View clinical trials related to Atherosclerosis.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of adding ezetimibe to statin therapy on levels of inflammatory markers and adipokines in patients with atherosclerosis disease and features of the metabolic syndrome,whose LDL-c remains above target (> 2.0 mmol/L) despite statin monotherapy. We hypothesize that the addition of Ezetimibe (10mg per day for 12 weeks) to ongoing statin therapy in patients with atherosclerosis and features of the metabolic syndrome will favourably modify levels of inflammatory biomarkers and adipokines.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic and multifocal immunoinflammatory, fibroproliferative disease of medium-sized and large arteries driven by lipid. Atherosclerosis is rarely fatal unless thrombosis supervene, causing an acute coronary syndrome. Therefore, for event-free survival, the vital question is not why atherosclerosis develops but rather why atherosclerosis, after years after indolent growth, suddenly becomes complicated with luminal thrombosis. The great majority of coronary plaques will remain quiescent, at least from a clinical point of view. Acute coronary syndrome is primarily precipitated by a ruptured plaque. The precipitating factor or condition may be found outside rather than inside the plaque. The challenge is to find the plaque(s) destined for the next thrombus-mediated heart attack(s), treat, and thus avoid the heart attack(s). Identification of vulnerable plaques has become a key issue. The natural history of individual plaques (risk of thrombosis) is unknown and needs to be established. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can provide angiography and imaging of the vessel wall (detection, quantification and characterization of plaques). The intention of this project is to evaluate the accuracy of coronary MDCT in identifying and differentiating the morphology of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
This prospective, randomized, controlled study aims to investigate the effects of atorvastatin treatment in hemodialysis patients concerning progression of coronary artery calcification, progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness, endothelial function, and inflammation.
The purpose of this first-in-man study is to evaluate the safety and performance of the Dynalink®-E everolimus eluting peripheral stent system for the treatment of patients with atherosclerotic de novo or restenotic native superficial femoral and proximal popliteal lesions. Abbott Vascular is ceasing data analysis of the STRIDES Clinical Trial after 2 years. The decision to discontinue the study is not related to any safety concern. The rationale for this proposal is based on the following considerations: The performance of DYNALINK-E from STRIDES shows no device- or procedure-related deaths and no stent fractures, and the rate of additional revascularizations has been stable since approximately 14 months after the procedure. Evaluations of the bare metal nitinol DYNALINK and ABSOLUTE stents in the clinical literature show low rates of death, reintervention and stent fracture, which are consistent with STRIDES and demonstrate the safety of the nitinol stent platform of the DYNALINK-E. Long-term animal studies show no concerns with the drug or polymer coating of DYNALINK-E - everolimus tissue concentration drops below the quantifiable limit by approximately 17 months after implant, and vascular response to the coating is normal with widely patent lumens and struts incorporated into vessel tissue. The safety and performance of the DYNALINK-E has been substantiated by its clinical and pre-clinical data, and by the clinical data of similar products. Given the demonstrated mechanical integrity of the stent along with the evidence of a healthy long-term vascular response, there is a reasonable expectation of continued low event rates.
SB-568859 is a medication that is being developed for the treatment of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The purpose of this study is to see if there is a difference in how the human body takes up the study drug depending on how the study drug is made. This study will compare SB-568859 tablets that are made in 2 different ways. This is not a treatment study.
This study will test how well a new contrast agent (dye) used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help visualize totally blocked arteries that normally supply blood to the neck, arms or legs. Currently used agents work well in visualizing normal or partly blocked arteries (arteries that have some blood flowing through them), but only poorly in totally blocked arteries. This study will see if a contrast agent called gadofosveset can better brighten images of completely blocked arteries. Gadofosveset is approved in Europe for use in MRI scans, but is still considered experimental in the United States. People 18 years of age or older with known or suspected total blockage of an artery to the neck, arm or leg may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo MRI scanning with gadofosveset contrast dye. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of body tissues and organs. For this procedure, the subject lies on a table that can slide in and out of the tubular scanner, wearing earplugs to muffle loud noises that occur during the scanning process. The procedure lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, during which the subject may be asked to hold his or her breath several times for as long as 5 to 20 seconds. During the procedure, gadofosveset is injected and several kinds of MRI pictures are taken to understand better how the new agent works. Subjects may be asked to undergo a second scan using conventional MRI contrast dye
This study is performed to determine whether a seven day treatment with dipyridamole (slow release, 200mg twice daily) can induce a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion injury, after ischemic exercise of the non-dominant forearm in healthy volunteers.
We will obtain data using multi-slice CT technology to detect subclinical coronary disease in the HIV population. Determination of subclinical cardiovascular disease using noninvasive technology and elucidation of the associated risk factors will help to guide targeted therapy to prevent cardiovascular events in this patient population. We will investigate the prevalence of coronary plaque lesions and coronary artery calcifications in men and women with HIV disease as determined by 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and MDCT coronary angiography in comparison to age-matched control subjects without HIV infection. We hypothesize that evidence of coronary artery calcification and coronary plaque lesions as seen by MDCT will be present in individuals with HIV more than non-HIV control subjects of the same age. We also hypothesize the degree of atherosclerosis will be increased in HIV patients compared to control subjects. We will evaluate the metabolic and inflammatory factors associated with coronary artery disease in HIV-infected individuals. We hypothesize that traditional cardiac risk factors as well as metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with HIV and its treatment such as dyslipidemia, increased secretion of inflammatory markers, decreased adiponectin, increased insulin resistance and increased visceral fat may be associated with coronary artery disease in HIV-infected individuals.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and clinical predictors of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and to validate the usefulness of coronary CT angiography as a screening tool in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The purpose of this study is to compare the difference of diagnostic efficiency between coronary CT angiography and myocardial perfusion single photon emission computerized tomography in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.