Re-Establishing Flow Via Drug Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Urethral Stricture Disease - Registry...
Urethral StrictureUrethral Stricture3 moreThe ROBUST IV study is designed to collect and better understand "real-world" outcomes for men undergoing urethral dilation using the Optilume Drug Coated Balloon (DCB) for treatment of urethral stricture.
Management of Symptomatic Gastric Sleeve Stenosis After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Gastric StenosisThe global obesity epidemic has led to increasing popularity of bariatric surgeries and a parallel rise in the prevalence of related complications. Gastric sleeve stenosis (GSS) complicates 0.1-3.9% of cases after Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) and can result in significant symptoms including nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, dysphagia, reflux and regurgitation. There is no validated algorithm for the management of GSS, and available literature is retrospective. The investigators hypothesize that the implementation of a predefined treatment algorithm for management of GSS post SG will effectively and safely manage patients with this condition. This single center, prospective, non-randomized pilot clinical trial to be performed at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes will describe the efficacy and safety of endoscopic pneumatic balloon dilation (PBD), gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for the management of post-LSG GSS using a predefined treatment algorithm. Patients with symptomatic, endoscopically or radiologically confirmed GSS greater than four weeks from laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) who are treatment naïve will be included. The primary outcome is the rate of clinical success, defined an improvement in symptoms that allowed the patient to avoid further intervention (outside of the predefined treatment algorithm) with a resumption of adequate oral intake and at least 1-point reduction in the Patient Assessment of upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) questionnaire, at 6 months following last intervention. Secondary outcomes include rates of technical success (completion of planned procedure), procedural success (defined as a 1-point reduction in PAGI-SYM score at 8 weeks following procedure), endoscopic and radiologic resolution of GSS-related findings, percentage of patients maintained off proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, time to recurrence of symptoms post-treatment in patients with recurrence, and rate of adverse events. The expected study population is 30 participants with a study duration of 18 months. This study can potentially validate a treatment algorithm, thereby assisting clinicians to select the most appropriate intervention for the treatment of post-LSG GSS. Moreover, it may help improve outcomes and prevent unnecessary procedures in patients with GSS.
Hemodynamic Comparison of Tissue Aortic Valves
Aortic Valve StenosisThe purpose of this study is to: Assess for hemodynamic differences at rest and with exercise between three clinically available tissue aortic valves. Assess for differences in left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (recovery of LV hypertrophy, and changes in LV systolic and diastolic function) after aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis (AS) between three clinically available aortic valve bioprosthesis.
Feasibility, Safety and Efficacy of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning for Symptomatic Intracranial...
Bilateral Limb Ischemic PreconditioningIntracranial Arterial StenosisMaking a limb transiently ischemic induces ischemic tolerance in distant organs such as the heart. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and initial efficacy of using briefly repetitive bilateral limb ischemic preconditioning (BLIPC) to protect the brain in octogenarians with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.
Cutting Balloon Study
Pulmonary Artery StenosisThe primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter Cutting Balloon therapy for branch pulmonary artery stenosis resistant to low pressure dilation.
Haemate HS in Patients With Severe Bleeding Undergoing Valve Replacement Due to Aortic Stenosis...
Blood LossSurgicalEvaluation of efficacy by determination of transfusion requirements and safety by determination of adverse events in administration of Von Willebrand factor concentrate F VIII (Haemate).
Efficacy and Safety of Stent Implantation in Symptomatic Extra- and Intracranial Artery Stenosis...
StrokeTransient Ischemic Attack3 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent implantation in patients with symptomatic extra- and intracranial artery stenosis and to determine its role in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.
Efficacy of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Following aortIc Valve Intervention for Aortic STenOsis:...
Aortic Valve StenosisValsartan5 moreAortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent valvular heart disease in Western countries, with increasing prevalence. Recent guidelines recommend aortic valve intervention (surgical aortic valve replacement [SAVR] or transcatheter aortic valve replacement [TAVR]) in severe AS, as soon as symptoms or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction occur, in order to improve clinical outcome and achieve LV mass (LVM) regression. The highest amount of LVM regression is obtained during the first year. Nevertheless, there is heterogeneity in LV remodeling and residual LV hypertrophy is associated with poorer postoperative improvement in cardiac function and morphology. Incomplete regression of LV hypertrophy at 12 months after SAVR is a powerful predictor of adverse outcome. Yet, the use of specific pharmacological therapy to improve postoperative LVM regression could be an appealing therapeutic option after aortic valve intervention. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (RAASb) and more particularly angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) are efficient in reducing LVM in hypertensive patients, as emphasized by several meta-analyses. In addition, ARBs improve myocardial relaxation, diastolic function, decreased hypertrophy and may have anti-fibrotic effects. In a recent retrospective study from our group, RAASb prescription after SAVR was associated with increased survival, but confirmation through a randomized trial is mandatory. In a prospective randomized single-center study, the use of candesartan was associated both with LV and LA remodeling as compared to the conventional management. Nevertheless, these results are based on echocardiographic data, which is not the gold standard for the assessment cardiac remodeling, and no placebo or active comparator was tested to control the impact of ARBs in these patients. The primary objective of this Phase II study is to investigate the efficacy of valsartan, introduced postoperatively, as compared to placebo, on 1-year changes in indexed LVM, as assessed by CMR, in patients undergoing aortic valve intervention (SAVR or TAVR) for AS. The secondary objectives are to compare the efficacy of valsartan vs. placebo in terms of one-year changes (difference from baseline) in cardiac function and in cardiac morphology, one-year exercise capacity and one-year changes in biomarkers related to cardiac function. In addition, the assessment of the safety of valsartan will also be considered as secondary objective. The ARISTOTE trial is a multicenter prospective phase II, randomized, double-blind study including patients with the diagnosis of severe AS and indication for valve intervention. The active treatment is valsartan, an orally active, potent, and specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Patients will be randomized between 2 groups (valsartan versus placebo) and the treatment will be initiated (80 mg daily) at 5±4 days following aortic valve intervention. The comparative treatment will be a placebo; tablets of valsartan and placebo have a similar appearance and administration mode. Patient in the control group will receive a placebo using the same protocol as the valsartan group. The patients will be cautiously monitored and any adverse events will be collected. The dose will be increased at 160 mg daily 13±2 days after aortic valve intervention and, if well tolerated, for the remaining period of the study. The tolerance will be regularly assessed and dose adjusted according to a pre-specified algorithm.
Hypoxic Preconditioning on Patients
Hypoxic PreconditioningCarotid Artery Stenosis1 moreThe purpose of this study is to study the effects of intermittent whole-body hypoxic preconditioning on patients with carotid artery stenosis.
Focused Spinal Stenosis Rehabilitation Program for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis LumbarLumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication is a common condition in the elderly population and is characterized by bilateral buttock, thigh, or calf discomfort and/or pain, as well as by weakness precipitated by walking and prolonged standing. Self-management options include physical therapy, which includes exercise as a core component for improving the flexibility and mobility of the spine and hips. A Williams flexion protocol has historically been used to treat low-back pain following degenerative changes to the posterior elements of the lumbar spine. However, few studies have been done to validate the efficacy of this protocol. A more focused treatment protocol may be more efficacious. Patients in this study will be randomized to receive either the generic physical therapy protocol (15 sessions) or the focused rehabilitation program (5 sessions). The sessions will take place over the course of 6 months. Outcomes will be assessed using validated questionnaires and physical function tests.