Active clinical trials for "Constriction, Pathologic"

Degenerative lumbar spine disease is a leading cause of disability in the world; it encompasses conditions such as spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Those conditions present with a variety of clinical symptoms, including lower extremity pain, weakness, and low back pain (LBP) of varying levels of severity and in severe cases urine and stool incontinence may result.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the ACURATE Neo2 in the Middle East population with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Maxillary expansion is associated with varying degrees of pain and functional impairments. The current study aims to compare rapid maxillary expansion using a McNamara-type (bonded) appliance and slow maxillary expansion using a removable palatal expansion appliance concerning patient-centered outcomes. Those outcomes will include pain and discomfort, mastication difficulties, swallowing difficulties, and pressure on the soft tissues.

To detect short-term impacts of successful balloon mitral valvuloplasty on right ventricular function

The purpose of this research is to find out if there are inflammatory biomarkers (also known as biological markers) in epidural space that can predict response to an epidural steroid injection. This study will also be evaluating whether the results of an EMG study (also known as electromyography) can predict the response to an epidural steroid injection.

Aortic stenosis is a condition whereby one of the heart valves (aortic valve) becomes narrowed, due to calcium deposition, over time. This can lead to chest pain, heart failure and sudden death. It is the commonest valve disease requiring surgery in the developed world and as the population becomes increasingly older, it is predicted that the prevalence of aortic stenosis will double in the next 20 years. Currently the only treatment is replacement of the aortic valve. Whilst this is excellent treatment, not everyone is suitable for it. The primary objective of our study is to determine whether 2 drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis (a condition of bone thinning) can halt/retard the progression of aortic stenosis. This is on the basis that studies have suggested that altered regulation of calcium metabolism may be an important mechanism perpetuating the disease. Both drugs work by reducing calcium release into the bloodstream from bones and therefore calcification of the aortic valve. 150 patients will therefore be randomly allocated to either of the trial drugs which are denosumab,the bisphosphonate (alendronic acid), or a placebo. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning is a technique where biochemically active molecules are injected and are taken up at sites of ongoing calcification activity where they emit radiation and can be detected by the PET scanner. We have previously shown that this technique can demonstrate areas of newly developing calcification on an aortic valve. We therefore propose that patients receiving bisphosphonates or denosumab will have reduced evidence of active calcification and slower progression of their disease at two years as assessed by Echocardiography (ultrasound) and a change in their calcium score (quantity of calcium on the aortic valve measured using Computed Tomography [CT] ). The data from this study will then be used to design a larger trial.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the HLT System in patients with severe aortic stenosis who present at High Risk for aortic valve replacement surgery.

Ambulation following surgery has been found to be beneficial for patients; however, nurses and doctors struggle with getting post-operative, hospitalized patients to walk on their own. One promising strategy to address this might be an ambulation orderly, an employee whose single responsibility is to assure that patients walk 3-4 times per day. However, the effect of the ambulation orderly on post-operative physical activity has not yet been described. It is important to quantify what the ambulation orderly does in order to assess if this is an effective method for helping patients walk. As a result, the investigators will perform a pilot randomized controlled trial to test the effects of an ambulation orderly in patients hospitalized with recent cardiac surgery. Half of the patients will be assigned to walk with the ambulation orderly 3-4 times/day and the control group will be given standard nursing encouragement and assistance and encouragement to walk. The investigators will evaluate the average total daily step counts (over the hospital course, usually 4-7 days) and the change in walking distance between a baseline and a final 6 minute walk test. The investigators will also evaluate exercise physiologic parameters (heart rate, oxygen saturation) during ambulation, patient functional independence, and patient satisfaction.

Degenerative Lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) is a major problem for public health and the primary reason the older seek lumbar spine surgery. Acupuncture is safe and maybe effective for DLSS but the evidence is poor. Therefore, an objective assessment of acupuncture efficacy is critical for making informed decisions about its appropriate role for patients. A total of 80 participants meet prior inclusion criteria will be recruited. The participants will be allocated to acupuncture group or placebo needle (unpenetrated acupuncture) group randomly. Twenty-four treatments will be provided over 8 weeks. The primary change of Modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and secondary outcomes including the change of Number Rating Scale (NRS); the change of Self-paced Walking test (SPWT); the change of Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire (SSSQ); the expectations that acupuncture might help participants with DLSS. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, and/or after 4, 8, 20 and 32 weeks. Statistical analysis will include independent sample t-test, Chi-squared test and non-parametric test. The investigators hope the result of this trial will clarify the value of acupuncture for DLSS and help clinicians make proper decisions.

The ABSORB III RCT is a prospective randomized, single-blind, multi-center trial. It is the pivotal trial to support the US pre-market approval (PMA) of Absorb™ Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS). The ABSORB III includes additional two trials i.e. ABSORB III PK (pharmacokinetics) sub-study and ABSORB IV RCT trial which are maintained under one protocol because both trial designs are related, ABSORB IV is the continuation of ABSORB III and the data from ABSORB III and ABSORB IV will be pooled to support the ABSORB IV primary endpoint. Both the trials will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Absorb BVS.