Active clinical trials for "Myocardial Infarction"

This study investigates hypothesizes that the combination of dobutamine stress echocardiography with dobutamine stress echocardiography with real time perfusion myocardial contrast echocardiography and coronary computed tomography is a better modality for detecting coronary artery disease in end-stage renal disease patients than coronary angiography, and in predicting patient outcomes. Demonstrating this would lead to increased use of DSE with RTCE and coronary CT at kidney transplant centers throughout the nation, leading to improved anatomical and functional detection of CAD without the need for further invasive procedures.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Balloon angioplasty and stent placement are two treatment options for people with reduced heart function caused by CAD. This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures to evaluate heart function over time in people with CAD who have undergone a balloon angioplasty or stent placement procedure.

Options for coronary revascularization include stent implantation and coronary bypass surgery. Both modalities have their unique advantages and disadvantages in terms of clinical outcomes as well as financial impact on the medical system. We wish to investigate the late results of patients undergoing coronary revascularization, the need for re-hospitalization, re-intervention, patient satisfaction as well as the financial burden on the medical system. The study will be conducted by historical prospective review of hospital records in conjunction with records of the medical insurance companies ("HMO's").

We will conduct a prospective cohort study evaluating the incidence of and optimal risk estimation model for major perioperative cardiovascular events in consecutive patients undergoing noncardiac surgery at the 'Herlev University Hospital'. This national pilot study in Denmark together with other national studies will inform the feasibility of a large prospective international cohort study.

To assess interactions between selected cardiovascular medications and genes in the incidence of heart attack, stroke, and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat.

To investigate hemostatic variables in relation to cardiovascular risk in the Framingham Offspring Study cohort.

To investigate stroke risk using the National Academy of Sciences Twin Registry.

To identify the role of salt-sensitivity of blood pressure in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

This study will explore new ways of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the heart and blood vessels of patients with cardiovascular disease, including better detection of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and blockage of heart and leg arteries. Patients 18 years of age and older with cardiovascular disease may be eligible for this study. All participants will have magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table surrounded by a metal cylinder (the scanner). A 'gadolinium contrast' material may be injected into the patient s vein during part of the study to brighten the images. Patients wear earplugs during the scan to muffle loud knocking sounds caused by the electrical switching of the magnetic fields. They will be asked to hold their breath intermittently for 5 to 20 seconds during the scan. They will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG) during the procedure and will be in contact by intercom at all times with the person performing the scan. Patients can request to stop the study and come out of the scanner at any time. The procedure may last from 30 to 90 minutes. An echocardiogram a test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart and blood vessels-may be done to confirm the MRI findings. In addition, patients may undergo one or more of the following optional studies: Dobutamine stress MRI - This test uses dobutamine-a medicine that simulates exercise by increasing heart rate and heart function-to detect blockages in the coronary arteries (vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart) and locate areas of the heart that are permanently damaged, perhaps by a previous heart attack. For this test, MRI pictures of the heart are taken before, during and after administration of dobutamine. Gadolinium may be injected during part of the study to brighten the images. An EKG will be used to monitor the heart during the procedure. Vasodilator MRI - The procedure and objectives of this test are the same as those described for dobutamine stress MRI, except that this study uses dipyridamole or adenosine. These drugs dilate blood vessels, causing increased blood flow to the heart. Plethysmography MRI - This test determines the presence and severity of narrowing in arteries that supply blood to the leg. Blockage of these vessels often causes pain while walking. This study will compare plethysmography MRI with venous occlusion plethysmography, an older method of measuring blood flow in the legs. For venous occlusion plethysmography, a large blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper leg and a strain gauge (thin elastic band) is placed around the calf. The pressure cuff is inflated very tightly for 5 minutes to block blood flow to the leg, and another pressure cuff over the ankle is also inflated. When the large cuff is deflated, blood rushes to the leg, a smaller cuff is inflated to a low pressure, and the strain gauge measures the maximum blood flow to the leg for 1 or 2 more minutes. This procedure is done once or twice outside the MRI scanner and once or twice inside the scanner. The scans are performed as described above for the dobutamine and vasodilator studies. The strain gauge is not used for plethysmography MRI the MRI pictures are used to measure flow.

Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction has been known to be prevalent even after successful revascularization of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, and has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis. Angiography derived index of micro-circulatory resistance (Angio-IMR) is a novel pressure-wire free approach to assess coronary microvascular disease with great diagnostic performance. The current study will further investigate the prognostic value of Angio-IMR in patients with AMI in multicenter retrospective cohort.