View clinical trials related to Coronary Arteriosclerosis.
Filter by:This study will look at the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation exercise program on release of stem cells from the bone marrow and on heart function. Stem cells are primitive cells produced and released by the bone marrow, circulate in the bloodstream and develop into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Some stem cells may also develop into other kinds of cells, including those that make up heart muscle, especially if the heart has been damaged or is not getting sufficient blood. Stem cells called endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are thought to form new blood vessels that can carry blood to areas of the heart muscle that are oxygen-deprived because of clogged arteries. Previous experiments have shown that some EPCs can be forced out of the bone marrow by exercise. This study will examine whether repeated exercise and lifestyle changes increase the number of EPCs released into the bloodstream and if these cells improve heart and blood vessel function. Patients 21 years of age and older with coronary artery disease may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and physical examination, including a cardiovascular evaluation, and blood tests. The participants will be enrolled in a 2- to 3-month cardiac rehabilitation program that includes 24 to 36 60-minute sessions of exercise, plus instruction on lifestyle changes related to diet, stress management, and relaxation techniques. In addition, participants will undergo the following tests and procedures: - Brachial reactivity study: This test measures how well the arteries widen. The patients rest for 30 minutes, and then an ultrasound device is placed over the artery just above the elbow. The device measures the size of the artery and blood flow through it before and after the patient is given a spray of nitroglycerin under the tongue. - Blood tests for EPC levels and genetic testing: These measure EPCs and determine whether certain genes that may regulate EPC function are turned on or off. Genes are made up of DNA, the molecules that lead to the production of proteins by cells. Some of these proteins may be important in releasing EPCs from the bone marrow to travel in the bloodstream to the heart and repair blood vessels and muscle cells. - Treadmill exercise testing: Patients exercise on a treadmill with continuous monitoring of the heartbeat and frequent measurements of oxygen saturation, using a finger clip device. The patient continues to exercise until moderate chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue develops. - Questionnaire: Patients fill out a 15-minute questionnaire about their general physical and mental health status at the first and last visits to the clinic. - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart: Patients who are eligible to undergo MRI have this test twice during the study, once before beginning the rehabilitation program and again after completing the program. The MRI shows heart function and blood flow in the heart. For this test, the patient lies on a stretcher inside a long narrow cylinder (the scanner). During the scan, the drug dipyridamole, which increases blood flow to the heart, is infused into a vein of the hand or arm. Another drug, gadolinium, is also infused to brighten the images produced.
To examine the associations of common variation in inflammation/thrombosis genes with intermediate quantitative phenotypes and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in the Coronary Artery Risk Factor Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, a large, bi-racial cohort study.
To evaluate the relation of retinal microvascular characteristics to subclinical cardiovascular disease, clinical disease, and their risk factors in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort.
To examine whether serum androgens, measured earlier in life, and variation in genes related to androgen synthesis, metabolism, and signaling are associated with early-onset subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in young adult women from the community.
To determine familial and non-familial causes for susceptibility to atherosclerosis and the inflammatory response.
This study will measure and compare the levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the blood of people with and without risk factors for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) to see if there is a relationship between these cells and cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol level and high blood pressure. Healthy male volunteers between the ages of 21 and 55 years with and without heart disease risk factors may be eligible for this study. Candidates must have no evidence of coronary or peripheral vascular disease, proliferative retinopathy, or other chronic disease and no history of cancer, migraine-type headache, cluster headache, raised intraocular pressure, raised intracranial pressure, hyperthyroidism. Participants will undergo the following procedures at the NIH Clinical Center: - Medical history and physical examination - Blood tests to measure EPC level and various risk and growth factors - Brachial reactivity study - This ultrasound study tests how well the subject's arteries widen. The subject rests on a bed for 30 minutes. An ultrasound measuring device is placed over the artery just above the elbow. The size of the artery and blood flow through it are measured before and after inflating a pressure cuff around the forearm. The pressure cuff stops the flow of blood to the arm for a few minutes. After a 15-minute rest, the drug nitroglycerin is sprayed under the subject's tongue. Before the nitroglycerin spray and 3 minutes after it, the size of the artery and blood flow through it are measured again.
To evaluate subclinical atherosclerotic disease in menopausal women.
To determine whether an impairment of myocardial perfusion reserve is an early indicator of coronary artery disease.
To investigate the relationship between endogenous estrogen and androgen levels and risk of coronary heart disease among postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative-Observational Study (WHI-OS).
To quantify the role of dietary factors in the etiology of coronary heart disease by pooling data from 10 major prospective studies on diet and coronary heart disease.