Active clinical trials for "Constriction, Pathologic"

Mild valvar pulmonary stenosis can be detected in 1/10,000 live births. Historical data suggested that most of these patients do well. Nonetheless, the majority of these patients is followed periodically by a pediatric cardiologist and may undergo repeated echocardiographic studies to follow the gradient. Such follow-up can be costly and it is not know if there is any benefit to periodic evaluation.

Two thirds of patients with Crohn's disease require intestinal surgery at some time in their life. Intestinal strictures, that is narrowing of the bowel due to inflammation and scarring, are the most common reason for surgery. Despite the high frequency, associated disability, and cost there are no are no treatment strategies that aim to improve the outcome of this disease complication. The STRIDENT (stricture definition and treatment) studies aim to determine biochemical and imaging features associated with the development of strictures and in related STRIDENT studies develop strategies for treatment.

The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of a new non-invasive device, the Carotid Stenotic Scan (CSS), to check for stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) as compared to a carotid ultrasound study.

Prospective, single center, descriptive study in 14 infants/children with multivessel pulmonary vein stenosis stratified for patients with or without underlying cardiac disease. Group 1: Patients without additional structural heart disease and multivessel pulmonary vein stenosis. Group 2: Patients with additional structural heart disease and multivessel pulmonary vein stenosis.

In this study it is aimed to determine the diagnostic value of physiological measurements in the presence of aortic stenosis, and whether these are more accurate than angiographic assessment. Post-TAVR FFR will be taken as the reference for predicting ischemic lesions, and angiography and physiology - FFR and diastolic pressure ratio (dPR) - will be performed immediately before and after TAVR, in an all-comer multicentric observational study.

Our ultimate goal is to design a multi-center randomized trial to test the hypothesis that targeted testing for transthyretin cardiac amyloid (ATTR) will improve survival and health status among aortic stenosis patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The hypothesis of this pilot study is to evaluate if invasive cardiac hemodynamics obtained after TAVR, by using the AortoVentricular index (AVi), can be used as a novel test to help identify participants with ATTR. Aim 1. To determine if an abnormal AVi value can identify ATTR among aortic stenosis patients undergoing TAVR. Aim 2. To determine if s' from echocardiography plus AVi can enhance the prediction of ATTR among aortic stenosis patients undergoing TAVR. Aim 3. To design a pilot trial to improve patient outcomes after TAVR by targeted testing for ATTR.

Our hypothesis is that a plasma protein named osteopontin (OPN) could serve as a biological predictive marker of acute AVF dysfunction. In several scientific studies, plasma OPN was correlated with coronary stent restenosis, and with cardiovascular outcome in patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency. This protein is secreted by several cellular types, like distal tubule epithelial cells, macrophages, but also fibroblasts and cardiac and vascular endothelial cells, in response to several specific stimuli. It acts like a cytokine, inducing immunological mechanisms as well as tissue remodeling. The main objective of this study is to show that the amount of plasma OPN is higher in patients presenting with an AVF stenosis, compared with patients with a functioning AVF. OSMOSIS is a monocentric pilot study that will include patients into two groups during 12 months (no specific follow-up). The control group will include patients that have been dialyzed on an AVF, in the dialysis center of Nice University Hospital, for at least 3 months without any incident. The experimental group will include hemodialysis patients hospitalized in the department of vascular surgery for acute AVF dysfunction, needing endovascular or open surgical revision for venous stenosis. Blood will be withdrawn right before dialysis or surgical procedure. Plasma OPN will me measured by ELISA. Their clinical data would be collected from medical file at the same time. After the procedure, patients will be followed-up according to usual protocols. To show a significant difference of 100ng/mL plasma OPN between the two groups, with a power of 90% and alpha risk of 0.05, we plan to include 76 patients

Successful palliation of biliary obstruction is the main goal for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with biliary disease and biliary obstruction related to cholangiocarcinoma. Surgical intervention for the sale is unfortunately complicated by a 30-day postoperative mortality rate of between 7 and 24%. Moreover, because of recovery time the quality of life following surgery is only improved in a minority. At present endoscopic insertion of a plastic or metal stent is the method of choice to relieve obstructive jaundice without the high morbidity and mortality associated with surgery. But this relief is unfortunately temporary since stents tend to become obstructed and the fact that effective biliary drainage in the proximal lesion is challenging. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a new therapeutic approach that specifically targets neoplastic cells. This therapy involves the intravenous administration of a photosensitizing agent followed by activation of the agent by illumination with non-thermal light of a specific wavelength, resulting in cell death from direct cytotoxicity and ischemic necrosis. A randomized controlled trial study by Ortner et all confirmed the significant advantage of PDT with regard to relief of jaundice, quality of life, and survival. In photodynamic therapy (PDT) the uniform distribution of externally applied light is desirable but often difficult to achieve. An optical fiber tip producing cylindrical or lateral light emission can facilitate the application of laser energy by direct implantation of the tip into solid tumors. However, currently used FDA approved glass diffusers used in standard of care PDT might break in the bile ducts causing injury since they are not meant to be used within bile ducts through an endoscope or choledochoscope. Hence, there is a need to evaluate and introduce more efficient and safe non-glass cylindrical optic fiber diffuser for photo dynamic therapy in the bile ducts. Recent studies have shown that the Pioneer plastic optic diffuser is safe and effective in photodynamic therapy, it can be also used via a choledochoscope. We aim to add to the clinical evidence by conducting an open label observational study trial using this fiber optic diffuser during photo dynamic therapy in the bile ducts.

The study presents an alternative method of tracheal dilatation in pediatric patients with acquired tracheal stenosis. Dilatation is performed by the use of balloon catheter connected with manometer, that is bronchoscopic guided into trachea in the stenotic area, through the wide canal of supraglottic device i-Gel. Every dilatation cession consists of three consequent tracheal balloon dilatations of maximum 3 minutes duration each, followed by 10-15minutes interval of controlled ventilation. The balloon is inflated for 60 seconds to reach predefined pressure, and then deflated. This method is minimal traumatic for tracheal mucosa, and application of several dilatation procedures every 2-3months, in pediatric patients with acquired tracheal stenosis, may lead to a relative reopening of trachea and recession of clinical symptoms.For the right performance of the dilatation procedure, patients receive general anesthesia with cessation of spontaneous ventilation. During procedure, controlled ventilation-oxygenation is impossible, because the i-Gel canal is occupied by bronchoscope and balloon catheter, so patients will remain apneic for a short period of time. For pediatric patients is important to perform proper preoxygenation prior to procedure, and to maintain oxygenation as long as possible during procedure. This is achieved by application of apneic oxygenation, through a small catheter, connected to high flow oxygen. Participants are exposed during first dilation to no oxygenation, while during second and third dilatation to apneic oxygenation. Aim of the study is to investigate primarily whether application of apneic oxygenation, in pediatric patients during tracheal balloon dilatation, maintains regional cerebral oxygen saturation rSO2 in significant higher levels, compared with no application of oxygenation. rSO2 levels are a sensitive index of oxygenation efficacy of the brain, accordingly this refers to a safe procedure. Secondary issues are whether application of apneic oxygenation maintains pulse oximetry SpO2 and artierial oxygen partial pressure PaO2 in higher levels, and what are the effects on arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure PaCO2 and on haemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure), compared with no application of apneic oxygenation.

Primary Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of cholangioscopy-based assessment using SpyDS technology compared to cholangiography-based assessment using ERCP-guided biopsy and brushing in patients with indeterminate biliary strictures in the setting of cholangiocarcinoma.