View clinical trials related to Calcinosis.
Filter by:This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the echocardiographic data obtained from patients with calcifications in the mitral valve who are undergoing a cardiac (heart) catheterization. Echocardiography is a non-invasive (does not break the skin) procedure used to see an image of the heart. It uses harmless sound waves to create an image of the heart on a computer screen. These images will show the valves of the heart, how well the heart is pumping blood, the blood flow across these valves and how large the heart is. A silver paddle-shaped device is moved easily over the skin to capture these images. Calcification (hardening) of the heart valves and heart rings (fibrous tissue surrounding the valves) is a common finding and it increases with age. The presence of calcification changes the blood flow through the heart valves. This makes any echocardiographic data (information) obtained from patients with calcifications difficult to interpret.
Individuals with kidney disease are at a higher risk for heart and vascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, than those with normal kidney function. The purpose of this research study is to collect information on the causes, complications and treatment of kidney disease. Patient characteristics, comorbid diseases and laboratory markers used in routine practice, as well as novel biochemical markers and genetic data will be collected to examine relationships between biochemical and genetic markers and cardiovascular risk. Information on the health history of incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients will be captured using structured patient interviews and review of medical records. Blood and urine specimens will be collected at the time of dialysis initiation and stored in order to perform novel biochemical and genetic assays in the future. The overall goal of the CKDCS/LUCID study is improve understanding of cardiac-associated risks and to improve treatment in patients with kidney disease. A cardiac imaging substudy will be performed in a subset of patients enrolled. The goals of the substudy are to examine whether the risks of developing common cardiac-related complications (coronary artery calcification [CAC] and left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH]) are associated with certain medications taken by individuals on dialysis and whether these risks are modified by a genotypic predisposition.
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.
The aortic valve is the main outlet valve from the heart. This valve can become diseased and narrowed when it needs to be replaced with an artificial valve. Currently, this is the commonest reason for someone to undergo a heart valve operation in the UK. Unfortunately, there are no medical treatments that can prevent or delay the progression of this disease process. Here, the investigators propose to use new state-of-the-art imaging techniques to better understand the disease process so that the investigators can effectively design and assess potential new treatments. The ultimate aim is to stop this disease before patients need to have surgery. In addition the investigators believe this technique will allow us to predict the rate of progression of the disease
Both Kidney transplantation (KT) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients have reduced kidney function. Low serum magnesium is more prevalent in KT recipients. The present study examines the difference in vascular calcification between KT and CKD and its association with serum magnesium.
Coronary artery disease are 8 times more prevalent in patients with NAFLD then the general population and are being considered the most common cause of death. Cardiac CT is a reliable non invasive method in demonstrating Coronary Plaques. However the association between coronary artery calcium score (CAC) and NAFLD remains controversial
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether successful sub-total parathyroidectomy retards cardiovascular calcification in patients with hemodialysis and to investigate the mechanism .
Vessel calcification is a recognised cardiovascular morbidity risk factor in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent reports indicate a significant role of Matrix Gla-protein (MGP) in decreasing calcification processes. MGP is excretion protein whose mechanism of action is not yet fully explained and which to be activated requires phosphorylation and carboxylation where cofactor is vitamin K. These observations indicate that shortage of vitamin K is a significant risk factor for the development of vessel calcification. Another calcification risk factor in CKD patients are calcium-phosphate disturbances and insufficiency of vitamin D3 which in physiological concentration stimulates MGP transcription. The aim of this study is estimation of influence of vitamin K2 administration over the period of 9 months on vessel calcification in 3.- 5. stage CKD patients. It is a prospective, randomised double-blind study carried out in parallel groups. 60 patients with CKD (GFR 15-60 ml/min) with calcium score >10 (Agatston scoring system) will be qualified for the study. On the basis of randomised selection, patients will be divided into two groups: 30 patients will be given 90 μg vitamin K2 + 10 μg and cholecalciferol 30 patients will be given only 10 μg cholecalciferol. After a 9-month treatment the image diagnostic will be carried out in order to estimate the degree of vessel calcification.
Although conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) have been identified and routinely used to determine risk for CHD in the general population, a systematic approach to determine population-specific risk for CHD has not been performed prospectively in those with SCI. CHD is a leading cause of death in spinal cord injury, occurring at younger ages than in the able-bodied population. Conventional risk factors for CHD are high serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), low serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), diabetes mellitus (DM), positive smoking history, and positive family history of premature CHD. Coronary calcification (CAC) is a commonly occurring phenomenon that does not necessarily indicate significant obstructive disease. Studies have shown that a strong association exists between coronary calcification and coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study is to compare the CAC scores in persons with SCI with a historical control group of able-bodied persons from a national data base who will be matched for conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine the relationship between CAC scores and conventional and emerging risk factors for CAD.