View clinical trials related to Cardiomyopathy.
Filter by:Heart failure is a progressive disease that decreases the pumping action of the heart. This may cause a backup of fluid in the heart and may result in heart beat changes. When there are changes in the heart beat sometimes an implantable heart device is used to control the rate and rhythm of the heart beat. In certain heart failure cases, when the two lower chambers of the heart no longer beat in a coordinated manner, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be prescribed. CRT is similar to a pacemaker. It is placed (implanted) under the skin of the upper chest. CRT is delivered as tiny electrical pulses to the right and left ventricles through three or four leads (soft insulated wires) that are inserted through the veins to the heart. The purpose of this study is to monitor the long-term performance of the InSync Model 8040 (InSync) and InSync III Model 8042 (InSync III) systems for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
Heart failure is a progressive disease that decreases the pumping action of the heart. This may cause a backup of fluid in the heart and may result in heart beat changes. Using a medical device like a pacemaker or a defibrillator can help the heart to pump in regular beats. However, not all patients do better with a device. Currently, there is not a way to identify which patients will benefit from the device. The purpose of this study is to determine if using medical tests, Echocardiogram, can help in predicting which patients will improve. The types of patients needed for this study are those who have been diagnosed with moderate or severe heart failure.
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of subcutaneous injection of Human BNP (nesiritide), a hormone produced by the heart, on the pumping ability of the heart, kidney function, and hormonal function in persons with heart failure.
Patients hospitalized for treatment of decompensated heart failure (CHF) are at risk for prolonged length of stay (LOS) and frequent readmissions. Renal dysfunction and diuretic resistance contribute to this risk, particularly if renal dysfunction worsens during CHF treatment. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone of myocardial cell origin with well-defined physiological effects which include arterial and venous vasodilation, suppression of adverse neurohumoral systems and favorable effects on renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion. Recombinant human BNP (Natrecor) is approved by the FDA for treatment of decompensated CHF as it has been demonstrated to lower filling pressures and improve symptoms. While clinical trials and the FDA support the use of BNP as adjuvant therapy in decompensated CHF, the extent of its efficacy in improving non-hemodynamic CHF parameters has not been fully defined. The objective of this clinical practice protocol is to determine whether use of BNP in addition to standard therapy, will preserve renal function and facilitate diuresis in patients with CHF and mild-moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance > 20 but < 60 ml/min) as compared to standard therapy alone. Patients admitted to the Mayo Heart Failure Service who meet entrance criteria will be randomized to standard clinical practice with or without a 48 hour infusion of BNP. The primary endpoints will be indices of renal function and diuretic response at 1, 2 and 3 days and at discharge. Secondary endpoints will be neurohumoral function, LOS and 30-day readmission rate.
We are studying the genetics of human cardiovascular and neuromuscular disease. There are many different genetic regions that have been associated with the development of cardiomyopathy. An equal number of genetic regions have been associated with muscular dystrophy and there is overlap because some of the identical genes, when mutated, produce both cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. We are working to identify genes and gene mutations associated with cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and muscular dystrophy. We propose to screen these samples for mutations in genes known to be involved in these disorders.
In addition to medical treatment for heart failure (HF), a variety of non-pharmacological interventions have been demonstrated to benefit these patients. Some of these include systems for weight monitoring and medication reminders, exercise programs, and individually tailored evaluation and treatment plans with dietitians, social workers, psychologists, and nurse case managers. While many of these approaches have been shown to increase adherence to medication guidelines and result in decreased health care utilization, most rely heavily on a large team of specialized health care providers. It remains unknown whether or not an intervention with a lower intensity of specialized care using sophisticated automated computer tracking and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) techniques can impact the care of HF patients.
This study will explore new ways of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the heart and blood vessels of patients with cardiovascular disease, including better detection of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and blockage of heart and leg arteries. Patients 18 years of age and older with cardiovascular disease may be eligible for this study. All participants will have magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissues. For the procedure, the patient lies on a table surrounded by a metal cylinder (the scanner). A 'gadolinium contrast' material may be injected into the patient s vein during part of the study to brighten the images. Patients wear earplugs during the scan to muffle loud knocking sounds caused by the electrical switching of the magnetic fields. They will be asked to hold their breath intermittently for 5 to 20 seconds during the scan. They will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (EKG) during the procedure and will be in contact by intercom at all times with the person performing the scan. Patients can request to stop the study and come out of the scanner at any time. The procedure may last from 30 to 90 minutes. An echocardiogram a test that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the heart and blood vessels-may be done to confirm the MRI findings. In addition, patients may undergo one or more of the following optional studies: - Dobutamine stress MRI - This test uses dobutamine-a medicine that simulates exercise by increasing heart rate and heart function-to detect blockages in the coronary arteries (vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart) and locate areas of the heart that are permanently damaged, perhaps by a previous heart attack. For this test, MRI pictures of the heart are taken before, during and after administration of dobutamine. Gadolinium may be injected during part of the study to brighten the images. An EKG will be used to monitor the heart during the procedure. - Vasodilator MRI - The procedure and objectives of this test are the same as those described for dobutamine stress MRI, except that this study uses dipyridamole or adenosine. These drugs dilate blood vessels, causing increased blood flow to the heart. - Plethysmography MRI - This test determines the presence and severity of narrowing in arteries that supply blood to the leg. Blockage of these vessels often causes pain while walking. This study will compare plethysmography MRI with venous occlusion plethysmography, an older method of measuring blood flow in the legs. For venous occlusion plethysmography, a large blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper leg and a strain gauge (thin elastic band) is placed around the calf. The pressure cuff is inflated very tightly for 5 minutes to block blood flow to the leg, and another pressure cuff over the ankle is also inflated. When the large cuff is deflated, blood rushes to the leg, a smaller cuff is inflated to a low pressure, and the strain gauge measures the maximum blood flow to the leg for 1 or 2 more minutes. This procedure is done once or twice outside the MRI scanner and once or twice inside the scanner. The scans are performed as described above for the dobutamine and vasodilator studies. The strain gauge is not used for plethysmography MRI the MRI pictures are used to measure flow.