Removable GORE VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for Treatment of Benign Biliary Strictures
Biliary StricturesThe purpose of this study is to generate clinical data to support the use of GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis in the endoscopic and percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures.
SEA-SIDE: Sirolimus Versus Everolimus-eluting Stent Randomized Assessment in Bifurcated Lesions...
Coronary Artery DiseaseCoronary StenosisBACKGROUND: Bifurcated lesions are a challenging subset in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The selection of the type of DES and the technique for stent implantation have not been clarified. The side-branch (SB) is emerging as critical point, accounting for more than a third of the significant restenosis in the DES era. A series of data supports the adoption of a conservative strategy: stenting the main vessel (MV) only and reserving a conservative approach on the SB. Yet, the clinical relevance in terms of inducible ischemia of sub-optimal angiographic result has not been clarified. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aims of the present study are: to compare in a prospective randomized study the acute 3D angiographic results and the late clinical outcome of Sirolimus-eluting (SES) vs Everolimus-eluting stent (EES) obtained using a provisional TAP-stenting technique. to prospectively assess the clinical relevance (inducible ischemia) of suboptimal angiographic result in the SB after stenting. METHODS TO BE APPLIED: 150 consecutive patients with bifurcated lesions undergoing PCI with the provisional TAP-stenting technique will be randomized to SES or EES implantation. Procedural and post-PCI details will be prospectively recorded. The subgroup of patients in which complete revascularization has been achieved will enter a systematic assessment of inducible ischemia by early and late exercise tests. Off line 3D QCA assessment will be performed and used to divide the study population in 2 groups according to the SB residual stenosis: Group O (optimal SB angiographic result): post-PCI SB area stenosis<50% Group S (sub-optimal SB angiographic result): post-PCI SB area stenosis>50%. PRIMARY STUDY END-POINTS. COMPARISON BETWEEN SES AND EES: SB acute angiographic result; SB trouble; target bifurcation failure. SB-RELATED ISCHAEMIA of Group O vs Group S in patients with complete revascularization: inducible ischemia at the early exercise test or occurrence of early spontaneous ischemia related to the SB.
Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Sildenafil in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis
Aortic StenosisPulmonary hypertension is common in patients with aortic stenosis and is associated with worse operative and long-term outcomes. Sildenafil has been shown to reduce pulmonary artery pressure and improve exercise performance in patients with left-sided heart failure, but this has not been tested in patients with aortic stenosis. We hypothesize that Sildenafil will produce a clinically significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The dose of Sildenafil that produces a significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure will be safe and well tolerated in patients with and without a depressed ejection fraction.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Pyloromyotomy for Infants With Idiopathic Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis...
Hypertrophic Pyloric StenosisPyloric stenosis is a condition that develops in infants and that leads to an obstruction of the channel going out of the stomach. This study is being performed to determine if there is an advantage to the laparoscopic approach or the open approach for the surgical correction of the enlarged pylorus.
Endoscopic Stenting in Crohn Related Strictures
Intestinal Strictures Related to Crohn´s DiseaseProspective, randomized-controlled trial comparing self-expandable metal stent versus ballon dialtation only for the endoscopic treatment of benign strictures related to Crohn´s disease.
ATTR Amyloidosis in Elderly Patients With Aortic Stenosis
Aortic Stenosis SymptomaticAmyloidosis CardiacSevere aortic stenosis is defined with a mean transvalvular pressure gradient (MTPG) > 40mmHg and a calculated aortic valve area of < 1cm2. However, a considerable proportion of patients do have a MTPG < 40mmHg due to a reduced stroke volume (stroke volume indexed to body surface area ≤ 35ml/m2) despite a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF > 50%). This entity is termed paradoxical low flow low gradient aortic stenosis (PLFLG AS) and is associated with a worse prognosis. ATTR amyloidosis is a disease of the elderly and might coexist in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Case reports and small observational studies suggest that senile ATTR amyloidosis could be frequent but underdiagnosed in patients with aortic stenosis. There is significant overlap between PLFLG AS and cardiac amyloidosis with regard to symptoms, increasing prevalence with age, concentric hypertrophy, impaired diastolic filling of the left ventricle (LV), as well as longitudinal LV dysfunction despite preserved ejection fraction - all features, which lead to a reduction in stroke volume, the underlying mechanism of the low flow condition as observed in PLFLG AS patients.
Early Surgery Versus Conventional Treatment in Very Severe Aortic Stenosis
Aortic StenosisThe optimal timing of surgical intervention remains controversial in asymptomatic patients with very severe aortic stenosis. The investigators therefore try to compare long-term clinical outcomes of early surgery with those of conventional treatment strategy in a prospective randomized trial.
TweeSteden Mild Stenosis Study
Coronary Artery DiseaseNon-significant Coronary Artery Disease2 morePsychosocial factors have been found to be associated with an increased risk for coronary artery disease incidence, progression and worse clinical outcomes. Patients with non-significant coronary artery disease (confirmed vascular irregularities, but <60% coronary occlusion) often present with complaints such as chest pain, which warrant screening by coronary angiography (CAG) or computed tomography (CT scan). The prognosis of this group of patients with mild stenosis remains to be investigated in more detail, and we propose that psychosocial factors play a role in the clinical prognosis and patient reported outcomes in this group. A special focus lies within examining personality characteristics, of which Type D personality is a primary predictor variable for prognosis. Type D personality is characterised by high negative affect and high social inhibition. In addition to psychosocial factors (personality, mood state, social support, SES), biomarkers(inflammation, clotting, DNA) as well as standard clinical risk factors (metabolic syndrome, activity level, smoking, medication use, disease severity) will be investigated. The goal of the proposed study is to investigate a preexisting psycho-biochemical risk profile for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and patient perceived symptoms in a group with angiographically or CT-scan confirmed, non-significant coronary artery disease.
Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Conservative Treatment in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis
Aortic StenosisWhether to intervene in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and normal left ventricular ejection fraction remains controversial. The investigators therefore try to compare clinical outcomes of elective aortic valve replacement to conventional treatment and watchful waiting strategy in a prospective randomized trial.
Aortic Stenosis: Determinants and Prognostic Value of Preoperative Left Ventricular Remodeling After...
Aortic Valve StenosisAortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent valvulopathy in Western countries. The prevalence of AS is constantly increasing due to the aging of the population. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of AS, there is no medical treatment to slow or prevent its progression. The only treatment available is Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) performed by surgery or by catheterization (TAVI). AS is associated with an increase of post-load which leads the left ventricular myocardium to hypertrophy. Associated with hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis will gradually develop. Despite interesting data, many unknowns persist and remain to be identified. The aim of the study is to characterize prospectively the left ventricular remodeling and assess its changes after AVR and within 1 year in 500 patients using clinical, biological, echocardiographic and MRI parameters.