View clinical trials related to Calcinosis.
Filter by: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 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.
Prospective study with an echography of the 2 knees and radiography of the 2 knees (front and profile) for each patient. If found calcification on ultrasound further examination with ultrasound wrists, hips and shoulders.
In this mono-center,open,three-armes, controlled, randomized phase I study the progress of aortic valve calcification with and without vitamin K supplementation will be investgated. This will be done by means of measurements of concentrations from osteocalcine and MPG in blood serum, echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and cardiac MRI
In this open, prospective, non-randomised, parallel group, unicentric pilot-study will be compared the progress of valvular and coronary calcification with regard to the therapy with either acetyl-salicylic acid or phenprocoumon. The progress of calcification is documented by comparison of cardial stratified computed tomography. It is supposed that treatment with phenprocumon leads to increased coronary and valvular calcification as well to decreased blood levels of carboxylated matrix-GLA-protein
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher mortality rate than the general population, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for approximately 50% of deaths. Vascular calcification is a common finding in patients with CKD. Furthermore, patients with CKD develop secondary hyperparathyroidism, partly because of a decrease of calcitriol synthesis on the kidney. Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism includes use of activated vitamin D including calcitriol and paricalcitol. Recent evidence in dialysis patients suggest an improved survival in patients using paricalcitol compared to calcitriol. Studies in uremic rats suggests that there are differential effects of calcitriol and paricalcitol in expression of markers of soft-tissue calcification independent of calcium-phosphorus product. Calcitriol increased calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in calcification media. There was also significant increase in pulse pressure in animals treated with calcitriol. The investigators hypothesize that these different forms of vitamin D may have differential effects in vascular calcification progression in CKD patients.
The present study will examine the treatment effect of sodium thiosulfate on coronary calcification in patients on hemodialysis.