Active clinical trials for "Fibrosis"

This study is being conducted to develop new techniques for early diagnosis of liver disease. These techniques are: Shearwave Elastography (SWE) ultrasound and blood biomarkers. SWE ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to view soft tissues such as muscles and internal organs and measure stiffness. An ultrasound creates computer images that show internal body organs, such as the liver or kidneys, more clearly than regular x-ray images. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in the blood that provide important information about liver disease.

To use the sputum colour chart as a predictor for cystic fibrosis exaerbations

Accurate identification of lower respiratory tract pathogens is standard of care in the management of CF patients and it is therefore recommended to perform regular bacterial cultures, at least once a year, but some even recommend monthly cultures. This can be done through different methods, of which sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are the gold standard. However, BAL is an invasive method, not designated to repeat monthly. Therefore, the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections can be challenging in the non-expectorating CF patient. Other methods, such as induced sputum (IS), cough swabs and nasal swabs, have been developed to obtain bacterial cultures in these patients. Studies have investigated the reliability of these different sampling methods, however, with controversial conclusions.

Background: - Hepatitis C infection (HCV) is a leading cause of liver disease. Normal bacteria from the intestines may spread to the liver and blood during liver disease. This is called bacterial translocation (BT). Researchers think BT may cause liver disease to worsen. Objectives: - To study the mechanisms involved in BT in early and advanced liver disease. To find out whether BT causes liver disease to worsen. Eligibility: - People over age 18 with HCV and clinically stable liver disease. Design: Participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam. They will have blood tests and imaging studies. Participants will have 2 outpatient visits and a 3-day stay at the clinic. At visit 1, participants will have urine and blood tests. They will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A solution will be injected into a vein. The MRI scanner is a metal cylinder surrounded by a magnetic field. The participant will lie on a table that slides in and out of the cylinder. At visit 2, a substance will be injected into a vein and swallowed. Participants will then have blood drawn 5 times over 90 minutes. During the inpatient stay, serial blood tests will be drawn. Participants will give 2 stool samples and have another MRI. A needle will be inserted through the chest wall into a vein inside the liver, guided by ultrasound. The blood pressure inside this vein will be measured and blood will be drawn from it. About 1 inch of liver tissue will be removed. A study investigator will call participants to discuss all test results.

Azithromycin is an antibiotic currently prescribed continuously in cystic fibrosis patients. It was shown that this treatment taken every day or every week for 12 months, can improve the respiratory state of patients. From the second year of treatment, it would appear there is more profit to continue such treatment. The main objective is to study the association between continuous use of azithromycin and lung function measured by Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), after two years of treatment.

The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical feasibility of annual non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk group, in comparison with biannual ultrasonography.

PBC is a rare, autoimmune, cholestatic liver disease with genetic and environmental pathogenetic factors. Data about epidemiology of PBC in Switzerland are completely lacking. Epidemiology can be a powerful tool in yielding important clues as to burden and etiology of diseases. In addition, the investigators study will be the first one carried out in the country on PBC, and therefore will raise disease awareness and create a network.

The purpose of this study is to describe the HRQoL in those with MELD scores </= 15 in a single center for those who are pre-liver transplant candidates

Indocyangreen (ICG)is totally biliary eliminated and corresponds to hepatocyte function and liver perfusion. The ICG-clearance will be evaluated as a prognostic marker in liver disease.

Patients with cirrhosis have a altered cardiac response to stress. This study evaluate the cardiac response by MRI during dobutamine stress. Hypothesis: impared increase in cardiac output, cardiac index, ejection fraction.