Prediction of Delayed Toxic Cardiomyopathy in Children
CardiotoxicityChildhood CancerLongitudinal analysis of myocardial function using "Speckle Tracking Echocardiography" STE analysis and prediction of delayed toxic induced cardiomyopathy in young patients who received anthracycline therapy in childhood.
Role of Statin Therapy in Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Doxorubicin Induced CardiomyopathyThis study aims at evaluating the role of Atorvastatin in prevention of Anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity
Prevalence of Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in Clinically Significant Aortic Stenosis
Aortic StenosisTransthyretin Amyloidosis2 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (TTR-CA) among patients with moderate and severe aortic stenosis in Southeast Minnesota using 99mTc-PYP single-photon positive emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT).
HIS-Purkinje Conduction System Pacing Optimized Trial of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Heart Failure,CongestiveCardiomyopathies1 moreThis is a randomized, prospective, single-blinded trial to determine the overall rate of successful His-Purkinje conduction system pacing Optimized Trial of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (HOT-CRT) versus biventricular pacing using coronary sinus lead (BVP) to compare acute and mid-term outcomes. Acute outcomes include change in QRS duration pre-and post-pacing (degree of QRS narrowing) and incidence of major periprocedural complications (pericardial tamponade, need for lead revision, etc.). Mid-term outcomes include echocardiographic response at 6 months along with a composite clinical outcome of heart failure hospitalization, ventricular arrhythmias, crossover, and all-cause mortality.
Athlete's Heart or Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Contribution of Exercise Cardiovascular...
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular CardiomyopathyProspective, nonrandomized, single-center, comparative study to define if right ventricular (RV) contractile reserve assessed by exercise CMR helps to improve the differential diagnosis between pathological and physiological remodeling of the RV; ie. arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and athlete's heart.
Prospective Evaluation Of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Conduction Instability In Predicting Ventricular...
Hypertrophic CardiomyopathyHypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited heart condition. Most people who have it are unaware of any problems relating to it. Unfortunately, a small number of people with the condition can suddenly develop a dangerous fast heart beat that can lead to death. There is no cure, but implanting a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which is like a pacemaker can save the life of affected individuals. However, ICD implantation has its own problems, so choosing who gets an ICD is a very important decision. The current approach for recommending people for an ICD has limitations and a better method is needed. Investigators have developed a new technique called the 'Ventricular Conduction Stability' (V-CoS). This involves wearing a special vest which records electrical signals from the heart, and then running on a treadmill. Investigators have used it to identify abnormalities in the hearts of people with (HCM) who have also survived a life-threatening event. This project aims to test new tool against current methods to ascertain which is better at identifying patients who should have an ICD.
Conduction System Stimulation to Avoid Left Ventricle Dysfunction
Atrioventricular BlockSecond and Third Degree2 moreThe aim of the study is to demonstrate that conduction system pacing (CSP) can preserve a normal ventricular function compared to right ventricular apical pacing (RVAP) in patients with pre-implant preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and a high burden of expected ventricular pacing due to atrioventricular conduction block (AV block). After informed consent signature, patients with high degree AV block and normal LVEF will be randomized to permanent pacemaker stimulation with CSP vs RVAP. All the patients have a complete evaluation before the procedure and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.
Quantitative Cardiac Parametric Mapping
CardiomyopathyMyocarditis1 moreThe overall goal of this project is to evaluate the clinical potential of fast quantitative myocardial tissue characterization using recently emerged Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) techniques to aid the diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of patients with myocardial diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and myocarditis.
Absolute Coronary Flow in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Left Bundle...
Left Bundle-Branch BlockHeart Failure2 moreCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients with LVEF of ≤35% and left bundle branch block (LBBB). However, approximately one-third of CRT-recipients do not improve after therapy (non-responders), despite meeting the required criteria. Previous studies have documented that the positive respons to CRT is related to the delayed electrical activation of the left ventricle in patients with LBBB. It has also been illustrated that non-ischemic CRT-candidates with LBBB demonstrate lower regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism in the septum. Additionally, it has been suggested that LBBB can lead to impaired coronary blood flow in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). This observation is based on an echocardiography-based study, that showed that the percentage of diastolic flow duration (%DD) in LAD was shorter in patients with LBBB compared to the control-group and patients with right-ventricular pacing. It has been demonstrated that CRT has positive effects on septal myocardial perfusion in patients with HF and LBBB. The dominant hypothesis explaining this phenomenon is built on improved septal myocardial work after CRT-implantation, which leads to increased myocardial energy and therefore increased myocardial perfusion. In contrast, it has been suggested that due to re-established synchronous left ventricular electrical activation, CRT reduces the septal intramyocardial pressure in early diastole, leading to a relatively longer antegrade flow duration in LAD. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of CRT on coronary blood flow in LAD in patients with non-ischemic HF and LBBB. The investigators hypothesize that increased LV-function after CRT not only is due to resynchronized LV ejection and filling, but also improved coronary flow. The study aims to enroll 60 patients with heart failure due to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, LBBB, with or without CRT. All patients meeting the criteria will be recruited from the outpatient clinic at the Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital. Invasive flow measurements in the LAD, including fractional flow reserve (FFR), absolute coronary flow and -reserve will be conducted with the CRT on and off, respectively.
Atrial Appendage Micrograft Transplants to Assist Heart Repair After Cardiac Surgery
Ischemic Heart DiseaseIschemic Cardiomyopathy6 moreIschemic heart disease (IHD) leads the global mortality statistics. Atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries hallmark IHD, drive hypoxia, and may rupture to result in myocardial infarction (MI) and death of contractile cardiac muscle, which is eventually replaced by a scar. Depending on the extent of the damage, dysbalanced cardiac workload often leads to emergence of heart failure (HF). The atrial appendages, enriched with active endocrine and paracrine cardiac cells, has been characterized to contain cells promising in stimulating cardiac regenerative healing. In this AAMS2 randomized controlled and double-blinded trial, we use the patient's own tissue from the right atrial appendage (RAA) for therapy. A piece from the RAA can be safely harvested upon the set-up of the heart and lung machine at the beginning of coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. In the AAMS2 trial, a piece of the RAA tissue is processed and utilized as epicardially transplanted atrial appendage micrografts (AAMs) for CABG-support therapy. In our preclinical evaluation, epicardial AAMs transplantation after MI attenuated scarring and improved cardiac function. Proteomics suggested an AAMs-induced glycolytic metabolism, a process associated with an increased regenerative capacity of myocardium. In an open-label clinical trial, we have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of AAMs therapy. Moreover, as this study suggested increased thickness of the viable myocardium in the scarred area, it also provided the first indication of therapeutic benefit. Based on randomization with estimated enrolment of a total of 50 patients with 1:1 group allocation ratio, the piece of RAA tissue is either perioperatively processed to AAMs or cryostored. The AAMs, embedded in a fibrin matrix gel, are placed on an extracellular matrix sheet (ECM), which is then epicardially sutured in place. The location is determined by preoperative late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-CMRI) to pinpoint the ischemic scar. Study blood samples, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and LGE-CMRI are performed before and at 6-month follow-up after the surgery. The trial's primary endpoints focus on changes in cardiac fibrosis as evaluated by LGE-CMRI and circulating levels of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Secondary endpoints center on other efficacy parameters, as well as both safety and feasibility of the therapy.