Active clinical trials for "Vascular Calcification"

Arterial calcifications (AC) are constant lesions in patients with Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD). Renal transplantation would reduce their progression compared to dialysis. AC pathophysiology is a complex and finely regulated process that involves many local and systemic factors, both pro- and anti-calcification. The progression of the CKD is accompanied by an increase in phosphate levels as the renal excretion capacity of inorganic phosphates (Pi) decreases while their digestive absorption remains unchanged. Hyperphosphatremia is a well-identified calcifying factor contributing to ACs in the CKD. On the other hand, pyrophosphate (PPi) is an anti-calcifying factor from the hydrolysis of extracellular ATP by ectonucleotidases. While there are many factors that may contribute to a protective effect against AC progression of renal transplantation, no study has been yet analysed the role of PPi. Plasma concentration of PPi is decreased in dialysis patients compared to non-kidney failure patients. The main objective of this monocentric, prospective and interventional pilot study will be to compare the progression of CA and [PPi]pl between a group of renal transplant patients over the past 24 months and a group of dialysis patients over the same period of time. The secondary objectives will be to compare the progression of ACs and the ratio[PPi]pl/[Pi]pl between transplanted and dialysis patients. Transplanted patients will be included within 24 (±3) months of transplant. Dialysis patients will be included at 24 (±3) months of the CT scan performed during the pre-transplant check-up. At inclusion, all patients will benefit from a CT scan without injection and a plasma dose of PPi, Pi and other factors involved in controlling calcification.

study the effect of omega 3fatty acids on the vascular calcification biomarkers Fetuin -A and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) in dialysis patients.

The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of fish oil supplement (containing parts of omega-3 fatty acids) on inflammation. The investigators are aiming to identify which dose of the fish oil supplement is the most effective. The name of the fish oil supplement is "SPM Emulsion."

Vascular calcification (VC) is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from severe vascular calcifications. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a central calcification inhibitor of the arterial wall and its activity depends on vitamin K-dependent γ-glutamate carboxylation. Noncarboxylated MGP, formed as a result of vitamin K deficiency, is associated with cardiovascular disease. Recent studies pointed towards poor vitamin K status in HD patients. We therefore aim to investigate whether daily vitamin K2 (MK-7) supplementation improves the bioactivity of vitamin K-dependent proteins in HD patients as assessed by circulating dephospho-noncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), noncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and noncarboxylated prothrombin (ucFII; PIVKA-II).

Active vitamin D at therapeutic dose may prevent vascular calcification but in supraphysiologic dose may precipitate it.

Hyperphosphatemia is frequently seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Hyperphosphatemia usually results in a high calcium-phosphorus product (CPP) which may subsequently lead to artery and become a risk factor of cardiovascular complications. Alendronate, due to its effect of inhibiting osteoclasts, is approved for treatment of osteoporosis. Previous reports found the use of bisphosphonates could suppress arterial calcification in hemodialysis dialysis patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of alendronate to suppress coronary artery and aortic calcifications, as well as to improve bone density in chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study will include ESRD patients who had received maintenance PD for more than 3 months, have high CPP level (≧55), and have chest X-ray proven aortic calcification or coronary artery calcification. All participants are randomly allocated to either group 1 or group 2. Group 1 patients receive alendronate 70 mg once weekly in the first 16 weeks, while group 2 patients receive the same dose of drug every week in the second 16 weeks. The extent of coronary artery and aortic calcification is evaluated by using multi-detector spiral computed tomography, whereas bone mineral density is measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both examinations are performed at week 0, 16 and 32 for each participant. Laboratory studies and possible adverse reactions were regularly monitored. We expect that alendronate can alleviate the progression of arterial calcification or even improve it. Bone density may also be improved after treatment. Besides, we wish to find the independent factor(s) influencing the efficacy of alendronate. These results may help clinical physicians for early intervention and prevention of cardiovascular complications in ESRD patients.

Aim: To investigate whether cholecalciferol (4800 U/daily) or placebo for 16 weeks reduces proteins levels associated with vascular calcification (osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, osteocalcin) in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis and 25(OH) vitamin D deficiency.

This study examines patients on chronic hemodialysis with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, who have a CHA2DS2-VASc Score of ≥ 2 and therefore are candidates for or already receive a vitamin K antagonist. The first question is whether replacement of the vitamin K antagonist by rivaroxaban is able to slow progression of vascular calcification. The second question is whether addition of vitamin K2 to rivaroxaban can further slow down or even halt the progression of vascular calcification.

This study aims at finding the optimal dose of Vitamin K2 supplementation in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy (GACI) is a very rare disorder. It can be fatal before birth or by age 6 months. Anumber of people with GACI survive into adulthood. Those adults suffer from side effects of the disease, including rickets. It is unknown how common the disease Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 2 (ARHR2) is. It also has side effects. GACI and ARHR2 are usually caused by the mutations in the same gene. There are no approved treatments for the two diseases. Researchers want to study people with these diseases and their family members. This may help understand these rare and unique diseases better. The data could lead to new treatments for GACI and ARHR2. Objectives: To better understand the progression of GACI and ARHR2 and how genes might play a role in them. Eligibility: People with GACI or ARHR2, both living and deceased, and their parents and siblings. Design: Participants will allow researchers to access their medical records. They will give this consent by mail, email, or fax. Data will be taken from the records. Participants names will not be used. Instead, they will be identified by a code. Participants may give a blood sample. If a participant withdraws from the study, their data and samples will be destroyed. However, the coded clinical data in the official medical record and data in databases will NOT be destroyed. ...