View clinical trials related to Arterial Calcification.
Filter by:Kidney transplant candidates undergo extensive diagnostic evaluation aimed at assessing their cardiovascular (CV) risk, which remains the leading cause of disability and death in this patient population. This includes among others an assessment of the iliac arterial calcification. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have an increased incidence of arterial calcifications due to many factors, such as increased age, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, the severity of pelvic arterial calcifications may impact the surgical planning of kidney transplantation (KT), choice of anastomosis site, complexity of the surgery, and patient and graft survival. Vascular calcifications are recognized as a good biomarker of overall cardiovascular burden. Although computerized tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for calcification evaluation, compared to pelvic X-ray and Doppler ultrasound, it is not officially included in the guidelines of different international associations, which offer general recommendations for the assessment of iliac vessels. Nevertheless, centers are increasingly using CT in their pretransplant workup, either routinely or only in patients with increased CV risk. Also, impaired bone metabolism and its consequences have an important role in the development of vascular calcification. The investigators will determine the relationship between calcification burden of iliac arteries which will be assessed on CT and the serum level of bone remodeling biomarkers, including parathyroid hormone, (PTH), calcium, phosphates, OPG/RANK/RANKL (engl. osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κΒ/RANK ligand) and Gla-Rich protein (GLP). According to investigator knowledge, this will be the first prospective study that will correlate the degree of iliac arteries calcification based on CT analyses with the serum level of various bone remodeling markers, and their impact on clinical outcome in kidney transplant recipients. The investigators expect this research to improve insights into incidence and distribution of iliac artery calcifications in patients following kidney transplantation, their correlation with clinical data and bone remodeling markers and confirm the appropriateness of using computerized tomography in a routine pretransplantation work-up.
Aim and background: This study will seek to identify physiological and biochemical factors explaining and predicting a higher than expected central (aortic) blood pressure (BP) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The basic hypothesis of the study is that the degree of aortic calcification is an important component of elevated central BP, which, in turn, is important for the organ-damage and increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with CKD. Methods: Adult patients with varying degrees of CKD undergoing scheduled coronary angiography (CAG) at Aarhus University Hospital will be included in this study. During the CAG procedure, systolic and diastolic BP is determined in the ascending part of aorta by a calibrated pressure transducer connected to the fluid-filled CAG catheter. Simultaneous with the registration of invasive aortic BP, estimation of central BP is performed using radial artery tonometry (SphygmoCor®), while a corresponding brachial BP is also measured. Prior to the CAG, a non-contrast CT scan of aorta in its entirety will be performed to enable blinded quantification of calcification in the wall of aorta and coronary arteries. Furthermore, echocardiography, resting BP measurement and a range of blood- and urine samples will be performed.
Arterial calcification is an independent predictor of coronary events associated with a 3-4 fold increased risk of cardiovascular events. Currently, no effective intervention exists to reduce arterial calcification. However, recent studies showed that vitamin K may reduce ongoing calcium deposition in the arteries, and thereby inhibit arterial calcification. The primary objective is to determine if MK-7 supplementation leads to stabilization or attenuation of ongoing calcium deposition in the femoral artery as quantified by 18F-NaF PET/CT imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes and arterial disease.
Central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity were measured using a Complior Analyse device in Short and Long-term after kidney transplantation.
Central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity were measured using a Complior Analyse device before and immediately after the end of the dialysis session.
Background: - Arterial Calcifications due to Deficiency in CD73 (ACDC) is a rare genetic disease. People with ACDC develop calcification in the arteries of the lower extremities as well as calcium deposit in the joints of the fingers, wrists, ankles and feet. The lower extremities calcification causes claudication because of severe ischemia requiring at time revascularization procedures. the calcium deposits in the joints causes severe debilitating pain in the hands and feet. Currently, there are no standard treatments for ACDC. - Etidronate is a bisphosphonate that interferes with bone metabolism. It is approved to treat Paget's disease, a condition in which the bones are soft and weak and may be deformed, painful, or easily broken. It is also used to treat high blood calcium levels. Researchers want to see if it can be used to treat the calcifications of ACDC and improve pain and blood flow in the lower extremities and arthritic pain of the hands and feet. Objectives: - To see if etidronate is a safe and effective treatment for ACDC. Eligibility: - People between 18 and 80 years of age who have been diagnosed with ACDC. Design: - Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will also have imaging studies, including CT scan of the lower extremities, x-rays and DEXA bone scans, before starting treatment. Blood and urine samples will be collected. An exercise tolerance test will also be given and ABI (ankle brachial index will be measured. - Participants will take etidronate by mouth once a day for 14 days every 3 months. They will be assigned an individualized 6- month drug schedule to follow. - Participants will have regular study visits throughout the treatment period. These visits will involve imaging studies, full dental exams, and blood and urine tests. Participants will also have exercise tolerance tests and ABIs measured. - Participants may also provide tissue samples for further study. - Treatment will continue for up to 3 years as long as the side effects are not severe and the condition does not become worse. Participants will have a final follow-up visit after stopping treatment.