5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Hemodialysis is a therapy that filters waste, removes extra fluid and balances electrolytes. In hemodialysis, blood is removed from the body and filtered through a man-made membrane called a dialyzer, and then the filtered blood is returned to the body. Hemodialysis is associated with injury to the heart muscle called myocardial stunning. This may occur for many reasons, including removal of fluid during dialysis or low blood pressure. Initial ischemia and subsequent white blood cell infiltration into the injured myocardium play a critical role in the degree of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. In this study an additional man made membrane (selective cytopheretic device) and tubing will be added to the dialysis circuit. The device shifts the circulating white blood cells pool to a less inflammatory phenotype. Researchers believe the selective cytopheretic device will alter the phenotype of circulating white blood cells which play a role in myocardial stunning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the selective cytopheretic device will reduce myocardial stunning events in hemodialysis patients. It will also report the rate of adverse events.
This study aims to confirm the safety and efficacy of diazoxide as an additive to hyperkalemic cardioplegia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The investigators hypothesize that diazoxide combined with hyperkalemic cardioplegia provides superior myocardial protection and reduced myocardial stunning compared with standard cardioplegia alone. Thirty patients will receive treatment. Safety will be assessed by comparing mean arterial blood pressure measurements, glucose levels and incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing right and left ventricular function in pre-operative vs post-operative transesophageal echocardiograms, need for mechanical circulatory support, ease of separation from bypass and Vasoactive Inotrope Score (VIS) between the two groups. The information gained could pave the way for the use of Katp (Potassium-atp) channel openers to prevent stunning, improve patient outcomes, and reduce health care costs related to myocardial stunning that requires inotropic and mechanical support following cardiac surgery.
This study aims to confirm the safety and efficacy of diazoxide as an additive to hyperkalemic cardioplegia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The investigators hypothesize that diazoxide combined with hyperkalemic cardioplegia provides superior myocardial protection and reduced myocardial stunning compared with standard cardioplegia alone. The investigators will randomize 30 patients in a 2:1 fashion to treatment vs control. Safety will be assessed by comparing mean arterial blood pressure measurements, glucose levels and incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing right and left ventricular function in pre-operative vs post-operative transesophageal echocardiograms, need for mechanical circulatory support, ease of separation from bypass and Vasoactive Inotrope Score (VIS) between the two groups. The information gained could pave the way for the use of Katp (Potassium-atp) channel openers to prevent stunning, improve patient outcomes, and reduce health care costs related to myocardial stunning that requires inotropic and mechanical support following cardiac surgery.
Hemorrhagic Myocardial infarctions are at high risk for mechanical complications including cardiac rupture. Prediction of vulnerable myocardial segments is an important step for the stratification of hemorrhagic MI patients. Wall motion index ratio is an important parameter to determine regions of high vulnerability within the 17-segment LV model of hemorrhagic MI.
This study is designed to examine the blood flow, the nutrition, and the beating function of the heart under different conditions. Patients with narrowed coronary arteries my have restricted blood flow to the heart. The lowered blood supply to the heart muscle may not cause symptoms immediately. However, as the heart pumps faster and harder the blood supply demand is increased. If blood flow is unable supply enough oxygen and nutrition to heart muscle patients can experience symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath. Even after the heart slows down and demand for oxygen and nutrition is reduced, patients can still experience pain and abnormal heart function. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in blood flow and the beating function of the heart during periods of increased demands (such as exercise) and shortly after stopping exercise. Blood flow to the heart will be measured by positron emission tomography (PET scan). The PET scan is a test where a small amount of radioactive water is injected into the bloodstream and pictures of the heart are taken by the special camera. This procedure allows researchers to measure blood flow to heart muscle. In order to measure nutrition (metabolism) of the heart muscle, researchers will use a radioactive substance similar to sugar (Fluorodeoxyglucose). Results of this study may provide important information about the activity and function of heart muscle after exercise in patients suffering from coronary artery disease.