Prognostic Indicators as Provided by the EPIC ClearView
Coronary Artery DiseaseCongestive Heart Failure26 moreThe objective of this study is to determine whether the finger tip images captured by the EPIC ClearView device, when analyzed via the ClearView software, produce a Response Scale that characterizes trends consistent with known diagnoses identified by medical doctors. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that the organ system involving any of a series of known active diagnoses will be identified in the EPIC ClearView Response Scale report with the intention of providing potential triage capabilities.
Does Coronary Angiography Cause Cognitive Dysfunction?
Coronary Heart DiseaseHeart Valve DiseasesThe purpose of the study is to study if coronary angiography cause cognitive dysfunction.
Aspirin Responsiveness in Women With Coronary Artery Disease
CADThe purpose of this study is to measure the percentage of women with known Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) who are hyporesponsive to low dose (81 mg) aspirin.
Identification of Carotid Vasa Vasorum and Correlation With Acute Coronary Events
Coronary Artery DiseaseAdventitial vasa vasorum (VV) as well as intraplaque microvessels are known to be associated with atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been validated as a technique to measure the density of VV. Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between identification of VV and relationship to vascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. No previous study has reported the utilization of contrast-enhanced ultrasound identification of VV in the carotid bed as a means of identifying patients at high risk for acute coronary events. Aims: In this study, the investigators will aim to identify VV and intraplaque microvessels along with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), a known marker for acute coronary events. The investigators will attempt to measure the correlation of VV with acute coronary events independent of traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CIMT. Methods: 90 volunteers (30 low risk patients, 30 patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD), and 30 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS)) will be enrolled. All patients will undergo contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of their carotid arteries and measurement of CIMT while obtaining baseline histories and assessment of traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. VV density and CIMT will be measured in all patients. Statistical differences in VV among the three groups will be assessed and analyses will be made to attempt to identify if VV in the carotid bed is an independent predictor of acute coronary events after controlling for CIMT and traditional risk factors. Study population: The study population will reflect the patient population of UPMC. No individual will be excluded on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Utilities in the Evaluation of Ischemic Heart Disease
Myocardial IschemiaThe purpose of this study is to evaluate CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE UTILITIES IN THE ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE as topographical correlation between ischemic territory injury and coronary angiography.
Saphenous Vein Allografts for Coronary Bypass
Coronary Artery DiseaseOcclusion of ArteryThe primary objective of this observational study is to evaluate the function (patency) of cryopreserved saphenous vein allografts used as coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) for patients with occlusive coronary artery disease.
Follow-up of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patency by Multislice Computed Tomography
Coronary Artery DiseaseCoronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality across the world and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the most common surgical procedure for treatment. Patients with recurrent ischemic symptoms after CABG are most likely to have occluded or significantly stenosis in grafts or native coronary arteries. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the patency of these vessel conduits after CABG. Until now, selective coronary angiography is the traditional gold standard for the assessment of both native coronary arteries and bypass grafts. But it is an invasive procedure that requires x-ray exposure, hospitalization, and includes a risk for complication. However, there is an alternative noninvasive method, multislice computed tomography (MSCT), with high specificity and excellent sensitivity for the detection of the coronary artery disease. It is even cheaper and takes shorter time to perform. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to use MSCT to evaluate the patency and the quality of all grafts and native coronary arteries after CABG for more than two years. In addition, we will elucidate the relationship of these data and CABG procedures to review our experience.
Assessment of Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy With Drug Eluting Stents
Coronary Artery DiseaseProspective, multicenter, registry of at least 11,000 (and up to 15,000) consecutive patients with coronary artery disease undergoing stent-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using DES without major procedural complications.
Associations Between Depression and Cardiovascular Disease - a Study of Patients With Late Onset...
DepressionMajor Depressive Disorder2 moreStudies show that depression is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore there is an increased occurrence of depression in patients with CAD. Among other mechanisms atherosclerosis is believed to play a central role regarding these notable associations between depression and CAD. Moreover, patients with late onset major depression have an increased number of small lesions found in the white matter of the brain, the so-called white matter lesions. The main goal of this project is to examine if CAD is associated with depression and/or white matter lesions. CAD is evaluated using coronary CT angiography. Depression is evaluated using a semi-structured diagnostic interview. White matter lesions are quantified using cerebral magnetic resonance.
Same Day Discharge After Coronary Stenting Trial
Coronary Artery DiseaseIn comparison to delayed hospital discharge, a strategy of early hospital discharge of patients who undergo single and multivessel stenting for type A, B, and C lesion(s) using thienopyridine and a hemostatic femoral closure device, is associated with similar clinical outcomes, but greater patient satisfaction and similar cost.