Active clinical trials for "Myocardial Ischemia"

The objective of this study is to compare a standard coronary CT angiography scan protocol with conventional image reconstruction with a scan protocol using reduced tube current and a new image reconstruction algorithm. The investigators hypothesize that the image quality of the new scan protocol is not inferior, while radiation dose estimates are reduced by around 30%. Secondary endpoints of the study include quantitative image quality parameters, prevalence of non-diagnostic studies, prevalence of coronary artery plaques and plaque characteristics (calcified, non-calcified, mixed) and prevalence of follow-up examinations.

Viability assessment remains a clinical challenge in patient with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Several imaging modalities are available for evaluating myocardial viability, based either on perfusion or on contractile reserve analysis. Briefly, perfusion analysis is highly sensitive and contractile reserve highly specific. A combined analysis of both perfusion and contractile reserve has been proposed to improve the diagnostic accuracy in patient referred for a revascularization procedure. However, the value of this combined analysis has not been validated in unselected patients referred for viability assessment. The patients enrolled in the study will undergo a nitrate enhanced rest gated SPECT using a Tc-99m labeled tracer (sestamibi or tetrofosmine) followed by a second gated SPECT acquired during a low-dose dobutamine infusion (10 mcg/kg/mn). All patients will have a 6-month clinical and imaging follow-up, including physical examination and a nitrate enhanced rest gated SPECT using the same radiopharmaceutical. All treatments received during this 6-month period will be recorded, including medical therapy and coronary revascularization (angioplasty, stenting and CABG). Finally, the value of baseline perfusion and contractile reserve analysis in predicting left ventricular ejection fraction changes at 6-month follow-up will be evaluated.

To determine the factors associated with progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis and to evaluate the associations between the progression of sub-clinical atherosclerosis and the development of clinically manifest atherosclerosis.

The purpose of this study is to answer, among others, the following questions: 1) What are the outcomes when using the radial artery as a bypass graft in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)? 2) Can multidetector computed tomography (CT) be used to reliably evaluate coronary artery bypass graft patency?

To conduct a multicenter prevalence survey for characterizing pathologically the extent of atherosclerosis in the aortas and coronary arteries of young persons dying from accidental causes, suicide, or homicide.

To determine the predictors of perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality in patients at high risk who underwent major noncardiac surgery with general anesthesia.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The illicit use of these substances also leads to a remarkable decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) plasma concentration, which could be a key factor in the atherosclerotic process. The investigators tested the functionality of HDL by cholesterol efflux and antioxidant capacity and its association with CAD in young men.

Myocardial injury is common in patients without acute coronary syndrome, and therefore international guidelines propose a classification of patients with myocardial infarction by aetiology. This differentiates between myocardial infarction due to plaque rupture (type 1) and myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance (type 2) in other acute illnesses. However, these guidelines have not been widely adopted as the diagnostic criteria for type 2 myocardial infarction are not clearly defined. Patients with type 2 myocardial infarction have poor long term outcomes, with at least twice the mortality at five years compared to those with an index type 1 myocardial infarction. Despite the majority of deaths being attributable to non-cardiovascular events, the rate of future type 1 myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death is similar regardless of index classification. If this future risk is related to the presence of underlying coronary artery disease, then there may be the potential to improve outcomes through targeted investigation and secondary prevention. The investigators will undertake a systematic evaluation of the mechanism of myocardial injury and the role of coronary artery disease in 100 patients with elevated cardiac troponin concentrations where the diagnosis is likely to be type 2 myocardial infarction. These studies will help improve the assessment of patients with myocardial injury, refine the diagnostic criteria for type 2 myocardial infarction, and aid the design of future therapeutic trials.

Observational, prospective multicentric, national study, evaluating the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of patient with cronic coronary artery disease followed in Italian cardiology centers.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Europe and worldwide. In 2014, they led to more than 4 million deaths in Europe, and coronary heart disease alone accounts for nearly 1.8 million deaths, or 20% of all deaths in Europe. However, mortality from cardiovascular disease and, especially, coronary heart disease has declined in recent decades. This has been made possible by improving the quality of care provided to patients. Several studies have been conducted to demonstrate this improvement in the quality of care, but they mainly measure the functional results of treatment, morbidity and mortality, survival and prolongation of life. However, patient-centered outcomes such as health-related quality of life outcomes (such as mental function, ability to resume activities of daily living, social relationship) are also considered important outcomes in the management and monitoring of these diseases. Some studies have shown that, even when other risks factors are controlled, a poor quality of life related to health is a prediction factor for morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. Some studies have suggested that health-related quality of life should be strongly associated with lifestyle, co-morbidities, and mental function. Some factors have been identified as factors that may affect the quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease, including depression, anxiety, dyspnea and angina pectoris. Depression and anxiety were negatively associated with health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease. As for dyspnea, it has been shown that in stable patients who have had a myocardial infarction, its increase at 1 month after initiation of treatment is strongly associated with a decrease in the quality of life and with an increased risk of re-hospitalization and death. It is therefore important to measure these factors when the quality of life is assessed in patients with coronary heart disease. The importance of assessing quality of life is that the clinician and the patient often have different concerns: what the clinician considers to be a "successful procedure" is not always considered as such by the patient. Results related to quality of life (results rarely evaluated) are among the results that really interest the patient. Indeed, many patients consider the quality of additional years of life acquired as important as the lifespan, so the goal of today's medicine is to improve the quantity and quality of life of the additional years of life acquired. To ensure this improvement, the assessment of health-related quality of life should be integrated into the daily clinical practice of coronary heart disease management. The objective of our study is to evaluate the feasibility of this practice throughout the traject of care, by using several standardized questionnaires.