View clinical trials related to Atherosclerosis.
Filter by:The study aimed to prospectively investigate the prevalence of myocardial scar on Dotarem-enhanced Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic patients with type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and to assess its correlation with subclinical coronary artery disease on Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA).
The purpose of the study is to assess the diagnostic performance of fully automated motion corrected (MC) first pass myocardial perfusion MRI, compared to the original non-corrected first pass myocardial perfusion images in a cohort of patients with suspected ischemic heart disease, using coronary angiography as the reference standard. It is expected that this improved comprehensive protocol for cardiac MRI be accurate at detecting significant coronary artery disease and may obviate the need for other more expensive and invasive diagnostic tests currently used.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, and people with type 2 diabetes have a two- to four-fold increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Physical activity is a well established therapeutic modality for type 2 diabetes. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), several clinical trials have shown reduced mortality and reduced progression of atherosclerosis with lifestyle intervention including physical activity. But few studies have investigated the effect of physical training in patients suffering from both diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of one year of organized physical exercise in patients with both coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes on glucometabolic state and progression of atherosclerosis. The project is a randomized, controlled, open study on physical exercise. 136 patients will be randomized at inclusion to a physical exercise group or a control group, the latter with "normal" follow-up and not discouraged form physical activity. The intervention period will be 12 months, and the physical training program will be developed and conducted in collaboration with Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The inclusion of patients started summer 2010, the exercise program begins in September 2010 and the practical issues of the study is planned to end during spring 2012. The main hypothesis is that physical exercise improves the glucometabolic state and reduces progression of atherosclerosis in patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and secondary that physical exercise induces favourable changes in cardiovascular risk factors, use of medication, and co-morbidity associated with diabetes.
Nebivolol is a novel blood pressure lowering drug with an additional effect on the inner lining of blood vessels to release a compound called nitric oxide that can relax blood vessels. Atenolol is a blood pressure reducing agent without the ability to release nitric oxide and effect additional blood vessel relaxation. The goal of this proposal is to compare Nebivolol and Atenolol with respect to the following parameters: - Plaque within arteries supplying the heart in terms of its volume and composition as assessed by ultrasound within these arteries. - Ability of small arteries in the heart to open up and deliver an enhanced blood supply in response to drug called Adenosine (routinely used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory) as assessed by pressure and flow detecting catheters within these arteries. - Ability of the inner lining of arteries that supply the heart to release a relaxing compound called nitric oxide in response to injection of Acetylcholine (also used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory) as assessed by squirting dye into these arteries - Local forces that affect blood flow in the arteries supplying the heart as assessed by superimposing the above data into complex maps created offline at Georgia Institute of Technology. It is likely that Nebivolol causes the plaque within arteries supplying the heart to change from the 'vulnerable' type to the 'stable' type plaque. There are several features of "vulnerable plaques" that can be detected in arteries of the heart using intravascular ultrasound (a small ultrasound camera that goes in the arteries of the heart). The investigators hypothesis is that Nebivolol will prove superior to Atenolol in reducing 'vulnerable plaques', improve blood flow within the small arteries and the health of inner lining of these arteries at the 1 year time point. The investigators plan to enroll 20 patients into the study (26 patient including dropouts) who will be randomized in a 1:1 manner to Nebivolol Vs Atenolol for 1 year and repeat evaluation at that time point.
The aim of this study was to measure the effect of moderate and intensive lipid-lowering treatment with rosuvastatin on the endothelial function.
A prospective, multi-centre, randomized controlled, First in Man study to assess the safety and performance of the coated Passeo-18 Lux Paclitaxel releasing PTA Balloon Catheter vs. an uncoated balloon catheter in patients with stenosis and occlusion of the femoropopliteal arteries.
Intermediate saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions are common, have high rates of progression to severe lesions or occlusion, and are associated with high incidence of adverse clinical outcomes. The ALPINE-SVG trial is a randomized-controlled trial of extended-release niacin vs. placebo in patients with intermediate saphenous vein graft lesions. The main hypothesis of the study is that compared to placebo, niacin administration will result in reduction in percent atheroma volume at 12-month follow-up angiography.
Background: - Atherosclerosis (thickening of the artery walls caused by cholesterol and other deposits) commonly occurs in the heart vessels and carotid (neck) arteries of adults. This is often present in individuals with high cholesterol levels in their blood. These patients are usually treated with cholesterol lowering medication ( statins ) along with modification of diet and exercise. Researchers are interested in investigating new approaches including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) imaging studies to detect blood vessel blockages that would not otherwise be detected by cholesterol levels and risk factors for heart disease. Objectives: - To measure atherosclerosis in the heart vessels and carotid arteries using imaging tests (computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) before and after standard treatment with cholesterol lowering medication ( statins ) Eligibility: - Healthy individuals at least 55 years of age who are candidates for therapy to lower their blood cholesterol levels. Design: - This study will involve one screening visit and seven study visits over a period of 2 years. - Participants will be screened with a physical examination and medical history, as well as blood samples and tests to ensure that it is safe for them to have CT and MRI scans. Participants will provide information on current medications, dietary habits, smoking status, alcohol and caffeine intake, and their level of physical activity. - Participants will be divided into two groups. One group will receive standard doses of medication to lower cholesterol according to current treatment guidelines, while the other group will have MRI scans of the carotid arteries and a CT scan of the heart to determine the best medication dose levels. - Visits 3 to 5 will be scheduled 3, 6, and 9 months after visit 2. During these visits, researchers will monitor for possible side effects and may change or adjust medications and doses. - At visit 6, participants will have an MRI scan of the carotid arteries, a physical examination, and blood tests. Medications may be changed or adjusted. - At visit 7, participants will have blood tests, and medications may be changed or adjusted. - At the final visit, participants will have MRI and CT scans of the carotid arteries and heart, respectively, as well as a final physical examination and blood tests.
The possibility of the identification of the risk of rupture of a carotid plaque will have tremendous impact in clinical decision making. Firstly, in symptomatic patients with a 30-69% stenosis, who are currently not operated upon according to the current guidelines, identification of the risk of rupture plaque could identify patients who have a high risk of recurrent stroke, and would benefit of carotid intervention, such as endarterectomy or stent placement. This could potentially prevent a substantial number of strokes. Secondly, in all symptomatic patients with a 70-99% stenosis carotid intervention should be considered, according to the guidelines. However, only one out of six patients with a 70-99% stenosis benefits from a carotid intervention. Identification of patients with a high risk of a recurrent stroke would reduce the number of unnecessary interventions substantially. The main objective is to show whether imaging characteristics assessed at baseline can predict clinical events in patients with a 30-69 % symptomatic carotid stenosis.
The aim of this study was to measure the effect of moderate and intensive lipid-lowering treatment with rosuvastatin on the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk.