Active clinical trials for "Calcinosis"

The purpose of this study is to determine the: Natural history of calcification posttransplantation Natural history of BMC following renal transplantation Reverse correlation between calcification score and aortic calcifications following renal transplantation Correlation of IMT, BMC, PWV and biochemical variables Correlation of IMT, BMC, PWV, biochemical variables and outcome Predictors of CV disease after transplantation Predictors of IMT progression, BMC loss and PWV progression after renal transplantation

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) indications are progressing rapidly as an alternative to conventional surgery for aortic stenosis cure. Despite a high rate of procedural success, some patients do not benefit from the procedure. The investigators hypothesis is that aortic stiffness may be of major prognostic significance after stenosis relief. The aim of this study is to test the prognostic impact of aortic stiffness estimated by the volume of calcifications of the thoracic aorta on the CT-scan performed systematically before the procedure. This prognostic value will be assessed in 4 independent cohorts issued from 4 french cities (Lyon, Rouen, Paris, Clermont-Ferrand).

Although aortic valve replacement is recommended for any symptomatic severe calcific aortic stenosis, the therapeutic decision may be difficult. because of patient age and comorbidities. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has recently extended the therapeutic indications in patients at high risk of surgery. However, the proportion of different treatments is not known in a contemporary population that can be treated according to the different resources currently available. The scientific goal of this observational research is to evaluate intra-hospital therapeutic decision in elderly patients referred because of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The one-year survival will be analyzed according to the therapeutic decision and the characteristics of the patients.

BACKGROUND In the context of a progressively aging population, monitoring the status of Vascular Calcifications (VC) and Vertebral Fractures (VF) over time would be of primary importance, as VC and VF are recognized to be hallmarks of severe cardiovascular events (hospitalization and/or death) and hip fractures respectively, and VF represent an under-diagnosed cause of progressive disability and pain on its own. Moreover, there is an acknowledged relationships between VC and VF. However, data about the emergence/progression of VC and the emergence/worsening of VF over time are lacking. This is likely due to the absence of monitoring instruments for VC and VF that are both precise and easily accessible/applicable. OBJECTIVE This study aims to define the observer variability of a new software developed by the study sponsor and collaborators, called Calcify2D. Calcify2D offers physicians a computer-assisted procedure to simultaneously score vascular calcifications at the abdominal aorta and lumbar vertebral fractures (according to Quantitative Vertebral Morphometry principles) based on a latero-lateral thoracolumbar spine radiography. Secondary aims are the validation of the scores obtained from latero-lateral thoracolumbar spine radiography with more invasive and/or costly gold-standard imaging modalities (Computed Tomography for VC, Magnetic Resonance for VF) that may have been acquired near-simultaneously to radiographs on the patients enrolled for the study. STUDY DESIGN Not-for-profit monocentric observational study to be conducted on the diagnostic images of the thoracolumbar spine already collected at Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IOR) within a previous interventional study. Scoring of VC and VF will be performed by four clinicians from four relevant specialties, chosen among those who may often see VC and VF and are already familiar with the traditional scoring systems for both VC and VF (one radiologist and one spine orthopaedics from IOR, one nephrologist from the National Research Council and one internist from University of Padua). Each clinician will assess all radiographs to score VC and QVM, both via computer assisted procedures and via traditional visual inspection. To avoid bias, an interval of at least one week will be left between the computer assisted and visual scoring. To define intra-observer variability (i.e. repeatability), the whole dataset will be re-assessed three times.

The investigators planned to research the association between plasma melatonin and coronary artery calcification in a Chinese population.

Calcification clusters are 30-40% of recalls in mammographic screening, but have a low positive predictive value (~15%) for ductal cancer in situ (DCIS) or invasive cancer. These calcifications often need histological assessment with stereotaxic guided biopsy (Mammotome). With extended calcifications, choosing the best area to biopsy may be challenging. The main objective of this 1:1 randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare the accuracy of the CESM guide (study arm with biopsy under CESM guidance) with the traditional Mammotome (control arm with biopsy under stereotactic guidance) in conducting the biopsy in the area of greatest malignancy/grade of the lesion, using as gold-standard the histological exam of the operating piece. Women recalled with indication to perform stereotactic biopsy for clusters of suspicious calcifications on mammography (BIRADS R3 or R4 or R5) not mass-associated will be included. Anticipated sample size is 100 women per arm.

Aim and background: This study will seek to identify physiological and biochemical factors explaining and predicting a higher than expected central (aortic) blood pressure (BP) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The basic hypothesis of the study is that the degree of aortic calcification is an important component of elevated central BP, which, in turn, is important for the organ-damage and increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with CKD. Methods: Adult patients with varying degrees of CKD undergoing scheduled coronary angiography (CAG) at Aarhus University Hospital will be included in this study. During the CAG procedure, systolic and diastolic BP is determined in the ascending part of aorta by a calibrated pressure transducer connected to the fluid-filled CAG catheter. Simultaneous with the registration of invasive aortic BP, estimation of central BP is performed using radial artery tonometry (SphygmoCor®), while a corresponding brachial BP is also measured. Prior to the CAG, a non-contrast CT scan of aorta in its entirety will be performed to enable blinded quantification of calcification in the wall of aorta and coronary arteries. Furthermore, echocardiography, resting BP measurement and a range of blood- and urine samples will be performed.

Coronary artery disease are 8 times more prevalent in patients with NAFLD then the general population and are being considered the most common cause of death. Cardiac CT is a reliable non invasive method in demonstrating Coronary Plaques. However the association between coronary artery calcium score (CAC) and NAFLD remains controversial

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the correlation of coronary artery calcification as measured by electron-beam computerized tomography and coronary flow reserve measured by trans-thoracic Doppler echocardiography in hemodialysis patients. The investigators also assessed the carotid artery parameters by measuring intima media thickness that can accurately describe the process of arterial wall changes due to atherosclerosis. Possible association of coronary flow reserve with inflammation and arterial calcification in hemodialysis patients was also evaluated.

The purpose of the study is to assess whether the use of warfarin, a commonly used anticoagulation drug, is associated with increased amounts of coronary artery calcification. Studies in animals and preliminary but small retrospective studies in humans have suggested a possible link to increased tissue calcification with use of this drug. The researchers will investigate this by assessing the amount of calcification seen in the coronary arteries using a specialized computed tomography (CT) scan (electron-beam CT) and assessing to see if the amount is influenced by the amount of time a patient has been taking warfarin. The researchers will exclude patients with known coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease or hyperparathyroidism.