its use is limited to less than 5% of procedure. We have developed a new technique called the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) that does not require the administration of drugs for its accurate assessment. It has been approved for use in this indication. This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of patients whose treatment has been guided by iFR to those whose treatment has been guided by FFR. If iFR is found to provide the same clinical outcomes as FFR its adoption will permit the clear benefits of this approach of identifying the coronary narrowings that really need treatment to be applicable to a much larger patient population and further improve healthcare costs.

This is an observational study of lone Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting procedures with endoscopic vein graft harvesting using best harvesting practices.

Some myocardial infarctions (MI) occur as the first manifestation of coronary artery disease. These are termed 'unheralded' events as they have not been preceded by other forms of coronary artery disease. Unheralded MIs are important because of the high likelihood of missed opportunities for prevention. The proportion of MIs that are 'unheralded' is unknown. This study aims to quantify the proportion of MIs that occur 'unheralded' and also give an estimate of the incidence of 'unheralded' MI in the UK, compared to 'heralded' MI and those with angina of recent onset (MIs with premonitory symptoms).

The aim of this study is to prospectively investigate if intermittent Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition for 15 weeks improves myocardial perfusion by angiogenesis in patients with therapy refractory myocardial ischemia due to coronary artery disease judged to be unsuitable for surgical or percutaneous revascularisation. For proof of efficacy the following tests will be performed at baseline and one day and 4 weeks after discontinuation of therapy: Exercise tolerance will be evaluated by bicycle exercise testing. Blood tests will be performed to evaluate markers of angiogenesis (endothelial progenitor cells, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor). The improvement of myocardial perfusion will be tested functionally as increase of coronary flow reserve by positron emission tomography. Moreover, changes in ventricular function, symptoms and quality of life will be assessed.

Diagnostic purposes of the coronary angiography is to detect stenosis (anatomy) and to detect ischemia related stenosis (function). Coronary angiography (CAG) is a gold standard invasive techniques, but has several limitations. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides tomographic intra-luminal images. Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is helpful to assess precise anatomical information. Optimal functional criteria and their accuracy of IVUS and CCTA by fraction flow reserve (FFR) have not been compared yet.

To compile acute procedural performance and clinical outcomes data for the Promus PREMIER everolimus-eluting coronary stent system in understudied/underserved patient populations including women and minorities.

Demonstrate the ability of muti-detector computed tomography to adequately perform stress testing will result in a veritable "one-stop shop" of non-invasive cardiac imaging that is, the ability to directly visualize heart arteries with high accuracy and to simultaniously determine the hemodynamic significance of any blockages visualized.

The primary aim of the proposed research is to examine the relationship of lifestyle changes to new dietary, biomedical, and cellular parameters among new enrollees entering the "Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease program" at 5 selected sites. Specifically, the investigators will add assessments of emerging cardiac risk factors (e.g., high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], fibrinogen, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], small, dense LDL, apolipoprotein B [apoB], apolipoprotein A-I [apo A1], the apoB/apoA1 ratio, homocysteine [Hcy], B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP], oxidized LDL, fasting insulin and waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]), protective and pathogenic dietary markers (e.g., folate, carotenoids, trans fatty acids), and measures of social support and cognitive functioning to the already existing assessment variables in the Multisite Cardiac Lifestyle Intervention Program (MCLIP). Hypothesis 1: Participation in the lifestyle program will not only be associated with favorable changes in standard coronary risk factors and quality of life, but also with improvements in emerging cardiac risk factors [hsCRP, Hcy, BNP, fibrinogen, Lp(a), small, dense LDL, apoB, apoA1, oxidized LDL, fasting insulin, and abdominal obesity] and psychosocial well-being (i.e., social support, and cognitive functioning). Hypothesis 2: High intake of emerging protective dietary factors and low intake of emerging pathogenic dietary factors will be associated with improvements in both standard and emerging cardiac risk factors (e.g. Hcy, oxidized LDL). Hypothesis 3: Degree of adherence to the lifestyle change program will be associated with differential improvement in standard coronary risk factors, emerging risk factors, cellular aging, and psychosocial variables.