Active clinical trials for "Heart Diseases"

Since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy life expectancy of HIV-infected persons is rising. Different cohorts are observing an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in this aging HIV-infected population. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors like smoking are more frequent in HIV-infected persons. For example chronic inflammation due to HIV-infection and metabolic disorders also caused by some antiretroviral substances as special non-traditional risk factors in HIV-infected persons can influence the development of cardiovascular diseases additionally. Therefore new research focus in special risk profile associated with HIV-infection or antiretroviral treatment and prevention for HIV-infected patients is developing. This present study is an ongoing prospective regional multicenter trial that was conducted to analyse the incidence, prevalence and clinical course of cardiovacular disorders in HIV-infected out-patients. Cardiac disorders witch are associated with HIV are pericarditis, pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, myocarditis, bacterial endocarditis and heart valve disorders. In addition to previously stated disorders of the heart, the premature atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, a further even more important disease of the heart in this patient population, went into the focus of most HIV-researchers and physicians.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication after cardiac surgery and has been reported to be associated with adverse outcome. Previous studies have reported that the incidence of AKI in patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease is as high as 42% and AKI increase the patient mortality, intensive care unit stay and hospital stay. Previous studies have reported several risk factors for AKI after congenital heart surgery, however, perioperative variables including anesthesia-related factors have not been evaluated fully. Therefore, the investigators attempt to find out independent risk factors regarding perioperative variables.

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).

Heart transplantation is the ultimate therapeutic option in patients with end-stage heart failure. Since advances in the treatment of acute rejection has increased early transplant survival, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the main factor limiting long-term survival. The prevalence of angiographically proven CAV is high, documented in 40-50% of transplant recipients 5 years after transplantation. Therefore, annual coronary angiography remains widely used to monitor transplanted patients, although pathologic studies and intravascular ultrasonography have demonstrated that coronary angiography underestimates the severity of CAV. Perfusion SPECT may underestimate allograft vasculopathy in case of diffuse coronary lesions. In this setting, the assessment of coronary reserve by means of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) have not been investigated.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of implementing a universal pulse oximeter screening as a way to detect critical congenital heart disease in otherwise well-appearing newborns.

The prevalence of chronic kidney injury (CKD) following cardiac surgery during childhood is not known, but there is evidence of CKD in young adults. In the present study assumption is made that CKD can already by diagnosed in patients at or just before adolescence, and the aim is calculate its prevalence according to the KDIGO criteria by a cross-sectional study, which will enroll patients aged 10 to 15 years. The second hypothesis is that events occurring peri-operatively during initial surgery or during follow-up could by chart review and regression analysis.

The purpose of this study is to study whether percutaneous chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization, by the use of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), stenting, guidewire, and catheter, improves a patient's quality of life and their left ventricular function, reduces angina severity, and improves long-term survival.

The goal of this study is to gather input from patients who have undergone PCI, their family and/or caregivers, and clinicians to develop a patient decision aid. The purpose of the decision aid is to deliver information, including individualized estimates of patients' restenosis risk, in an understandable format that would be informative and assist in decision-making for patients undergoing PCI.

The purpose of this study is to assess coagulation and platelet function in children with congenital heart disease, measured with a bedside device (thromboelastometry and impedance aggregometry). The investigators also aim to determine if this device detect post-cardiopulmonary bypass clotting derangements and may help to manage bleeding in this population.

Cross-sectional study of a national cohort of adolescents with univentricular congenital heart defects and Fontan type palliation.