15 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Early Identification of Subclinical Atherosclerosis by Noninvasive Imaging Research (EISNER) is a multi-study research program being conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The principal objective of this randomized trial (referred to as "Study 1") is to assess whether coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning provides clinical benefit thus improving patient outcomes in asymptomatic subjects with intermediate coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Additionally, the study is designed to assess the value of combining the CAC scan with the Framingham risk score (FRS) and measurements of serum or plasma biomarkers to predict outcomes.
This study will evaluate the use of cardiac CT in identifying atherosclerosis plaque in patients who have not been diagnosed with atherosclerosis and who have no symptoms of the disease but who are at risk of developing atherosclerosis based on traditional risk factors such as diabetes or a family history of coronary artery disease.
Evaluation of skin cholesterol for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals at low, intermediate, or high risk based on Framingham Global Risk estimates. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerotic burden, that independently predicts the occurrence of heart attack and stroke, will be the "gold standard" comparator. Hypothesis: Skin cholesterol, as measured by two non-invasive tests, correlates with CAD, as measured by CIMT in this population.
We will obtain data using multi-slice CT technology to detect subclinical coronary disease in the HIV population. Determination of subclinical cardiovascular disease using noninvasive technology and elucidation of the associated risk factors will help to guide targeted therapy to prevent cardiovascular events in this patient population. We will investigate the prevalence of coronary plaque lesions and coronary artery calcifications in men and women with HIV disease as determined by 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and MDCT coronary angiography in comparison to age-matched control subjects without HIV infection. We hypothesize that evidence of coronary artery calcification and coronary plaque lesions as seen by MDCT will be present in individuals with HIV more than non-HIV control subjects of the same age. We also hypothesize the degree of atherosclerosis will be increased in HIV patients compared to control subjects. We will evaluate the metabolic and inflammatory factors associated with coronary artery disease in HIV-infected individuals. We hypothesize that traditional cardiac risk factors as well as metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with HIV and its treatment such as dyslipidemia, increased secretion of inflammatory markers, decreased adiponectin, increased insulin resistance and increased visceral fat may be associated with coronary artery disease in HIV-infected individuals.
Background: Extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) send genetic data from cell to cell. This is how they affect the way cells communicate with each other. There are many types of exRNA, and they each serve different roles. But they have also been linked to some diseases. Researchers want to measure exRNAs to see how they relate to certain traits over time. They will use blood samples that were taken as part of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Objectives: To identify cross-sectional associations of exRNAs with age, sex, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Eligibility: People ages 30-70 who had blood taken as part of the FHS Third Generation cohort. Design: Researchers will study samples that have already been collected in the FHS. There will be no active participant contact for this project, only use of data that are collected as part of planned follow up from other studies. As part of the FHS, participants gave blood samples. They gave permission for the blood to be used for research. The exRNAs from the blood samples will be studied to see how they relate to certain traits. These include age, sex, and body mass index. The exRNAs will also be studied for their usefulness as biomarkers of risk for subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. No study participants will be contacted for this study....
The potential for nattokinase to "thin" blood and to reduce blood clotting by positive antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects presents a unique opportunity to safely study such effects on cardiovascular disease and cognition. Unfortunately, such studies of antithrombotic and fibrinolytic pathways of prevention have been limited due to lack of safe compounds and the adverse reactions associated with current agents such as Coumadin. Nattokinase, an over-the-counter supplement used for cardiovascular health, is the most active functional constituent of natto, a fermented soy product. Natto has been consumed primarily by the Japanese for over 1000 years, a population with one of the lowest risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Cardiovascular disease and dementia remain the most challenging age-related health risks of the 21st century for Americans necessitating development of further effective preemptive strategies. Whether reducing the propensity for thrombus formation and/or increasing fibrinolytic activity can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline has not yet been determined. Using nattokinase under primary prevention conditions, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether decreasing atherothrombotic risk can reduce the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. The investigators propose to randomize 240 healthy non-demented women and men to nattokinase supplementation or to placebo for three years. The primary trial endpoints will be measurement of carotid arterial wall thickness and arterial stiffness, early changes of atherosclerosis that can be measured safely by non-invasive imaging techniques. The secondary trial endpoint will be ascertained through change in cognition measured by a neuropsychological battery. In addition, biochemical blood measurements and in vitro studies will be conducted to compare the effects of nattokinase relative to placebo on blood coagulation and thrombus break-down capabilities, blood flow properties, inflammation and inflammatory activation of endothelial cells that line blood vessels.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for 30% of all deaths in the United States. This study will examine how risk factors for heart disease in young and middle aged people affect people's health as they grow older.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether knowledge of abnormal results from a noninvasive test for detection of subclinical atherosclerosis (carotid intima media thickness \[CIMT\]), in addition to knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, enhances adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors in comparison to only CVD risk factor knowledge. We believe that participants with CVD risk factors who have knowledge of their own CIMT test results showing significant subclinical atherosclerosis will demonstrate better adherence to therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) than those subjects from whom the CIMT test information is withheld.
The goal of this double-blind randomized controlled trial is to determine how treatment with high intensity statin, low-dose colchicine, and their combination modulates progression and composition of coronary atherosclerosis in individuals with high polygenic risk for coronary artery disease.
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.
The study will evaluate the clinical utilization of skin Cholesterol (SC) for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals at low, intermediate and high risk based on Framingham global risk estimates. Preliminary studies have suggested that SC is an easy to measure, noninvasive marker of cardiovascular risk. This study is intended to provide further data in support of broader clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for the use of SC as a tool to identify asymptomatic patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Currently, SC testing is cleared for use as part of risk assessment in subject suspected of having significant multi-vessel disease. The current study data will be used to support the use of SC testing as part of cardiovascular risk assessment in subjects without suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
This study will look at how chronic inflammation seen in psoriatic disease translates into the increased atherosclerotic and thrombotic risk and how treatment reduces this CVD risk. The Aim of this study is to 1) Evaluate the association between moderate to severe psoriatic disease and measures of vascular function. 2) Evaluate the association between moderate to severe psoriatic disease and measures of thrombotic risk. 3) Understand how traditional medications used in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention such as aspirin and statins affect vascular function and thrombotic risk in those with moderate to severe psoriatic disease.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether soy supplementation can reduce hardening of the arteries and cognitive decline in postmenopausal women.
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of oral 17B-estradiol (estrogen) on the progression of early (subclinical) atherosclerosis and cognitive decline in healthy postmenopausal women.
The purpose of BEHHS is first to assess the baseline sub-clinical disease in a population of Baptist Health Employees who have Metabolic Syndrome, a known contributor to cardiovascular disease. Second, the investigators wish to encourage a healthy lifestyle through personalized nutrition and fitness advice, delivered as part of a web based program, which will in turn lead to increases in heart healthy behaviors such as increased consumption of heart healthy foods, increased exercise initiation, and more positive attitudes about health. To assess this, the investigators plan to randomize 200 employees with Metabolic Syndrome to either the new web-based diet and lifestyle program, or to care-as-usual, which is the currently offered MyWellnessAdvantage and WebMD websites. The investigators hypothesize that the web-based group will show greater improvements in physical health (such as weight loss, cholesterol reduction, etc.) as well as increased consumption of heart healthy foods, exercise initiation, and quality of sleep as measured by surveys administered at the 4,8, and 12 month follow-up appointments.