108 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and contribute most to healthcare costs in the U.S. Age is the strongest cardiovascular disease risk factor, with \>90% of all deaths from cardiovascular disease occurring in adults \>50 years old. The age-associated increased risk of cardiovascular disease is due, in large part, to the development of arterial dysfunction, including endothelial dysfunction and stiffening of the large elastic arteries. Therefore, novel, effective interventions that improve arterial function will have a large public health impact by decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The short-chain fatty acid acetate is endogenously produced by the gut microbiome from fermentation of dietary soluble fiber. High-fiber diets reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases, but unfortunately, a low percentage of Americans meet guidelines for adequate dietary fiber intake and, despite nationwide efforts to improve this, trends in fiber intake have not improved over the last 20+ years. Thus, directly supplementing acetate may be a more practical and feasible intervention for effectively improving arterial function in older adults and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The investigators will conduct a study to determine the efficacy of 12 weeks of oral supplementation with acetate for improving arterial function in late middle-aged and older (50+ years) adults. They will also assess the safety and tolerability of acetate supplementation in these adults and perform innovative mechanistic analyses to determine how acetate supplementation improves arterial function. The investigators hypothesize that oral acetate supplementation will improve arterial function by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, and also hypothesize that acetate supplementation will be safe and promote high rates of adherence.
The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases with aging largely due to age-related declines in the function of arteries (arterial dysfunction), which are influenced by common lifestyle factors such as consumption of a "Western" diet and lack of sufficient physical activity; thus, it is important to study how these factors interact to affect artery function. This study will determine whether changes to the gut microbiome (the collection of bacteria and other "microbes" living in the intestinal tract) with aging, Western diet consumption and aerobic exercise influence arterial function, and the biological pathways (mechanisms) involved. Specifically, the investigators will perform a randomized, single-blind, controlled feeding crossover study design (comparing Western diet to non-Western diet consumption) in young and older, exercising and non-exercising healthy adults to determine the time course effects (temporal association) of diet on the gut microbiome and arterial function. Overall, this research has potential to establish the gut microbiome as a possible target for treating/preventing age-related arterial dysfunction and reducing the risk of age-associated cardiovascular diseases.
This study will use dual energy x-ray computed tomography (DECT) to evaluate the relationship between heterogeneous perfusion, hypoxia (low oxygen in inspired gas) and induction of pulmonary vascular dilatation to characterize emphysema susceptibility in a normal smoking population. The investigators will correlate DECT measures of perfusion with lung injury measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The investigators will study the effect of pulmonary arterial vasodilation to see if it eliminates indices of persistent lung injury in smokers that are susceptible to emphysema
The purpose of this study is to determine whether fish oil supplementation with Lovaza, formally known as Omacor will result in a significant reduction in serum triglyceride (TG), an increase in high density lipoproteins(HDL), and an improvement of endothelial dysfunction.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether nutritional (cholecalciferol) or active vitamin D (calcitriol) supplementation improves vascular endothelial function in patients with stage IIIB and IV chronic kidney disease with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. The investigators hypothesize that the use of calcitriol supplementation will result in improved vascular endothelial function as compared to cholecalciferol supplementation.
The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of febuxostat on coronary artery flow in patients with coronary artery disease.
The purpose of this study to perform a randomized, sham controlled analysis of the effectiveness of both fSWT and rWT in the relief of erectile dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
The purpose of this study is to determine the proportion of men with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that have angiographic identifiable erectile related artery (ERA) atherosclerotic disease defined as at least one ERA stenosis greater than or equal to 50% (per core lab Quantitative Vascular Analysis - QVA).
Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) has been deemed "a safe and well-tolerated procedure but its efficacy for the treatment of ED is doubtful and deserves more investigation" by the European Society of Sexual Medicine. In a similar manner, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and American Urological Association have put forth guideline statements recommending additional investigation of this treatment modality.2 The current clinical armamentarium only treats the symptoms of erectile dysfunction without improving upon the underlying pathophysiology. LiSWT has been used effectively in musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular applications. Animal studies have shown improvements in angiogenesis and stem cell recruitment in other systems (cardiac and musculoskeletal) using shockwave therapy. It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction since 2010 and is widely used in Europe and throughout the world. It is gaining widespread acceptance in the United States with a relative paucity of data in regards to its effectiveness. While the majority of studies and meta-analyses show improvements in standardized erectile dysfunction questionnaires (IIEF/SHIM-Sexual Health Inventory in Men, International Index of Erectile Function-5) the durability remains unknown and many have lacked a sham-arm. In addition, many studies have failed to assess a population of men who have highly prevalent erectile dysfunction, those men undergoing prostate cancer treatment. This is a prospective, randomized, single blind, sham-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT) on symptomatic ED patients in three distinct patient populations. LiSWT has shown the potential to improve baseline erectile function but requires further study, which is the aim of this investigation.
This clinical trial will explore the safety and effect of GCSF-mobilized autologous ex vivo selected CD34 cells for the treatment of CMD in adults currently experiencing angina and with no obstructive coronary artery disease. Eligible subjects will receive a single intracoronary infusion of CLBS16.
Subjects in this study have recently had or are scheduled for a coronary angiography as part of their normal, routine medical care. This procedure uses x-ray imaging to see the inside of the heart's blood vessels. This research study will evaluate the possible relationship between erectile dysfunction and vascular disease (diseases of the veins). In order to look at this possible relationship, subjects will complete a questionnaire which will ask questions regarding their sexual activity. Additionally, we will gather information from their medical records and take extra images during the coronary angiography procedure.
Erectile dysfunction is a common complaint and is found frequently in men with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and those who smoke. ED may also be an early warning of peripheral arterial disease. This study is designed to look for a relationship between the degree of ED and the presence of PAD when associated with co-morbid conditions.
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effects of passive calf muscle stretching in patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The main question it aims to answer are: 1. To determine if daily calf muscle stretching at home improves calf muscle and vascular health. 2. To determine if daily calf muscle stretching at home improves walking performance. Participants will use inflatable ankle splints for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 4-weeks on both days and 4-weeks of no stretching.
This is a single site, randomized exercise trial with individuals at least 50 years of age living with HIV who experience suboptimal cognition. The overall goals of this proposal are to determine whether 16 weeks of structured high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can overcome vascular and cognitive impairments (Aim 1) to a greater extent than continuous moderate exercise. Additionally, investigator will seek to identify barriers to engagement in exercise and the participants' perceptions of the study and exercise interventions (Aim 2). This study will enroll 60 participants in Birmingham, Alabama. Data collection will occur at each visit, with baseline data collected at the initial visit with a 3-month follow-up occurring following completion of the intervention.
The primary goal of this intervention is to determine the efficacy of acute mitochondrial-specific antioxidants to improve vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older (≥45 y) adults who do no perform regular aerobic exercise. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover design participants with receive both MitoQ and placebo arm of the study. Primary endpoints will include vascular endothelial function assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and cardiac function assessed via pulse wave analysis. Secondary endpoints will include measures of aortic stiffness assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid artery stiffness (e.g. β-stiffness) and elasticity (carotid compliance, distensibility, and Youngs elastic modulus) from ultrasonography.
Angina is a common clinical symptom of ischemic heart disease, affecting up to 11 million people in the United States alone, and 112 million people globally. Despite this, 4 in 10 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography for angina and ischemia do not have evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). This condition of ischemia with no obstructive CAD (INOCA) is associated with high clinical and economic morbidity, as these patients have a higher rate of repeat procedures and hospitalizations, worse quality of life, future adverse cardiovascular events and frequent time missed from work. The overall objective of this study is to develop and validate a non-invasive algorithm for diagnosis and management of patients with INOCA and suspected microvascular dysfunction centered around cardiac PET MPI. A secondary goal of the study is to assess for improvement in patient symptoms, function and quality of life from PET-guided management of CMD in patients with INOCA. This study will take place at Mount Sinai Morningside in the PET and CTunit on the 3rd floor. The sub-study will occur at Mount Sinai Morningside Cath Lab on the 3rd floor. The study will enroll an estimated total of 70 subjects, 12 of which will also participate in the sub-study. The study is estimated to last 2 years.
In a young and healthy person, the production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessel, is responsible for a) the ability of the blood vessel to dilate so it can increase its blood flow and b) act as an anti-clotting product to prevent blood clotting in those vessels. Under physiological stress either due to the development of a disease such as diabetes or simply from aging, the endothelial cells can be impacted and become dysfunctional thereby impairing their ability to make NO and even promote the development of blood clots. When such endothelial dysfunction occurs, it may be a precursor for the future development of cardiovascular (CV) disease like hypertension or even coronary artery disease later on in life in these patients. Therefore, the ability to somehow enhance the local production or availability of NO within such affected blood vessels in patients identified as prone to endothelial dysfunction could play a positive role in either preventing or delaying the onset of endothelial dysfunction and subsequent CV disease in such patients. COMP-4 is a safe, clinically available, well tolerated oral supplement that has been shown in the lab to increase NO production in a number of differing tissues including human vascular endothelial cells. In this proposed human study, the investigators plan on recruiting healthy, young participants willing to take COMP-4 for a 14 day period in whom the investigators will measure in a non-invasive way - by the use of ultrasound - the effect of COMP-4 on its ability to improve blood flow in one of the major blood vessels of the upper arm. In addition, the investigators will also determine whether COMP-4 will be capable of lowering in the blood the levels of two of the most studied inflammatory markers associated with endothelial dysfunction, IL-8 and PAI-1.
Our local IRB approved clinical studies seeking proof of principle for the hypothesis that SFN can be safely administered to humans at doses sufficient to protect age-associated cardiac dysfunctions. Beneficial effects of SFN-therapy will be assessed by Pre- and post-intervention echocardiography, and exercise endurance at 0 and 24 weeks. Peripheral blood cells from treated and control subjects will be compared for mitochondrial respiratory function, oxidative damage, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and expression of antioxidant \& anti-electrophile genes.
According to the Women's Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation database, there are approximately 3 to 4 million women and men who present with signs and symptoms that are suggestive of myocardial ischemia, however they have no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). INOCA is defined as patients presenting with signs or symptoms of ischemia but no obstructive artery disease. Women are more likely than men to die from cardiovascular disease and more likely to present with no obstructive coronary artery disease. Patients who present with signs and symptoms suggestive of INOCA/MINOCA are also presenting with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD). Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction is a dysfunction in the epicardial and/or microvascular endothelial and/or nonendothelial that limits myocardial perfusion. Today, there is no routinely offered/available noninvasive test that is used for the diagnosis of CMD, significantly hindering the ability to identify the disease in the standard of care. Magenetocardiography (MCG) has the opportunity to use its noninvasive imaging techniques to provide early management of CMD. Magnetocardiography (MCG) is a noninvasive imaging modality that has been extensively studied, over the past several decades, as a diagnostic imaging solution for various forms of cardiovascular disease. MCG measures the magnetic field that arises from the electrical activity of the heart's pacemaker activity, the very same activity which yield surface electric field potentials as measured by the electrocardiogram. Since MCG is a functional assessor of repolarization heterogeneity, it is hypothesized that MCG may be a useful frontline diagnostic to identify CMD in patients who would otherwise have normal coronary CT angiograms and/or stress tests. The proposed study intends to study the diagnostic accuracy of MCG in this population, with the goal of providing early and noninvasive insights for management of CMD. There will be a 12-month duration of the study where the investigators propose to collect MCG scans from approximately 150 patients who present to the Genetesis facility for a 15-minute CardioFlux scan appointment.
The purpose of this study is to assess if using the Impella® CP (or Impella® 2.5) device during high-risk PCI in patients with reduced left-sided heart function will result in an improvement in symptoms, heart function and health after a heart procedure compared to the current standard of care.
The purpose of this research is assess imaging and identification of soft plaque that undergoes large deformations or strain will identify plaque vulnerable to rupture which could lead to 'silent strokes'. Validation of current study results with MRI will foster use of real-time ultrasound (US) strain imaging and strain indices as a screening tool for identifying normal human participants susceptible to increased vascular aging and developing plaque prone to rupture or micro-embolization. Current research will evaluate Lagrangian carotid strain imaging (LCSI) for prediction of vascular health on volunteers. In this study, investigators will evaluate age-related strain variations (due to plaque deposition) in the carotid artery, establishing groundwork that will help identify typical and atypical values for these indices. Investigator's hypothesis is that plaques with higher strain indices (softer plaques) are more prone to rupture than plaques with lower strain indices (stiffer) plaques, thus requiring intervention. Clinical criteria for treatment has focused primarily on the degree of stenosis. Long-term objectives are to provide non-invasive methods for screening participants at risk for vascular aging or plaque rupture in asymptomatic participants, expanding upon current criteria for risk assessments based on focal transient ischemic attack (TIA) or strokes. Variations in vessel strain have been associated with, or are precursors to, plaque deposition, vascular aging, or cerebrovascular diseases. Increased arterial strain and pressure changes have been linked to brain aging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based vascular indices, and memory deficits commonly linked to Alzheimer dementia. Stiffening and thickening of the arterial walls have also been associated with cerebrovascular disease. Investigators hypothesize that strain indices as vascular biomarkers can be utilized for screening possible 'vulnerable participants' validated with MRI, with the potential ability to improve endothelial function and reverse vascular aging. Strain indices may enable differentiating study participants with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) from other dementias. Cognitive testing is unable to make this differentiation.
This clinical trial will explore the efficacy and safety of GCSF-mobilized autologous CD34+ cells for the treatment of CMD in adults currently experiencing angina and with no obstructive coronary artery disease. Eligible subjects will receive a single administration of CLBS16 or placebo.
This prospective study is a multi-center early feasibility study assessing the safety and performance of the Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System in patients with pulmonary hypertension and right heart dysfunction.
This study will include the placement of a pressure volume (PV) loop catheter in the right atrium of patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement and measure relevant PV loop data. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and pulmonary artery (PA) catheter parameters as comparators to the PV loop will be recorded.
In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling leads to supraphysiologic right ventricular (RV) afterload. Pharmacologic trials have shown that aggressive upfront treatment reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling successfully increases RV function and improves survival. To date, however, there are no proven treatments that target RV contractile function. Echocardiographic studies of RV dysfunction in the setting of pressure overload have demonstrated intra and interventricular dyssynchrony even in the absence of overt right bundle branch block (RBBB). Electrophysiologic studies of patients with chronic thromboembolic disease (CTEPH) at the time of pulmonary endarterectomy have shown prolongation of action potential and slowed conduction in the right ventricle which has correlated with echocardiographic measures of dyssynchrony. Cardiac MRI measures of RV strain in patients with PAH demonstrated simultaneous initiation of RV and left ventricular (LV) contraction, but delayed peak RV strain suggesting that interventricular dyssynchrony is a mechanical rather than electrical phenomenon. Prior studies of RV dysfunction in an animal model, computer model, congenital heart disease, and CTEPH have suggested acute hemodynamic benefits of RV pacing. However, RV pacing has not been studied in patients with PAH. Furthermore, it remains unclear if pacing particular regions of the RV can achieve a hemodynamic benefit and what cost this hemodynamic improvement may incur with regards to myocardial energetics and wall stress. Therefore, the investigators propose to examine RV electrical activation in PAH, map the area of latest activation, and then evaluate the hemodynamic and energetic effects of RV pacing in these patients.
Aging and obesity are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). One process that links both of these conditions to CVD is vascular dysfunction. Data from animal studies indicate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may play an important role in the development of endothelial dysfunction in aging and obesity. Therefore, the goal of this study is to investigate the relative contributions of aging and obesity on vascular dysfunction and ER stress. Additionally, this study will determine if taking an oral supplement for 8 weeks will improve vascular dysfunction and ER stress. Results from this study have the potential to identify a safe treatment option for improving vascular function in aging and obese populations.
Three separate interventions will be undertaken with the primary outcome of improving pulse wave velocity. Initially, age and BMI-matched men and post-menopausal women, all with type 2 diabetes, will be treated with allopurinol (20 men, 20 women) for 6 months, in order to reduce serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations relative to placebo (10 men, 10 women). In a second intervention, dietary fructose will be restricted for a period of 6 months in type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects who will maintain a stable weight (20 men, 20 women). In a third intervention, dietary fructose will be restricted for a period of 6 months in type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects who will achieve a caloric deficit and weight reduction (20 men, 20 women). At the beginning and end of each of the studies, measures of arterial stiffness will be combined with assessments of endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation and insulin stimulated leg blood flow), measurements of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
This study investigates the effect of dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation on 1) large elastic artery stiffness and hemodynamics and 2) cerebrovascular function in middle-aged and older adults. Participants will be randomized to consume either nitrate-containing or nitrate-depleted beetroot juice.
Test the theory that abnormalities in the large blood vessels that deliver blood to your leg and the very small blood vessels in your leg's muscles (invisible to the eye) work together to worsen your leg function and walking.
Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of hospitalization in the US. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by the decreased vasodilatory capacity of the vascular endothelium, is rampant in atherosclerotic diseases such as coronary artery disease and also in HF. Endothelial dysfunction also correlates with HF severity, progression, and mortality. It is postulated that endothelial dysfunction may in part be due to enhanced sympathetic drive, diminished parasympathetic drive, chronic inflammatory state thereby leading to reduced nitric oxide synthase activity in the vascular endothelium. Low-level vagus nerve stimulation (LLVNS) is an invasive way to modulate autonomic tone. Recent experimental and clinical data suggest that low-level transcutaneous vagal stimulation (TVS) (by stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve located at the tragus of the external ear) may produce the same desired neuromodulator effect compared to LLVNS. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of TVS on endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The study population will include patients with chronic HFrEF. After performing baseline flow-mediated dilation (FMD), laser speckle contrast imaging(LSCI) and pulse wave analysis (PWA) testing, patients will be randomized to TVS or sham stimulation with a crossover design at different time points. The patient randomized to TVS arm will undergo stimulation for 1 hour followed by immediate measurement of FMD,LSCI and PWA. There will be a washout period of at least 24 hours with patient crossing over to the other arms thus serving as their self-control.