Active clinical trials for "Myocardial Ischemia"

The purpose of the study is to adopt the Trans-theoretical Model to facilitate step-by-step changes in a patient's smoking behavior and explore the effect of "Cognitive-Behavioral Education Course" and "Exercise Program" on Smoking cessation, physical health, and mental health of smokers with CAD.

Patients with coronary artery disease are characterized by an increased cardiovascular risk and they often have low blood high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels or HDL-cholesterol with modified vasculoprotective properties. The purpose of the present study is to characterize the quality of HDL-cholesterol in patients with coronary artery disease and normal blood HDL-cholesterol levels and to examine the effect of exercise training on the vasculoprotective effects of HDL-cholesterol in these patients. Additionally, the researchers aim to investigate the endothelial function, oxidative stress and the regenerative capacity of the endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease and the changes dependent on physical activity of patients.

The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of vascular related complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention assigned to one of two arms: 1) bivalirudin + provisional Gp IIB/IIIA use versus 2) heparin + Gp IIB/IIIA (eptifibatide (Integrilin®)) use.

Topic: Effectiveness of the nurse-led support programme using a mobile application versus telephone advice on patients at risk of coronary heart disease - a randomized controlled trial Aims: The study aims to compare the effects of a nurse-led support programme using a mobile application versus telephone advice on patients at risk of coronary heart disease who have been discharged from the emergency department (ED). Methods: A multi-centre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. 80 patients diagnosed as being at risk of CHD, able to use a smart phone, and who have been discharged from the ED will be randomized into the App Support Programme (ASP) group or the Telephone Support (TS) group. All participants will receive standard medical and nursing care on discharge. The ASP group will receive an app whereas the TS group will receive telephone support provided by the nurse for 20 minutes bi-weekly. The self-developed mobile app will support clients in managing their health problems and lifestyle. It is comprised of: (1) a knowledge health platform, (2) a membership area for individual health measures and exercise records, (3) a Chest Pain - Things to Do List, and (4) an individual reminder and measure feedback system. Health outcomes will be collected at baseline (T0), 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2). The primary outcome is Self-efficacy and self-management behavior. Secondary outcomes are: (i) ED and hospitalization frequency; (ii) Physiological health profile and cardiovascular functional endurance; (3) total amount of exercise; (4) perceived stress level; (5) health literacy; and (6) quality of life. Data analysis: A Generalized Estimating Equations model will be used to assess differential changes in all outcome variables.

This study evaluates the effect of Indobufen and Aspirin on platelet aggregation and long term prognosis in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

It aims to compare the effects of a professional -led support programme using a mobile application versus telephone advice on clients at risk of coronary heart disease. A multi-centre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. 168 Clients who are at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), able to use a smart phone will be randomized into the App Support group (App group) or the Nursing Telephone advice (NTA) group . All participants will receive same nursing educational briefing related to CHD. The App Group will additional receive an app use to support their self care whereas the NTA group will receive nursing telephone advice for 20 minutes monthly. Health outcomes will be collected at baseline (T0), 1 months (T1), 3 months (T2). Data analysis will be conducted using a Generalized Estimating Equations model to assess differential changes in all outcome variables.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition which refers to the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart. It is a common cause of chest-pain related symptoms and as a result of a 'heart attack'. In most cases, to assess the severity of the disease is to use coronary angiography, which is a medical imaging technique that uses contrast (a dye) and x-ray to show the blood-flow supply of the coronary arteries. The optimal treatment for patients with symptomatic coronary disease is aggressive medical therapy. Current guidelines recommend patients with symptomatic CAD and severe disease on angiography undergo revascularisation therapy, which aims to restore blood flow to blocked arteries. This can be done by either percutaneous coronary intervention (feeding a small balloon or other device on a thin tube through blood vessels to the point of blockage and then inflate the balloon to open the artery), or coronary artery bypass grafting (open-heart surgery)2. For many symptomatic patients who have only moderate disease on angiography, further functional testing is required to assess the extent of the blockage. This can be achieved by placing a pressure wire to the artery of interest, to determine the likelihood that the blockage impedes oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, known as the Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)3. FFR is commonly performed at the Alfred hospital in the assessment of such patients. During an FFR procedure, further information regarding the health of the small arteries of the heart can be obtained with the calculation of the index of micro-vascular resistance (IMR), Giving oxygen to patients with CAD is a common clinical practice, especially to all patients in the catheterisation laboratory whose had a 'heart attack' and often administered concurrently with light sedation during elective procedures. Recently, however, the safety of routine supplemental oxygen in patients with CAD has been questioned5. A research study analysed the outcomes of three small randomised studies on oxygen in patients who experienced a 'heart attack', while suggestive of harm, the findings of the study remain inconclusive. There may also be deleterious effects of supplemental oxygen, on more stable patients with CAD, who are not experiencing a 'heart attack'. Supplemental oxygen administered in the catheterisation laboratory to patients with stable CAD, has been shown to significantly reduce coronary artery blood flow and increase its resistance6-8. It has also been shown to reduce cardiac output and effect the relaxation phase of the heart cycle. Based on this data it is hypothesised that supplemental oxygen may affect FFR in patients with moderate CAD. The investigators therefore propose to undertake a study of the effects of supplemental oxygen on FFR in patients with moderate CAD. The patients enrolled into the study will be scheduled for an elective normal contrast diagnostic or interventional procedure as part of their clinically-indicated care. Once a moderate blockage of the artery has been identified, FFR and IMR will be measured. During the first phase of the FFR study, the patient will breathe room air and have a blood test to measure their oxygen level (blood gas). There is a 3 minute washout period, followed by the second phase, whereby the patient will be given 100% oxygen for 10 minutes and have another blood gas measured. The study will be conducted at Alfred Hospital with a total enrollment of 18 subjects. The estimated time to complete enrollment is 6-10 months. Data collected on each patient will include demographics, medical history, vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, height, and weight), usage of cardiovascular medications, pathology results and procedural records. Any adverse events or serious adverse events related to the study procedure will also be recorded.

The hypothesis is that problem based learning (PBL) in patient education positively affects self-care agency of lifestyle changes after an event of coronary heart disease (CHD). The investigators therefore aim to determine whether long-term follow-up in primary health care in patient education involving PBL affects self-care behaviour in terms of patients' beliefs, self-efficacy and empowerment to make lifestyle changes. The general aim is to evaluate if PBL in patient education after CHD affects long-term self-care in relation to present lifestyle goals. Another aim of the study is to perform an economic assessment of long term effects of life style changes reached by using PBL after en event of CHD.

Organic nitrates increase levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (Thum et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2007 Apr;27(4):748-54). Here, we want to test the effects of two different organic nitrates (PETN, ISDN) on number and function of endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial function.

Background Physical activity (PA), is an effective means of protecting against cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. PA refers to any skeletal muscle bodily movement that requires energy expenditure. Research shows that low- to moderate-intensity muscle endurance exercise, such as walking or brisk walking for about 15-20 minutes per day, is associated with a significantly lower CVD risk regardless of body mass index. Mobile technologies such as smartphone physical exercise apps offer a potentially cost-effective platform for facilitating regular exercise, allowing individuals to set goals, receiving feedback on achievements and health information for facilitating regular exercise. "Zero-time Exercise" (ZTE) is a new concept for physical activities (PA) and exercise promotion and can easily attract attention especially when most people believe that extra time is needed to do exercise. ZTE can be done easily during most time of day, while sitting, standing, walking or waiting. These include simple movements, such as stretching and resistance (endurance) movements of the head, neck and shoulders, chest and abdominal muscles and the upper and lower limbs. When ZTE is integrated into daily life and sustained with increasing intensity, the effects could be substantial, especially for those who are sedentary and have difficulties to meet the minimal requirements of 150 minutes of at least moderate PA per week. The term is also intended to motivate people to start with simple exercises (the 'Foot-in-the-door' approach), change the mindset (that exercises need much time, money and sweats) and overcome the inertia from a sedentary lifestyle to become more active. It could also be a way to promote mental health (such as increasing happiness) through PA or exercises and enjoying the fun and satisfaction from the rapid improvements in fitness performances. Having brought some easily observable benefits quickly to those who are willing to try for a few days, ZTE might lead to more intensive or vigorous exercises requiring extra time for greater benefits. Objective: To test the feasibility [recruitment, dropout, and adherence to PA] of using whatsapp as an inertia reminder to promote the adherence of Zero-time Exercises (ZTE) in patients with CHD.