151 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The current standard of care for patients who underwent left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is to have follow-up transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) for device surveillance. TEE is an ultrasound of the heart done by placing a probe in the esophagus under conscious sedation. It does not use contrast but can be cumbersome to patients as it involves placing a probe in the esophagus. Cardiac computerized tomography angiography (cardiac CTA) is a non-invasive imaging modality that involves the use of certain types of x-rays, contrast (dye) and special computers to generate accurate images of the heart. Participants in this study will undergo both TEE and CTA on the same day 90 days after their LAAC procedure. Participants will be in this research study for a period of 1 year, starting from the day of their scheduled LAAC procedure. Participants will undergo a TEE at 90 days after their procedure which is the standard of care imaging study after LAAC. As part of this study, participants will also undergo a cardiac CTA at 90 days as well. Participants will have a routine follow-up visit following device placement as per standard of care as well as a brief phone "check in" at 1 year.
Early detection of coronary atherosclerotic disease facilitates adequate prevention. The purpose of this study is to compare an assessment of coronary atherosclerotic disease burden by positron emission tomography / computed tomography (NaF-PET/CT) with those of conventional and ultra-high-resolution-CT (UHR-CT) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. For this purpose, the investigators plan to include 33 patients with symptoms concerning for CAD who have been referred for cardiac CT testing.
The primary objective of this study is to collect CT scan data without ECG-leads attached to the human subject. This data is intended to represent a typical range of clinical scenarios in which Cardiac CT imaging is used.
Background: Doctors use computed tomography (CT) to get detailed pictures of the heart. CT uses x-rays to gather raw data. Computers assemble this data to make the images doctors look at. A new computer technique can make higher resolution images from the same CT scans. In this natural history study, researchers will take normal CT images of the heart. They will compare those images to super high-resolution (super high-res) images made with a super-computer. Objective: To improve the quality of heart CT scans by using new methods to create the images. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older who need a CT scan for heart disease. Design: Participants will have a normal CT scan. A substance will be injected through a tube in their arm. They will lie on a table in a large, donut-shaped machine. An X-ray tube will move around their body, taking many pictures. Researchers will use the normal CT scans to create super high-res images. They may do this at the NIH. They may also send the images to the company that made the CT scanner. Participants personal information will be removed before images are sent to the company. The personal information will be replaced by a code. The super high-res images will be returned to the NIH. Some information will be collected from participants medical records. Researchers will compare the normal scans to the super high-res images. Participants' own doctors will also have a chance to see the super high-res images. Participants' CT pictures will be stored and used for future NIH research.
The broad, long-term objective of this pilot study is to develop an optimal, clinically usable, non-invasive evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in the setting of stable angina which provides both anatomic and functional information. Patients already scheduled to undergo Invasive coronary catheterization (ICA) for the clinical indication of angina will be recruited to under go stress-rest Positron Emission Tomography-Coronary CT Angiography-Fractional Flow Reserve (PET-cCTA-cFFR)
The overall objective of CONFIRM2 is to perform the largest cardiovascular phenotype outcomes study ever.
This study evaluates the safety of iodinated contrast medium administered to liver transplant candidates with decreased renal function undergoing coronary CT angiography. Incidence of post-contrast acute kidney injury in liver transplant candidates with decreased renal function and normal renal function will be compared.
Background: CCTA is a common way to evaluate coronary artery disease. It stands for coronary computed tomography angiography. It uses scanning to look at the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is noninvasive, widely available, and generally accurate. But it does expose people to radiation. Exposure to high amounts of radiation can increase a person s risk of getting cancer. Researchers want to learn more about the relationship between CCTA and radiation exposure. Objective: To see how much radiation is used to take pictures of the heart and how measures to reduce radiation are used around the world. Eligibility: People ages 18 years and older who need a computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Participants may have a pregnancy test. Participants will have the scheduled scan. Small, sticky discs will be placed on the chest. A small tube will be placed into a vein in the arm. A contrast material (dye) will be given through it. Participants will lie on the CT scanning table. A CCTA scan usually takes about 15 minutes if the heart rate is slow and steady.
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before kidney transplantation require that obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is excluded, as cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of mortality in kidney transplant patients. However, in this patient population, the optimal method for the detection of obstructive CAD has not been identified. Noninvasive stress tests such as Dobutamine stress echocardiography or nuclear perfusion study have low diagnostic accuracy. CT fractional flow reserve measurement (CT FFR) is a novel non-invasive (FDA approved) imaging test to identify obstructive CAD. The goal of this project is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT FFR in the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease before kidney transplantation.
The "Prospective Multicenter Registry On RadiaTion Dose Estimates Of Cardiac CT AngIOgraphy IN Daily Practice in 2017" (PROTECTION-VI) study is a prospective registry and investigator-initiated initiative without third-party funding, which will collect and analyze the radiation dose exposure of Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiographic (CCTA) studies in current daily practice worldwide. Particularly, the study will assess the use of strategies for dose reduction during CCTA. A decade ago, the multicentre observational PROTECTION-I study has revealed that the dose-length-product of CCTA ranges between 568 - 1259 mGy x cm with a median of 885 mGy x cm. This corresponds to an estimated effective dose of approximately 12 mSv. Since then a variety of techniques have been developed and enhanced in order to reduce radiation exposure during CCTA. Recent studies demonstrated feasibility of dramatically reduced effective radiation doses during CCTA (0,1 - 0,3 mSv). This has been executed in small cohorts of patients at scientific expert centers. However, it remains unclear, if such low-level radiation dose exposure may be achieved in clinical routine and if diagnostic image quality is maintained. In order to analyze the magnitude of radiation dose exposure of CCTA in today's clinical practice and the current use of dose-saving techniques, we designed the PROTECTION-VI study. Eventually, this study may contribute to further improving radiation dose exposure for patients undergoing CCTA.
To evaluate image quality of coronary CT angiography (cCTA) after sublingual and transdermal administration of Nitroglycerin. Aim of this prospective research study is to investigate equivalence on image quality after sublingual or transdermal Nitroglycerin administration (H0). Furthermore, the feasibility of transdermal Nitroglycerin administration will be evaluated.
Serial assessment of angina status and ischemia on stress echo over one year among patients with moderate ischemia on stress imaging and non-obstructive CAD on coronary CT angiography.
Coronary CT angiography is used to examine the coronary arteries in a non-invasive way when a patient is suspected of having coronary artery disease. The test, however, requires relatively high levels of radiation, which have been linked to DNA damage and cancer, and the use of contrast material, which can affect kidney function. The SOMATOM Force, a new third-generation CT scanner manufactured by Siemens, was recently installed at MUSC and holds the potential to obtain quality images while also reducing radiation dose and contrast material. This study aims to test the diagnostic ability of the SOMATOM Force in detecting coronary artery disease and also see if radiation dose and contrast material are reduced compared to the previous 2nd generation scanners. It is suspected that the Force will provide clinical quality images while decreasing radiation dose and contrast material required.
Coronary calcium hampers accurate evaluation of the coronary arteries with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). A novel approach to potentially overcome this limitation is coronary calcium subtraction. The primary hypothesis of the study is: - Coronary calcium subtraction CCTA will improve diagnostic accuracy as compared to conventional CCTA on a per-patient basis
This study looked at the role of cardiac CT in improving risk factor control in those with diabetes.
The CONFIRM study was developed to examine the prognostic value of cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) findings for prediction of future adverse cardiac events related to coronary artery disease (CAD) in a large, international patient population. The purpose of this multicenter registry is to correlate coronary and non-coronary cardiac findings by CCTA with demographic and clinical data for refinement of risk stratification of individuals with suspected or known CAD.
This purpose of this research project is to test the diagnostic accuracy (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and receiver operator curve area under the curve) of cardiac computed tomography (CT) perfusion as compared to the best non-invasive test of blood flow -- cardiac positron emission transmission (PET) perfusion imaging. The primary outcome of the study is to determine the CT perfusion technique with the highest overall diagnostic accuracy measured by the highest area under the receiver operator curve. The investigators will test 4 different CT perfusion techniques. (A) Qualitative, visual inspection of the contrast-enhanced CT images (B) Enhanced voxel distribution analysis (C) Rate of myocardial contrast enhancement analysis (D) Quantitative heart blood flow using a distributed 2-region analysis A second aim is to reduce the radiation dose needed to maintain CT perfusion diagnostic accuracy. Using the CT perfusion data, the investigators will model the minimal number of cardiac cycle radiation exposures needed to keep the diagnostic accuracy similar to the full data set. A third aim is to test the incremental diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography plus CT perfusion to identify regions of low blood flow as compared to PET perfusion alone.
The investigators goals are: 1. to develop software for quantitative volumetric analysis of myocardial perfusion from MDCT images 2. to test its ability to accurately determine the presence, location, extend and severity of perfusion abnormalities in agreement with conventional diagnostic techniques (ICA and MPI) in patients with normal and abnormal coronary arteries and/or perfusion patterns 3. to test this approach in patients undergoing vasodilator stress tests with MDCT imaging in combination with the new vasodilator stress agent Regadenoson.
This study will evaluate the impact of adding coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) on health care costs for diagnosing patients with acute chest pain.
The overall goal of this study is to determine if non-invasive imaging with state of the art CT coronary angiography can be used to screen for coronary artery disease in high risk patients prior to liver and lung transplantation. The current protocol for coronary artery disease assessment at UCSF before liver and lung transplantation involves screening with stress tests and/or coronary angiograms in patients with increased risk of coronary artery disease. Coronary angiogram will be used as gold standard for assessment of coronary CTA accuracy.
This study is designed to evaluate a new approach to the diagnosis of chronic or sub-acute chest pain patients in the out-patient setting. Patients in this study are selected to be "low-risk", meaning they are not having an acute or recent heart attack (AMI), based on screening blood tests and electrocardiograms (EKGs). In addition, these patients have a low or intermediate pre-test likelihood of the coronary artery disease (CAD), which means that probability of the CAD based on the available clinical and historical information, does not make a diagnosis of the CAD a certain clinical diagnosis in the particular patient and this, in turn, requires an additional diagnostic work up.
The current outpatient evaluation for angina in low and intermediate risk patients typically starts with a functional assessment for coronary ischemia. Exercise treadmill testing is often selected as the initial diagnostic modality for coronary artery function. However, exercise treadmill testing is limited by its moderate sensitivity and specificity, often resulting in further cardiac resource utilization for patient risk stratification and reassurance. With the advent of coronary multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography, coronary artery anatomy can now be evaluated noninvasively. Despite its impressive performance characteristics, the role of coronary MSCT angiography in the outpatient evaluation of angina remains undefined. CT-EXTRA compares the impact on patient safety and downstream resource utilization of a novel initial diagnostic strategy employing the addition of coronary MSCT angiography to exercise treadmill testing with a standard diagnostic strategy of exercise treadmill testing for the ambulatory evaluation of low-intermediate risk patients with possible angina. The study is a single center, prospective, non-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Men and women, age 18-70, with a low to intermediate pretest probability of coronary artery disease who are referred for an exercise treadmill test for angina are eligible. Subjects are randomized either to an initial diagnostic strategy of exercise treadmill testing or exercise treadmill testing with coronary MSCT angiography. Subsequent diagnostic testing and treatment are the discretion of the referring physician. Subjects will be clinically followed for 24 months. The clinical impact on patient safety and downstream clinical resource utilization of this novel diagnostic strategy in which both coronary artery anatomy and function are initially evaluated will be determined. The primary outcome is a composite endpoint consisting of freedom from adverse cardiac events, further cardiac diagnostic testing, and future cardiac clinical encounters. Secondary outcomes include the impact on the indiscriminate use of coronary angiography, subject anxiety, depression, motivation for healthy behavioral change, and satisfaction with diagnostic evaluation and use of antiplatelet and antilipid therapy. Lastly, the cost effectiveness of the routine addition of coronary MSCT angiography in the outpatient evaluation of possible angina will be determined.
We are evaluating a new computer software package to help us acquire and interpret heart CT studies, which is the purpose of this research project. We plan to compare the acquiring and analysis of heart artery calcium scores and CT angiograms (scans of the heart arteries) with the new SYNGO Somaris/7 Cardiac software to our previous experience with the the existing Siemens software and the TeraRecon software (current software used in the Cardiovascular MR/CT lab). The main objective of this study is to provide information to Siemens regarding the ease of use and capability of the scanner's software. The goal of this study is to determine whether the acquisition and interpretation information with the new software functionally meets the guidelines specified by Siemens, and also to determine whether the software is equivalent or superior to previous versions we used from April 2004 to April 2006.
To compare computed tomography (CT) images (pictures) of the coronary arteries using the General Electric (GE) LightSpeed VCT scanner with x-ray coronary angiography in patients referred for an x-ray coronary angiography.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the SoundBite™ Crossing System - Coronary (SCS-C) in a subject population with chronic coronary artery disease including Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO).
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a certain contrast agent (iodixanol) to two other commonly used contrast agents called Iopamidol (Isovue) and iohexol (Omnipaque), on heart and kidney safety in patients undergoing a cardiac CT angiogram. The investigators will evaluate whether iodixanol 320 (Visipaque®), an iso-osmolar agent, is better tolerated (flushing, injection site pain/warmth, headache, nausea) and provides equal image quality compared with iohexol 350 (Omnipaque®) and Isovue 370 during 64-slice multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA). A fourth group (Visipaque 270) will be included, using low radiation dose technology during acquisition, to evaluate image quality, tolerability, and contrast enhancement compared to both Visipaque 320 and Omnipaque and Isovue. In addition to image quality, tolerability, and contrast enhancement, the investigators will evaluate heart rate, adverse events, reimaging, costs, and patient satisfaction among all four cohorts. The study will recruit 400 participants already undergoing CT angiography and consent and randomize them to one of four groups. Each of the possible contrast agents used are commonly used for CT angiography, so the primary risk is loss of confidentiality and being asked questions about tolerability. All other facets of the study (3 lead ECG, beta blockade, nitroglycerine use, CT angiography and contrast administration) are standard of care and being done for clinical uses.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of coronary CT angiogram (CCTA) as a superior guide for the assessment of coronary artery plaque and guiding treatment decisions. The investigators also assess the impact of preventive cardiovascular drugs on the plaque to improve patient outcomes. Participants aged 18-80 years, at intermediate or high-risk for coronary artery disease, with non-obstructive plaque on initial CCTA, will be enrolled in this study. They will be randomized into Standard of Care (SOC) vs. Aggressive Therapy (AT) groups. Both groups will undergo dietary and lifestyle interventions. Follow-up will consist of blood tests and clinic visits at baseline, 9 months, and 18 months. The second CCTA will be performed at 18 months to assess the change in plaque burden, characteristics, ischemia and pericoronary/epicardial fat.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a novel plaque-based coronary CT angiography (CCTA) fractional flow reserve (FFRct) software device for the estimation of invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR). Researchers will compare the Elucid plaque-based FFRct analysis to invasively measured FFR in patients who have previously undergone CCTA and invasively assessed FFR.
This is a randomized pilot study of Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) for coronary atherosclerosis vs. Usual Care in patients with prostate cancer who are either planning to begin, or are currently taking androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) .
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the impact of disclosing a high polygenic risk result for coronary artery disease on change in cardiovascular health over one year.