View clinical trials related to Atherosclerosis.
Filter by:The impact of the environment on human health is considerable. An important factor is the effect of temperature on the human body, where either the effects of short-term exposure to extreme temperatures (cryotherapy, sauna, etc.) or the long-term environmental impact are monitored. The study was focused on research of the long-term effect of repeated CWI on atherogenesis, lipid parameters and fat distribution.
The prevailing view in telomere epidemiology is that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) since it serves as a biomarker of the cumulative burden of inflammation and oxidative stress during adult life. However, our recent results indicate that telomere length (TL) is mainly determined before adulthood, by TL at birth and TL attrition during growth. They also demonstrate that short telomeres precede the clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis. The investigators therefore hypothesize that LT is not a simple marker, but a major determinant of arterial aging. Two mechanistic hypotheses may explain an active role of short telomeres in accelerated arterial aging and development of ACVD. The first is that a short TL at the leukocyte level reflects a short TL in endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Cell replicative capacity being TL-dependent, short telomeres in the EPC would therefore be responsible for diminished replication capacity and vascular repair potential, thereby increasing the vulnerability for developing age-related arterial diseases. The second hypothesis is that a short LTL reflects short TL in arterial wall cells, leading to an increase in the number of senescent vascular cells. Senescent cells are known to alter their secretion pattern, a phenomenon called senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and thus contribute to tissue injury by promoting inflammation and tissue remodeling leading to lesion progression. These assumptions cannot be tested by LTL measurements alone. The investigators propose, therefore, a model that makes it possible to examine different elements of TL dynamics in different tissues and cell types: leukocytes, circulating EPCs, in situ EPCs and arterial resident cells (mainly smooth muscle cells) in patients with or without atherosclerosis. Our model is based on the following observations: - TL is synchronized (equivalent) across somatic tissues/cells of the newborn: an individual with short telomeres (relative to his pairs) in one tissue should also have short telomeres (relative to his pairs) in other tissues. - TL in EPCs (both circulating and in situ) determines the cell proliferative ability and therefore capacity for vessels repair during aging. - TL in the cells of the arterial wall determines the number of senescent cells that therefore contribute to tissue injury through their change of phenotype. The general aim of the present project is to examine the mechanistic links between arterial aging and TL in these different cell types.
The use of handheld arterial 'stethoscopes' (continuous wave Doppler devices) are ubiquitous in clinical practice. However, most users have received no formal training in their use or the interpretation of the returned data. This leads to delays in diagnosis and errors in diagnosis. The investigators intend to create a novel machine-learning algorithm to assist clinicians in the use of this data. This study will allow the investigators to collect sound files from the use of the devices and compare the algorithms output to established, existing vascular testing. There will be no invasive procedures, and use of these stethoscopes is part of routine clinical care. If successful, this data and algorithm will be later deployed via smartphone app for point of case testing in a separate study
The build up of plaque in the wall of the artery supplying blood to the brain poses a risk of stroke when the plaques become unstable and fragile. It is important to determine which patients are most at risk so that surgery can be performed. There is evidence that the risk is greatest when these plaques become oxygen deficient (hypoxic). The investigators wish to use PET imaging to identify hypoxic plaque, to help decide whether and when to perform surgery. The investigators have developed radiotracers (imaging agents) for this purpose, and this study is to determine whether they will work in patients.
The present investigation will be a Phase II, single center, placebo-controlled, randomized, dose escalation, infusion modality (intracoronary vs transendocardial injection using the Cordis Biosense NOGASTAR TM Mapping Catheter with the Biosense MYOSTAR TM left ventricular injection catheter) transplantation of an autologous (your own stem cells) combination of bone marrow-derived stem cells into myocardium for the treatment of severe coronary ischemia. The purpose of this research study is to determine if the infusion of a combination of stem cells obtained from the bone marrow of the same patient will contribute to the formation of new blood vessels in patients with symptomatic severe coronary ischemia(CI). In this trial we will determine whether the combination stem cell treatment is safe, feasible and results in the development of mature stable and/or collateral vessels and improvement of cardiac function. Coronary Ischemia (CI) is intractable angina due to severe coronary artery disease which can seriously decrease blood flow to the heart. CI needs a comprehensive treatment since the condition will not improve on its own. The overall goal of the treatment is to increase blood flow to the heart and improve symptoms of angina. The study hypothesis is based on the concept that the process of formation of new blood vessels is complex and requires the participation of several types of stem cells and growth factors. The lack of any of these components will produce vessels which are immature and unable to provide appropriate blood supply to the heart. Patients eligible to participate in this study are those suffering from severe blockages of the vessels of the heart and are not candidates for percutaneous revascularization or surgical procedures.
To investigate the diagnostic performance of whole body magnetic resonance angiography (WB-MRA) using two different magnetic resonance scanners at a field strength of 1.5 and 3T. The hypothesis is that use of the 3T system gives superior signals from the investigated arteries, when compared with 1.5T.
Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in developed countries worldwide, including Taiwan. The disruption of atherosclerotic plaques and the subsequent formation of thrombi are currently recognized as the major cause of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, early detection of vulnerable plaques is clinically important for risk stratification and also to provide early treatment. Several imaging approaches have been adapted to detect vulnerable plaques, however, most of them are based on morphologic characteristics of atheroma. We hypothesize that PPARĪ³-induced plaque regression could be monitored clinically by use of 18FDG PET/CT approach, which could assess the inflammatory activity, and can be detected noninvasively earlier than previously reported.