View clinical trials related to Calcinosis.
Filter by:Both Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC)and its annual progression are a strong predictors of cardiovascular events. The development of arterial calcification results from imbalance between calcification promoting and inhibiting factors. An important inhibitor of calcification is Matrix Gla Protein (MGP): a protein present in the vascular wall where it is synthesized by Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMC). MGP requires Vitamin K-mediated carboxylation to function properly. Deficiency of Vitamin K has been demonstrated to cause arterial calcification and a diet containing large amounts of Vitamin K2 was associated with lower CAC and cardiovascular risk. In animal studies, active supplementation of Vitamin K2 caused regression of existing arterial calcification. Therefore, the aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate whether daily supplementation of Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) to patients with established CAC will lead to a decreased progression-rate of CAC after 24 months of follow-up in comparison to placebo.
Intervention study focused on preventing the progression of aortic valve calcification. Vascular and cardiac calcifications are a marker of risk and poor outcome, especially the severe calcified aortic stenosis and coronary calcification. Its increasing prevalence is now a health problem. The knowledge and the therapeutic objective of this condition have changed in recent years and pathophysiological aspects at present, focus on atherosclerotic disease and inflammation. Several clinical trials have failed to demonstrate that statins or ACE inhibitors prevent the progression of cardiovascular calcification. Taking into account the new concepts of ectopic calcification and research results from our group, the most logical approach to prevent progression would be an early intervention and management of the calcification inhibiting agents such as phytate (inositol six-phosphate -- InsP6). Hypothesis: The phytate prevents or delays the progression of cardiovascular calcification. It is a clinical trial of intervention of oral phytate (InsP6) in patients with mild to moderate cardiovascular calcification (aortic valve and / or coronary arteries) compared with placebo over a period of 24 months. It is a prospective, randomized minimization of variables to ensure homogeneity of the groups. The primary analysis will be the time evolution of the extent of calcium in the aortic valve and coronary arteries made with CT. Secondary variables are the degree of progression of aortic stenosis and clinical events (death, stroke, angina, stroke and cancer of any type).
The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of 2 different doses of intramuscular (IM) vitamin D3 as compared to an oral replacement dose in normalizing vitamin D levels in the blood of patients with tropical calcific pancreatitis.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important health concern for African Americans, who are diagnosed with CAD at high rates. Coronary artery calcification, which is characterized by calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, is a contributing factor to CAD. This study will examine the possible genetic causes of coronary artery calcification in African Americans.
The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the correlation of coronary artery calcification as measured by electron-beam computerized tomography and coronary flow reserve measured by trans-thoracic Doppler echocardiography in hemodialysis patients. The investigators also assessed the carotid artery parameters by measuring intima media thickness that can accurately describe the process of arterial wall changes due to atherosclerosis. Possible association of coronary flow reserve with inflammation and arterial calcification in hemodialysis patients was also evaluated.
This study examines the relationship between the SCOUT DM device and coronary artery calcification as determined by rapid computed tomography in patients at risk for coronary heart disease.
The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a link between calcium build up in the veins or arteries (including the veins/arteries of the heart) and deterioration of the bone. This will help understand if there is a connection between heart disease and bone disease.
The purpose of the study is to assess whether the use of warfarin, a commonly used anticoagulation drug, is associated with increased amounts of coronary artery calcification. Studies in animals and preliminary but small retrospective studies in humans have suggested a possible link to increased tissue calcification with use of this drug. The researchers will investigate this by assessing the amount of calcification seen in the coronary arteries using a specialized computed tomography (CT) scan (electron-beam CT) and assessing to see if the amount is influenced by the amount of time a patient has been taking warfarin. The researchers will exclude patients with known coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease or hyperparathyroidism.
1. Statement of Problem According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 43.7% of all firefighters that died on the job experienced sudden cardiac death. The job also affords an incredible amount of stress. Cholesterol therapy has been well demonstrated to reduce coronary plaque progression. However is certainly not the only factor in evaluating for progression of coronary artery disease (CAD), and other factors must play a role. Garlic therapy has been shown to retard atherosclerosis independently. 2. Hypothesis and Specific Aims The hypothesis of this proposal is: In comparison to the placebo group, Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) therapy + Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) will be effective in slowing progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in firefighters with established atherosclerosis, independent of baseline blood pressure, statin use or other cardiovascular risk factors. Specific Aims: 1. Compare the effects of cholesterol lowering effects in a firefighter population of patients under the influence of Aged Garlic Extract + CoQ10 or placebo. 2. Compare whether degree of change in atherosclerotic coronary artery plaque burden will change at a different rate under the influence of Aged Garlic Extract + CoQ10 compared to placebo treatment. 3. Compare whether Aged Garlic Extract + CoQ10 therapy induces changes in baseline values including biological and biochemical parameters, such as LDL cholesterol, homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP), and endothelial function.
Use ultrasound and computed tomography to evaluate the condition of peritoneum(thickness, calcified, etc. )and correlate the relationship between the peritoneum and other clinical condition