Active clinical trials for "Calcinosis"

Kidney disease is a fundamental part of medicine because of its prominence in Western society. Common conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney infections can all progress to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) also known as Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD 5). Once ESRD has begun, kidney function is poor at best, thus the body is unable to effectively clear harmful toxins from the blood. A common feature of ESRD is vascular calcification, a process where blood vessels (especially arteries) attract deposits of the mineral calcium. Over time, these deposits harden and thicken in the layers of blood vessels, which limit blood flow to body tissues and can produce significant disease including hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Although the process of vascular calcification is unknown, there is mounting evidence that it is mediated by cellular events that are similar to those seen in bone formation with in the body (osteogenesis). With this point in mind, it has been suggested that agents medicine employs to limit excess bone formation will reduce the rate of vascular calcification in CKD Stage 5. This study will employ one group of drugs called bisphosphonates which have been used to limit bone formation. It will study their effect on vascular calcification in adult dialysis patients.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in the hemodialysis population and calcification of the major arteries (coronary, aorta, and carotid) are a play a central role in this process. The major causes of the calcification are many, including high levels of phosphorus, low levels of inhibitors of calcification, positive calcium balance, and oxidative stress. Once vascular calcification is present, it is usually progressive. There is no known treatment to reverse established vascular calcification. Sodium thiosulfate has been used extensively and safely to treat calcific uremic arteriopathy (a disease, in part due to calcification of small arteries) in dialysis patients. It increases the solubility of calcium by up to 100,000 fold and is also a potent anti-oxidant. It therefore has to potential to also decrease the amount of calcium in large arteries in dialysis patients and, hence improve survival. We will study hemodialysis (HD) patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease and death by obtaining a multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) Scan of the coronary arteries, carotid arteries and aorta and an assessment of coronary artery stenoses by a simultaneous intravenous infusion of contrast. At the same setting, we will perform tests of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid ultrasound carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT)studies. In those patients at high risk for cardiovascular death, defined as a coronary artery calcification score (CACS)of greater than 50, sodium thiosulfate at a dose of 12.5-25 gm/1.73 M2 will be infused over 15-30 minutes after each dialysis treatment for 5 months. The above studies will then be repeated.

This prospective, randomized, controlled study aims to investigate the effects of atorvastatin treatment in hemodialysis patients concerning progression of coronary artery calcification, progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness, endothelial function, and inflammation.

Vitamin K-antagonists (VKA) such as warfarin are the most widely used blood thinners for irregular heart beats like atrial fibrillation. Several lines of evidence indicate, however, that these agents also cause calcification of vessels (hardening of the vessels). Vascular calcification is one of the recently revealed side-effects of warfarin therapy. We will be randomizing 66 patients to either take warfarin or a new blood thinner that works without affecting vitamin k (apixaban). Patients will undergo blood testing and a CT angiogram (non-invasive angiogram) at the beginning of the study, and then be followed for one year with quarterly visits including blood tests and given either warfarin or vitamin K. After one year, they will undergo another CT angiogram and examination and blood tests and the effect of apixaban and warfarin are tested to look at plaque and changes over time. Patients will be consented in a private room and the risks and benefits will be explained. The risks include the CT angiogram and the possibility of either remaining on warfarin therapy for another year (standard of care) or taking a medicine that doesn't require monitoring (apixaban) for one year. The CT angiograms will require some contrast and some radiation dose, which will be minimized as much as possible. A cardiologist will be present during each CT angiogram to minimize risk and ensure patient safety.

The VICTORIA Study (Vascular CalcIfiCation and sTiffness induced by ORal antIcoAgulation) is a comparative, parallel, prospective, controlled and randomized study of the structural and functional impact of rivaroxaban versus anti-vitamin K drugs on the arterial vasculature.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of two phosphate binders, PhosLo and sevelamer, on heart calcification in dialysis patients. The study will use a non-invasive technique, electron beam computed tomography (CT) scanning, to measure calcium in the coronary arteries, the aortic valve, and the mitral valve.

50 patients will be randomized and treated with MCO or highflux dialysis for six months (24 weeks) after a run-in phase of 4 weeks Highflux treatment. Serum samples will be drawn at baseline, after 4, 8 and 24 weeks. Later, calcifiying vascular smooth muscle cells will be incubated with these serum samples and calcification will be assessed with Alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin staining. Primary endpoint: In vitro Calcification of coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (Alkaline Phosphatase/ WST8) after six months Calcifiying vascular smooth muscle cells will be incubated with serum samples obtained after six months of MCO/HF dialysis and calcification will be assessed with Alkaline phosphatase and WST8. Secondary Endpoints: Aortic Pulse wave velocity after 6 months Calcification propensity after 6 months Physical activity level after 6 months Cell culture: Incubation of VSMC with serum samples obtained after 6 months Alizarin staining/WST-8 Measurement of calcification inhibitors Osteopontin and Matrix Gla Protein in Supernatants Apoptosis The treatment regimen of the patients will not be altered, hence blood flow, dialysate flow as well as dialysis time will remain constant.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether cinacalcet + low dose vitamin D attenuates the progression of vascular calcification over one year, compared with a treatment regimen that includes flexible vitamin D dosing in the absence of cinacalcet, in subjects with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis

This is a 10 year study of scleroderma patients with calcinosis 1) to better understand how common and if there are any risk factors for having calcinosis 2) to identify common complications associated with scleroderma-related calcinosis. .

Patients with calcinosis cutis due to connective tissue disease get a shock wave therapy. The shock wave therapy will be done in 3 sessions with one week interval. The outcome parameters are: change in pain, size of the calcinosis, of possible ulcers and intake of painkillers. Trial with medical device