Active clinical trials for "Heart Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to improve adherence to blood pressure (BP) monitoring and medication compliance in individuals with high BP.

This trial compares the safety and effectiveness of catheter ablation for PAF with antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The investigational catheter being studied is the NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® irrigated-tip catheter. At the time of this study, the NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® catheter was FDA-approved for commercial distribution in the U.S. for treating patients with Type I atrial flutter and drug refractory monomorphic ventricular tachycardia post myocardial infarction. The catheter was approved for use in Europe for endocardial ablation for treating cardiac arrhythmias.

This study will determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) augmentation of sertraline on depression and cardiac endpoints after myocardial infarction (MI).

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of 40 mg of ezetimibe (Zetia ) daily in lowering blood levels of cholesterol and of the plant sterols sitosterol and campesterol in patients with homozygous sitosterolemia, an inherited disorder of sterol metabolism. (Sterols are alcohol substances found in animal and plant fats.) In this disorder, an excess of many plant sterols is absorbed and not enough excreted. Patients can develop atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease as early as childhood, as well as other problems including arthritis, arthralgia, and tendon xanthomas (lipid deposits). Current treatment consists of ezetimibe 10 mg, dietary restriction of plant and shellfish sterols, and bile salt binding resins. Ezetimibe is a cholesterol-lowering drug that inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol and structurally related plant sterols across the intestinal wall. Patients with homozygous sitosterolemia who are between 18 and 85 years of age have completed NHLBI's 1-year study of ezetimibe at 10 mg a day may be eligible for this study. All participants maintain their current stable diet and take a 10-mg pill of ezetimibe daily for 26 weeks. They are also randomly selected to take either an additional 30-mg pill of ezetimibe or a placebo (look-alike pill with no active ingredients). Patients fast for at least 12 hours before each of 6 visits scheduled during the course of the study. At these visits, patients undergo some or all of the following procedures for monitoring their health and evaluating their response to treatment: Medical history and review of medications Physical examination Measurement of vital signs (pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and temperature) Review of dietary maintenance Measurements of height, weight, and waist circumference Measurement (with ruler) and photographs of non-Achilles xanthoma X-ray of Achilles tendon Blood draw and urine collection Pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of aldosterone antagonist therapy in reducing cardiovascular mortality, aborted cardiac arrest, and heart failure hospitalization in patients who have heart failure with preserved systolic function.

This is an extension study for patients having unusually high absorption of non-cholesterol sterols, resulting in heart-related diseases. This study will evaluate the long term safety and the ability to lower cholesterol levels with an investigational drug.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of first-line treatment using Niaspan (an extended release version of niacin) and statins versus other drugs that lower lipid levels, in subjects with elevated fat levels in their blood (dyslipidemia). Statins are a class of medication that is often prescribed to patients who need to lower their cholesterol levels.

To determine whether immunosuppressive treatment improved cardiac function in patients with biopsy-proven myocarditis.

To compare two standard treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation: ventricular rate control and anticoagulation vs. rhythm control and anticoagulation.

To determine if dual chamber rate-modulated pacing (DDDR) in patients with sick sinus syndrome is superior to single chamber pacing (VVIR) with respect to subsequent frequency of adverse clinical events such as stroke, quality of life and function, and cost effectiveness.