
Markers of Inflammation and Lung Recovery in ECMO Patients for PPHN
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the NewbornRespiratory failure in newborns is common and has high rates of death. Where conventional intensive care strategies have failed, newborn children are referred to treatment with Extra- Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). This involves connecting children via large bore cannulas placed in their heart and major blood vessels to an artificial lung that adds oxygen to their blood and removes waste gases (carbon dioxide). Although this treatment saves lives, it still has some limitations. In particular, severe complications like bleeding, or damage to the kidneys can occur. These complications can lead to death in some cases and long-term disability in others. Based on ongoing research in adults and children undergoing cardiac surgery the investigators have identified a new process that may underlie some of the complications observed in ECMO. The investigators have noted that when transfused blood is infused in an ECMO circuit, this results in the accelerated release of substances from the donor cells that cause organ damage; at least in adults. There are treatments that can reverse this process. Before the investigators explore whether these treatments should be used in newborn children on ECMO, the investigators must first demonstrate that they can measure the complex inflammatory processes that occur in these critically ill children. The investigators therefore propose to conduct a feasibility study to identify the practical issues and challenges that would need to be overcome in order to perform a successful trial in this high-risk population.

ACEI or ARB and COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in US Veterans
HypertensionCOVIDSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, enters type II pneumocytes using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). It is unclear whether ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) increase, decrease, or have no significant effect on ACE2 expression or activity. Therefore, ACEI and ARB may be harmful, beneficial, or have no impact on Coronavirus Disease 2019 severity and mortality. The Specific Aims of this observational study are: (1) Among SARS-CoV-2-positive outpatients, compare all-cause hospitalization and mortality rates between: 1.1 Current users of a range of doses of ACEI/ARB- vs. non- ACEI/ARB-based regimens, and 1.2 Current users of a range of doses of ACEI- vs. ARB-based regimens, and (2) Among those hospitalized for COVID-19, compare all-cause mortality between: 2.1 Current users of a range of doses of ACEI/ARB- vs. non- ACEI/ARB-based regimens, and 2.2 Current users of a range of doses of ACEI- vs. ARB-based regimens.

Sympathetic Activity and Cardiometabolic Complications
Catecholamine; OverproductionCatecholamine; Secretion6 moreRecent studies on catecholamine physiology have shown a direct correlation with arterial hypertension, overcoming the exclusive role in the diagnosis and follow-up of chromaffin tumors. Nevertheless, in literature, few studies explore and reveal the utility of testing metanephrines for the evaluation of sympathetic activity and its associated cardiometabolic complications in patients with essential hypertension.

Aspirin for the Prevention of Preeclampsia in Women With Stage 1 Hypertension
Pre-EclampsiaIn 2017, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association changed the diagnostic criteria for hypertension in non-pregnant adults. The parameters for the diagnosis of stage 1 hypertension were revised from a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 140 to 130 mm Hg and a diastolic BP of 90 to 80 mm Hg. Based on new criteria, stage 1 hypertension is associated with a 2-3 fold increased risk of preeclampsia. There are no data regarding prevention of preeclampsia in women with stage 1 hypertension. Low-dose aspirin has been used during pregnancy to prevent preeclampsia for women at high-risk for preeclampsia. Although the precise mechanism remains uncertain, it is possible that low-dose aspirin improves placental perfusion, which results in a decreased rate of preeclampsia. A study that examines the effect of low-dose aspirin on placenta vasculature and tissue elastography by using novel ultrasound tools would be useful. The 2017 Aspirin for Evidence-Based Preeclampsia Prevention trial compared 150 mg aspirin with placebo in women at high-risk of preeclampsia based on a first-trimester screening. They found a significant decrease in the rate of preterm preeclampsia (4.3% vs. 1.6%; P <0.01). Since this study used the screening algorithm including first-trimester serum markers and uterine artery Doppler, the generalizability in the U.S. women with stage 1 hypertension is limited. Our pilot study will examine 1) the effect of low-dose aspirin 81 mg in women with stage 1 hypertension on placental vasculature and shear-wave elastography; 2) the rate of preterm preeclampsia in women with stage 1 hypertension in a control group and in pregnancies treated with low-dose aspirin 81 mg; 3) feasibility of conducting a larger multicenter randomized controlled trial on this subject.

Preservative-free Fixed-dose Combination of Tafluprost 0.0015% / Timolol 0.5% in Patients With Open-angle...
Ocular Surface DiseasePrimary Open Angle GlaucomaThe primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Tafluprost / Timolol in controlling ocular hypertension, as measured by mean change in intra-ocular pressure (IOP) from baseline to after 6 months of treatment from initiation, in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT), who do not respond sufficiently to initial topical treatment, in routine clinical practice.

EGD vs EUS in Diagnosing Portal Hypertension in Cirrhotic Patients.
Liver CirrhosesPortal HypertensionLiver cirrhosis with the further development of portal hypertension implies structural and vasculature alteration in the portosplenic circulation. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the standard of care for the detection and treatment of esophageal varices, as esophageal varices serve as a surrogate for estimating a portal pressure gradient > 10 mmHG. Endoscopic ultrasound evaluation allows the detection of peri-esophageal collateral veins, perforating veins and para-esophageal collateral veins, which has demonstrated to be effective for the prediction of esophageal varices recurrence after variceal eradication. The investigators aimed to compare esophagogastroduodenoscopy versus endoscopic ultrasound evaluation for the early diagnosis of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients.

Hemodynamic Stability of Dexmedetomidine in Hypertensive Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy...
HypertensionLaparoscopic CholecystectomyDexmedetomidine provides better hemodynamic stability to the patients with hypertension undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BMPR2 Mutations and Iron Metabolism in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionPreviously characterised PAH patients, including idiopathic, heritable and other forms of group 1 PAH with and without BMPR2 mutation which have already been analysed and are regularly seen in the Center for Pulmonary Hypertension may be contacted to participate in the study. Clinical and laboratory values will be collected prospectively. Patients with IPAH/HPAH and other forms of PAH who are newly diagnosed within the duration of the trial will receive routine diagnostic workup including the routine information about a possible BMPR2 mutation analysis for IPAH/HPAH patients according to guidelines. During their routine visit the patients' medical history will be obtained and physical examination will be conducted. Moreover, an electrocardiogram (ECG), determination of World Health Organization (WHO)-functional class, laboratory testing (NT-proBNP and routine laboratory), echocardiography will be routinely carried out. BMPR2 expression levels will be measured in blood samples. Additionally, laboratory samples will be collected for analysis of further parameters reflecting iron metabolism such as hepcidin, ferritin, iron levels, IL6 and circulating soluble transferrin receptor Levels. In addition, healthy controls will be invited to participate in this study to obtain comparable levels of hepcidin and BMPR2 pathway members.

Nitroglycerine Versus Dexmedetomidine Infusion in Intraoperative Management of Uncontrolled Hypertension...
HypertensionThis study aim to compare the efficacy of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion versus Nitroglycerin infusion in cancer patients with accidental uncontrolled intraoperative elevation of blood pressure.

Endovenous Sildenafil Early Management in Newborns Pulmonary Hypertension
HypertensionPulmonarySildenafil is currently approved for the management of pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, with the availability of intravenous presentation it has been seen that the severity condition has already established, many times these patients do not have the adequate clinical response and there are no studies to date that evaluate the efficacy and safety of the same when it is started early in these patients, therefore we plan a randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy and safety of the administration of intravenous sildenafil for early management of newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.