
Sex and Gender Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease - Endocrine Vascular Disease Approach
Myocardial IschemiaThe application of sex-gender medicine is strongly recommended by World Health Organization and other international organization. In fact, it is emerging that, although men and women are affected to the same cardiovascular diseases (CVD), however they have different risk factors, disease progression and response to pharmacological and not-pharmacological treatments. Consequentially, the identification of biomarkers and therapeutic approaches taking into account sex gender differences (SGD) is relevant to develop a really evidence-based medicine. With the aim of translate in clinical setting the more recently available basic research evidences on estrogens and androgens balance involvement in modulation of ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage, the investigators planned to conduct a research study on patients, affected by suspected or known ischemic heart disease (IHD) undergoing angiography and/or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), aged more than 18 years of both sex in ratio 1:1. Thus, in this setting, the goals of this proposal are: To assess the sex-gender difference in entity of microvascular reperfusion damage in patients with IHD undergoing urgent or elective PCI; To evaluate estrogen/androgen-dependent and -independent effects in gender-related differences on myocardial ischemia reperfusion damage occurring during PCI; To investigate the differences in terms of platelet biology between men and women affected by IHD undergoing urgent or elective PCI, matched for age and clinical cardiovascular and metabolic characteristics; To verify sex-driven interplay between response to PCI procedure, platelet function, sex hormones and entity of reperfusion and myocardial damage, as well as, the impact on clinical outcomes during a 1-year follow up. This research study wants to explore and consequently elucidate biological mechanisms responsible for sex-based differences in vivo human models of ischemia reperfusion myocardial damage. Moreover, the investigators expected to clarify the impact of biological variables evaluated on clinical outcomes after reperfusion therapeutic intervention.

Determinants of Vasospasm and Delayed Ischemic Deficits in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
IschemiaThe risk of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with large cerebral artery vasospasm, but vasospasm is not a strong predictor for DCI. Assessment of cerebral autoregulation with transcranial Doppler (TCD) may improve the prediction of DCI. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the value of TCD-derived variables to be used alone or in combination for prediction of DCI

Revascularization in Nonagenarian Patients With Critical Lower Limb Ischaemia
Critical Limb IschemiaThe rise in life expectancy implies an increased number of nonagenarian patients who need evaluation for critical lower limb ischaemia (CLI). The study goal is to evaluate whether revascularization techniques in these patients fulfill a set of security and efficacy criteria generated from surgical results in a validated historical cohort.

Xarelto [SPAF] Post-marketing Surveillance in Japan
Brain IschemiaThis study is a regulatory post-marketing surveillance in Japan, and it is a local prospective and observational study of patients who have received Xarelto for SPAF. The objective of this study is to assess safety and effectiveness of Xarelto using in real clinical practice. A total of 10,000 patients are to be enrolled and assessed in 2 years standard observational period. An annual follow-up survey will be conducted for 5 years at the longest after standard observational period.

BIOFLOW-III Austria Satellite Registry
Coronary Artery DiseaseMyocardial IschemiaThis registry is a clinical post-market evaluation of the Orsiro LESS in subjects requiring coronary revascularization with Drug Eluting Stents (DES).

Door-to-door Survey of Cardiovascular Health, Stroke and Ischemic Heart Disease in Atahualpa
StrokeIschemic Heart DiseaseThe aim of the Atahualpa project is to evaluate the cardiovascular (CVH) status of the inhabitants of a rural village of coastal Ecuador as well as to determine the prevalence and retrospective incidence of stroke and ischemic heart disease. The protocol may be used as a pilot for large-scale studies attempting to evaluate the CVH of rural or even urban centers of Latin America, to implement cost-effective strategies directed to reduce the burden of stroke and cardiovascular diseases in the population at large.

Effect of Atorvastatin on the Frequency of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Patients With Ischemic...
Ventilator-associated PneumoniaIschemic StrokeVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in ventilated critically ill patients specially in intensive care unit (ICU). It is associated with an increased duration of mechanical ventilation, high death rates and increased healthcare costs in China. However, VAP is preventable and many practices have been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of this disease, but the morbidity is still so high. So much more methods of prevention should be needed to reduce the incidence of VAP. Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) present anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects besides their ability to regulate cholesterol composition. So it is hypothesized that early use of statin may prevent some of the infection disease such as VAP. Actually, Two studies have showed that statin treatment is associated with reduced risk of pneumonia. However, the relationship between statins and reduced risk of pneumonia is not consistent. After reviewing some of the guidelines,meta analyses and system reviews, the investigator find that advanced age,immune suppression from disease or medication and specially depressed level of consciousness are the risk factors of VAP. So the investigator assumes that early use of statin may give us a favorable outcome in the patients with coma or in the patients with severe disease (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > 15 or Glasgow coma score < 7). In addition there is no prospective study to investigate the role of statins in VAP in the patients with ischemic stroke. The investigator hopes that this study can approve the relationship between statins and reduced risk of VAP in the patients with ischemic stroke. And it can improve the processes,outcomes and costs of critical care as well.

Smoking Cessation Interventions in Stroke Patients
Ischemic StrokeThe primary objective of the present randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of three anti-smoking interventions of different intensities. It has been hypothesised that early follow-up visits facilitate post-stroke smoking cessation in patients hospitalized because of first-ever ischemic stroke.

Physical Activity Immediately After Acute Cerebral Ischemia
Ischemic StrokePhysical ActivityStroke is the leading cause of adult disability in Europe and United States and the second leading cause of death worldwide and affects more than 10,000 Danes each year. Studies in a late and stationary phase after stroke have shown that physical rehabilitation is of great importance for survival and physical ability of these patients, however many studies show that patients lie or sit next to their bed under hospitalization for more than 88.5 % of the daily hours. Physical activity in stroke patients has never previously been measured immediately after debut of symptoms; furthermore there is no knowledge about the optimal dose of physical rehabilitation for these patients. Accelerometers, small measuring devices, are a relatively new way to measure physical activity precisely, and hence it is possible to obtain an objective measure of how active stroke patients are in the first week after admission. The accelerometers measure a variable voltage, depending on the range and intensity of movement. They can measure movement dependent of the placement of the accelerometer, for instance over the hip, arm or leg. Studies confirm their reliability, even in patients with abnormal gait, such as stroke patients. Another approach of studying the effects of physical activity and rehabilitation is through the examination of biomarkers. Studies have shown that biomarkers released during physical activity can inhibit biomarkers released after tissue injury in the brain, as seen after stroke. These brain biomarkers cause further damage and studies show that the higher the levels, the higher the damage. It is therefore obvious to examine whether physical activity rehabilitation can down regulate this destructive process in patients with stroke. Clarification of physical activity in stroke patients immediately after debut of symptoms and examination of both the biochemical aspects of physical rehabilitation as well as the optimal dose of physical rehabilitation is of great importance for many patients, their relatives as well as of a great socioeconomic importance. The purpose of the project is to describe the amount and pattern of physical activity in stroke patients in the first week after admission. The investigators hypothesis is that patients are inactive for most of the time during hospitalization, activity being correlated with severity of stroke, but not with age, BMI and sex.

Extracellular Matrix Marker of Arrhythmia Risk (EMMA)
MyocardiopathiesIschemia5 moreAssess whether serum levels of MMP 2 and or MMP 9 correlate with episodes of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation in patients who have implantable cardioverter defibrillator devices.