Ambulatory Versus Home Blood Pressure Measurement
Arterial HypertensionThis is a prospective study comparing the three blood pressure monitoring methods on the diagnosis of arterial hypertension. Blood pressure of each subject will be evaluated with clinic, home and 24h ambulatory blood pressure measurements in three visits
SAPPHIRe III in Taiwan-Progression Evaluation and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Hypertensive Families...
HypertensionThe purpose of this study is to determine the progression evaluation, cardiovascular outcomes, and genetic determinations of hypertension in Chinese
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis
Systemic SclerosisPulmonary Arterial HypertensionThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of stress echocardiography, compared to standard echocardiography in the early identification of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. To evaluate the role of BNP in this setting.To analyze data recorded with respect to the parameters commonly used for SSc evaluation (eg thorax HRCT, pulmonary function tests + DLCO, nailfold capillaroscopy, etc); these parameters are available starting for 1999.
Correlation of Liver and Spleen Stiffness by RT-2D-SWE and Severity of Portal Hypertension by HVPG...
Chronic Liver DiseasesPortal hypertension (PH) results from the increase of portal flow resistance in fibrotic tissue of the liver in patients with chronic liver diseases, leading to complications such as varices formation and variceal bleeding, ascites formation, spleenomegaly and hypersplenismus, systemic haemodynamic disorders and porto-systemic shunts formation. Early detection of PH in patients with chronic liver diseases is clinically important as it should change patient management in order to prevent the formation/onset or recurrence of PH complications. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement is the gold standard for the assessment of the severity of PH. However, it is an invasive method with its risks, and relatively costly. On the other hand transient elastography (TE) emerged as a non-invasive, easy, safe and low cost method with the potential to assess the severity of PH, as liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffens (SS) measured by TE showed very good correlation with HVPG. Real-time 2D shear wave elastography (RT-2D-SWE) is an ultrasound elastography method reliable for non-invasive assessment of fibrosis stage especially in chronic viral hepatitis, but only preliminary data exist on the correlation of RT-2D-SWE measured LS/SS with and HVPG. In this study we hypothesized that LS and SS measured by RT-2D-SWE correlate with HVPG enabling RT-2D-SWE to be used for the assessment of severity of PH. The primary aim of this study is to analyse correlation between LS and SS as assessed by RT-2D-SWE and TE with the grade of portal hypertension as assessed by HVPG. The secondary aims are: 1) to analyse clinical outcomes of these patients in order to determine if LS and/or SS as assessed by RT-2D-SWE might predict adverse outcomes (liver decompensation, death or HCC development), and 2) to compare clinical performance (AUC) of RT-2D-SWE and TE for the assessment of the PH severity as well as for predicting clinical outcomes. Patients with suspicion of having compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) as assesed by non-invasive methods (transabdominal ultrasound, laboratory findings, FIB-4 and APRI score, and LS measurements by TE), will be included. Since positive predictive value of non-invasive methods for cirrhosis is generally not very reliable, these patients will be offered transjugular liver biopsy and HVPG measurements as gold-standard methods to define the stage of liver disease and severity of PH. These patients will undergo LS and SS measurements by RT-2D-SWE on Aixplorer SuperSonic Imagine ultrasound system and HVPG measurements as well, with transjugular liver biopsy performed during the same session. After SWE™ and HVPG measurement, 5-year follow-up is planned, including standard surveillance: laboratory findings, transabdominal US every six months and upper-GI endoscopy according to relevant guidelines, as well as treatment according to relevant guidelines as indicated: beta blockers, endoscopic variceal ligation, etiologic treatment and dietary measures. Appropriate statistical analysis will be undertaken after the enrollment period, as well as after follow-up period.
Retina Microvascular Remodeling and Cognitive Function In Hypertension
HypertensionMild Cognitive ImpairmentThis study aims to determine the relationships between retina micro-vascular remodeling and cognitive function in hypertensive patients. The study plans to enrol 160 patients (100 patients with mild cognitive impairment -MCI- and 60 without MCI).
Stress Ventricular Function in Evaluating Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
DyspneaThis study investigated clinical parameters, laboratory data, imaging studies to evaluate patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension.
International Registry for Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness Telemonitoring
HypertensionThis Registry is an investigator-initiated, international, multicenter, observational, prospective study aiming at: i) evaluating non-invasive 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness estimates (through 24-h pulse wave analysis) in hypertensive subjects; ii) assessing the changes in estimates following treatment; iii) weighing the impact of 24-h pulse wave analysis on target organ damage and cardiovascular prognosis; iv) assessing the relationship between arterial stiffness, blood pressure absolute level and variability, and prognosis. Approximately 2000 subjects, referred to 20 hypertension clinics for routine diagnostic evaluation and follow-up of hypertension, will be recruited. Data collection will include ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, performed with a device allowing simultaneous non-invasive assessment of blood pressure and arterial stiffness, and clinical data (including cardiovascular outcomes). A web-based telemedicine platform will be used for data collection. Subjects will visit the centers at 6-12 month intervals. First follow-up results are expected to be available in the next 2-years. The results of the Registry will help defining the normalcy thresholds for current and future indices derived from 24-h pulse wave velocity, according to outcome data. They will also provide supporting evidence for the inclusion of such evaluation in recommendations on hypertension management.
Magnetic Resonance Venography Pre- and Post-Treatment in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension...
Pseudotumor CerebriThis prospective study will use magnetic resonance imaging of patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), to determine if the common radiological finding of transverse venous sinus stenosis can be reversed with standard of care medical treatment of IIH.
Evaluation of Rate of Progression With Perimetry in Newly Diagnosed Open Angle Glaucoma
GlaucomaOpen-Angle1 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate rate of progression in newly diagnosed open angle glaucoma with different types of perimetry. Would it be possible to find the rapidly progressing individuals sooner by doing perimetry more often? Is there a difference between different types of perimetry in early glaucoma? What would be the optimal timing of perimetry in newly diagnosed glaucoma? In addition the quality of life in glaucoma patients will be evaluated with two types of questionnaires in three different time points. The enrolled patients will receive appropriate treatment according to glaucoma management guidelines.
Aqueous Dynamics and Glaucoma Surgeries
GlaucomaOcular HypertensionThere are currently many surgical options for patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT), including the Hydrus Microstent implant, HiFU (High intensity Focused ultrasound), STAR flo, Kahook Dual Blade, Diode laser, trabeculectomy and the Baerveldt implant, but little is known about how these different surgical techniques used to treat glaucoma affect the flow of fluid through and out of the eye (aqueous dynamics).