Clinical Research Directory

"Community-based, eHealth Supported Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors by Lay Village Health Workers (ComBaCaL aHT TwiC 1 & ComBaCaL aHT TwiC 2)

ComBaCaL aHT TwiC 1 and aHT TwiC 2 are two cluster-randomized controlled trials that are identical in intervention, design and endpoints. TwiC 1 enrols individuals with uncomplicated aHT with baseline BP values above treatment targets and the hypothesis is that in intervention clusters where community-based treatment is offered, a higher proportion will have controlled aHT at twelve months' follow-up as compared to control clusters where participants are referred to the facility for further care after diagnosis. TwiC 2 enrols individuals with uncomplicated pharmacologically controlled aHT with the hypothesis that the offer of community-based antihypertensive treatment is non-inferior to facility-based care with regard to BP control rates at twelve months. The trials are nested within the ComBaCaL (Community-Based Chronic disease care Lesotho) cohort study (EKNZ ID 2022-00058, clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05596773), a platform for the investigation of chronic diseases and their management in rural Lesotho that is maintained by local chronic care village health workers (CC-VHWs). 50% of the villages being part of the overarching ComBaCaL cohort will be randomly allocated to receive the TwiC intervention. The non-selected villages will serve as comparators and follow the regular ComBaCaL cohort activities conducted by CC-VHWs, including screening, diagnosis, standardized counselling and referral to a health facility for further therapeutic management. The TwiC intervention will be offered to all eligible people living with aHT in the sampled intervention villages. Individuals with uncomplicated uncontrolled and uncomplicated controlled aHT at baseline will be enrolled in aHT TwiC 1 and aHT 2 respectively. In case of complicated disease, unclear diagnosis, or presence of clinical alarm signs or symptoms, participants will be referred to the closest health facility for further investigation.

Screening for Cardiac and Cardiac-associated Pathology Using Single-channel Electrocardiogram

It is a prospective, controlled, single-center, observational, non-randomized study. The study is planned to include at least 4000 patients 18 years old and older in the training sample and 1000 patients over 18 years old in the test sample (the total number of patients is at least 5000 people). Patients will be included in the study if they have undergone a full examination (laboratory, clinical and instrumental), allowing for the verification or exclusion of cardiac and cardiac-associated pathology in accordance with current recommendations. During the course of the study, the authors of the work do not interfere with the above-mentioned scope of the examination, which is carried out on patients in accordance with clinical guidelines. All patients included in the study will undergo ECG recording in standard lead I for 1 minute twice, followed by spectral analysis of the obtained data, which will be stored at the remote monitoring center of Sechenov University without being linked to the personal data of patients. A spectral analysis of the electrocardiogram will be performed using a continuous wavelet transform. The result of this study will be the identification of ECG parameters that will correlate with cardiac and cardiac-associated pathology

Improving Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis and Treatment in Kazakhstan Using Metabolic Correction With GLP-1 Drugs

This clinical study aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Kazakhstan by Implementing Metabolic Correction with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1). These medicines are called incretin-based therapies and include GLP-1 receptor agonists and a newer dual therapy that targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Such medications have already shown benefits in lowering blood sugar, reducing body weight, improving blood pressure, and lowering the risk of serious heart complications. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are among the most common health problems in Kazakhstan. Many patients remain undiagnosed or receive treatment only after their condition becomes severe. This study seeks to address these challenges by testing how well dual incretin therapy works in improving heart health, blood sugar control, and overall metabolic status in adults who have both chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Participants in the study will receive a detailed health evaluation at the beginning, including heart tests, blood work, and genomic profiling. Genomic testing will help researchers understand whether certain genetic features affect how patients respond to this therapy. After the initial assessment, participants will start treatment with a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist and will be monitored every few months for a total of 40 weeks. During these visits, their heart function, blood sugar levels, weight, and other health indicators will be checked to ensure both safety and effectiveness. The main hypothesis of the study is that dual incretin therapy will improve heart function, reduce cardiometabolic risks, and show measurable benefits in patients with both chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes. The study also assumes that a person's genetic profile may influence how well they respond to treatment. By the end of the project, researchers hope to better understand how these medications work in the Kazakhstani population and to use these findings to support more personalized, effective, and modern approaches to treating cardiovascular diseases.

Observational Study to Validate a Family Physician Echocardiography Training Programme

Observational Study on the Validation of Family Doctors' Training in Echocardiography The Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine (CAMFiC) developed a structured training program for Family Physicians in focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS). This study evaluates GP FoCUS performance against comprehensive echocardiography and assesses training competence. Developed between September 2023 and November 2025 (92 hours total, including 70 hours supervised practice), participants perform FoCUS on patients with suspected cardiac pathology. The study measures concordance between GP FoCUS and cardiologist echocardiography, and evaluates FoCUS integration into primary care pathways to enhance diagnostic capacity for common cardiac conditions.

Observational Study for the Characterisation of Patients Affected by Any Type of Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders

The main objective of this retrospective and prospective observational register is to identify anthropometric, clinical, laboratory and/or instrumental markers of disease severity and activity in patients suffering from diabetes, endocrine-metabolic disorders, rare diseases in order to improve their diagnosis, monitoring and treatment processes. The Registry is monocentric, observational prospective and retrospective. No additional procedures to those of normal clinical practice are planned, and neither diagnostic approaches nor experimental drugs/prescriptions will be applied. The data under study (demographic, anthropometric, clinical and care characteristics) will be collected as part of outpatient visits of the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic or admission to Diabetes Day Hospital. In case of outpatients, the observation will start at the diagnosis or during the first outpatient visit and will end with the last outpatient visit performed within the total time foreseen for the duration of the study. The study will start once the regulatory authorizations are completed, and is expected to last at least 10 years with the possibility of extension

REnal Denervation After Stroke (REDs) Study - A Randomized Clinical Trial of Renal Denervation in the Subacute Phase of Stroke

The REnal Denervation after stroke (REDs) study is a national, multicenter, investigator-initiated randomized controlled clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) performed in the subacute phase of stroke among patients with drug-resistant hypertension. Conducted across 15 Italian centers, this pragmatic trial adopts a parallel-group design with participants randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either RDN using the Symplicity Spyral system or standard care. Randomization will occur via a secure online platform, and the intervention will be performed within 24 hours post-randomization, adhering to a standardized procedural protocol. The trial targets adult patients aged 18 to 84 years who have experienced a stroke 7 to 45 days prior to enrollment and present with persistent systolic hypertension (≥140 mmHg) or a non-dipping profile on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, despite the use of at least two antihypertensive medications at maximum tolerated doses. Following informed consent and verification of eligibility, enrolled patients will undergo baseline assessments including physical examination, laboratory testing, ECG, stroke severity and disability scoring, and quality of life evaluation. The total duration of the REDs study is 48 months, encompassing a 24-month enrollment window and a 24-month follow-up period. Study endpoints, including 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and secondary clinical and functional outcomes, will be evaluated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months following the intervention. These follow-up assessments will be conducted through hospital visits or teleconsultations as appropriate. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure 12 months after randomization. Secondary endpoints include diastolic and mean arterial pressure, antihypertensive medication burden, time to blood pressure control, functional neurological scores (NIHSS, mRS), quality of life metrics, and stroke recurrence. Data collection will be managed via an electronic case report form (eCRF), and adverse events will be monitored throughout the study in line with ISO14155 and GCP standards. This trial is supported by an unrestricted grant from Medtronic and adheres to ethical guidelines as outlined by the Declaration of Helsinki and GDPR. The REDs study aims to generate clinically relevant evidence to support the integration of RDN into secondary prevention strategies for stroke patients with resistant hypertension.

Telemonitoring in Arterial Hypertension

Prospective, randomized trial to assess the effects of a telemedical approach of antihypertensive treatment in comparison with standard care. Total patient number: 60 patients. * Intervention group: biweekly telephone calls * Control group: standard of care

Effect of Nitrate Supplementation on Blood Pressure and Microvascular Function of Resistant Hypertensive Patients

Arterial hypertension (AH) has been identified as an important public health problem and considered a new epidemic with high mortality and morbidity. High blood pressure (BP) levels increase the chances of coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), stroke, chronic renal failure (CRF) and death. Beetroot powder may be an easier way to increase the availability of nitric oxide and consequently vasodilation in these patients. However, studies are needed to evaluate its benefits in patients with AH.

Evaluation of Systemic Microvascular Reactivity in Patients With Resistant Hypertension

Systemic arterial hypertension is a serious health problem worldwide. In some cases, it can phenotypically present as resistant arterial hypertension, which consists of blood pressure levels outside the treatment goals in patients using three or more classes of antihypertensive drugs, one of which is preferably a thiazide diuretic. Resistant hypertension contributes to a 47% higher risk of developing cardiovascular events when compared to patients with non-resistant hypertension. It is known that the microcirculation plays a relevant role in the pathophysiology of arterial hypertension. Furthermore, it is known that the cutaneous microvascular network is an adequate model and that it reflects the systemic microcirculation. In this sense, the present research proposes the study of cutaneous capillary density - through high resolution intravital microscopy - and of the endothelium-dependent and independent microvascular vasodilator response - by the speckle laser flowmetry method coupled to a pharmacological system of micro- iontophoresis - in patients diagnosed with resistant hypertension, with the aim of identifying changes in comparison with patients with non-resistant hypertension and normotensive individuals. Additionally, the evaluation of the association between systemic microvascular function and the presence of target organ lesions in this population may indicate that this is a new non-invasive way of stratifying cardiovascular risk in these individuals.

Prevalence, Incidence and Risk Signature of Chronic Kidney Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of CKD is increasing worldwide and is assumed to also dramatically increase in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Key shortcomings of available data on CKD in SSA are as follows: (i) Available data are based on single measurements and, therefore, cannot distinguish between harmless transient deterioration in kidney function and chronic kidney damage; (ii) Accurate information regarding renal protein loss, an important and early marker of kidney disease, is lacking; (iii) Cardiovascular risk factors for CKD, such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, are often not searched for. Likewise non-classic potential risk factors, such as endemic infectious diseases, socioeconomic status and lifestyle have not been consistently recorded; (iv) Information to interrogate linked interaction over time between risk factors and development of CKD is unavailable. With this project, situated in a region representative of semi-rural SSA, we aim to fill this knowledge gap and (i) establish guideline conform prevalence data of CKD and its major cardiovascular risk factors, as well as (ii) prospectively define the incidence of cardiovascular- and non-classic risk factors of CKD. The data from (i) and (ii) is used to develop predictive models. A prospective cohort of 1200 individuals in a primary care facility will serve as study population. The population is representing a society in transition from rural to more urban lifestyle. In the pilot study, participants will be followed for one years and undergo the clinical and biomedical testing required to capture CKD and its classic and non-classic risk factors over time.

Trans-resveratrol's Influence on the Development of CHF in Early Postmenopausal Women with HTN and Reduced BMD

1. To measure the ability of trans-resveratrol to influence the development of chronic heart failure (CHF) in women in the early postmenopausal period (1-4 years) with hypertension (HTN) and reduced bone mineral density (BMD). 2. To evaluate the safety of long-term use of trans-resveratrol in an amount of 500 mg per day. 3. To develop modern measures to influence the development of CHF in women of this group

Treatment Hypertension to Recommended Levels in Old Patients

After checking the patient characteristics to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and confirming the ability to complete the questionnaires provided by the study protocol, patients will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: a group with a higher target BP level (less than 135 mmHg) and a lower target BP level (less than 125 mmHg). Achievement of target BP levels will be assessed using a remote monitoring system. The study will identify factors that prevent achievement of target BP levels, as well as assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of antihypertensive therapy (AHT).

Reliability of Multiple-Repetition-Maximum Tests in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease or Risk Factors

Exercise training is a cornerstone in the prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease. While research has primarily focused on endurance training, resistance training becomes more and more important. The gold standard to prescribe resistance training intensity or monitor longitudinal changes is the 1-Repetition-Maximum (1-RM) test. However, particularly for unexperienced individuals, this test may not be recommendable due to the high load and an increased risk of injuries. Alternatively, there are several published formulas to estimate the 1-RM based on a multiple-repetition-maximum (or repetition-to-failure) test. However, these formulas have been primarily tested in healthy individuals. Moreover, the reliability of the 1-RM estimation based on two tests with different submaximal weight is unknown. Therefore, the present study evaluates the agreement of the 1-RM estimation (based on different formulas) between two Multiple-RM tests with different weight in 50 patients with cardiovascular disease (heart failure, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation) or cardiovascular risk factors (type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension).

Hypertension Registry: Study of Primary and Secondary Hypertension Phenotypes, Complications, and Treatment Personalization.

The quality of primary healthcare systems for patients with hypertension (HTA) in Morocco is a critical issue due to its high prevalence and significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The concept of "quality in primary care" encompasses fundamental aspects such as timeliness, accessibility, and the provision of care based on current clinical guidelines and recommendations from professional societies. This observational study on hypertension (HTA) uses an electronic registry accessible remotely to collect medical data from primary care and hospital settings. Investigators will be trained to ensure standardization in blood pressure measurements to minimize errors. The registry will include clinical, therapeutic, and complication data for patients aged 18 and over with a confirmed diagnosis of HTA, with information transmitted anonymously via a certified secure channel. Informed consent from patients will be required for including their data in the registry. Collected data will include anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index), blood pressure measurements by validated devices or ambulatory measurements, and metabolic assessments (blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, urea, creatinine, uric acid, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio). Cardiovascular complications will also be recorded. The study design is a cohort study with a cross-sectional perspective and a targeted follow-up period of one year. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence and phenotypes of HTA in Morocco, as well as the geographic distribution of the disease. It will compare current data with those from previous years and other North African countries to assess the applicability of Moroccan clinical practices and recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The goal is to enhance the understanding and management of HTA, as well as to optimize prevention and treatment strategies. This comprehensive analysis will help identify potential gaps in primary care and develop strategies to improve the management of hypertensive patients. The comparative evaluation of data related to examinations, treatments, and complications of the cohort of patients followed for hypertension during the period 2024-2026, in comparison with results from previous years and other countries, will provide valuable insights into the shortcomings and progress in care delivery. This approach will not only identify areas needing improvement but also highlight significant advances in hypertension management.

Telemedical Algorithm-Supported Care for Hypertension

Hypertension is a major global health issue, affecting around 9 million people in Poland. While some studies indicate that telemonitoring benefits patients with hypertension, there is a lack of research evaluating tools that assist doctors in managing these patients. The objective of this study is to assess a blood pressure monitoring system with an integrated algorithm that aids doctors in the decision-making process.

Echocardiographic Analysis by Artificial Intelligence in Hypertension

The objective of this study is to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools to characterize cardiac remodelling in arterial hypertension through the analysis of routine imaging data (echocardiography) coupled with patient data. More precisely, this study will make it possible (i) to represent in a relevant way the spectrum of the cardiac repercussions of a population affected by hypertension to better characterize the progress of the pathology, in particular vis-à-vis the more ambiguous subjects to be characterized ("grey" area); (ii) to develop tools for the automatic quantification of cardiac function (segmentation and robust monitoring of the myocardium during the cardiac cycle, for the dynamic analysis of the shape and global deformation of the heart) and therefore to extract descriptors richer in cardiac function than those currently used in clinical routine.

Remote Multichannel Monitoring of Patients With Chronic DIseAses Using Speech technoLogies Based On Artificial intelliGence

DIALOG is a study to assess the efficacy and safety of remote patient monitoring using virtual operator voice technologies and a business intelligence (BI) system for timely detection, prevention of early complications, worsening of the condition, and other adverse events in patients who have been discharged from the hospital.

StOPping Hypertension and imprOving Children's Lives After KidnEy TranSplantation

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is a major morbidity in children after kidney transplantation (KTx), limiting life expectancy and impairing graft function. Arterial hypertension (AH) is the dominant CV risk factor, and highly abundant in this patient group. AH can cause left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is predictive of CV death. LVH can be non-invasively assessed by measuring left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Analyses of observational data showed that blood pressure (BP) levels \<75th percentile (pct) were associated with a significant reduction of LVMI. Guidelines give BP goals for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). No guidelines, however, exist on the treatment of AH in pediatric KTx patients. In the proposed multicenter, randomized, parallel group trial with blinded endpoint evaluation we aim to assess n=500 pediatric patients \>12 months after KTx at several KTx centers. Patients will be randomly assigned 1:1 to an intensified BP management group (BP target ≤60th pct) and a standard BP management group (BP target \<90th pct). The primary endpoint is LVMI after 24 months. Secondary endpoints are estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and intima media thickness (IMT) after 24 months. BP control will be guaranteed for both groups through BP telemonitoring, which will be transmitted in real time to the treating physician and the trial's centralized BP office. By defining the adequate BP goal, the results of the proposed study will have direct implications for the care of children after KTx. The results will define an important element of post-KTx care and help to lower CV morbidity and subsequently CV mortality of pediatric KTx patients.

Effects of Change in Blood Pressure on Retinal Capillary Rarefaction in Patients With Arterial Hypertension

To evaluate whether in patients with initially poorly-controlled arterial hypertension, structural and functional differences in the retina and choroid remain after achieving a well-controlled blood pressure.

Effects of Resistance Training Intensity on Cardiovascular Parameters of Hypertensive Women

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand about the effects of resistance training (RT) intensity on cardiovascular parameters in postmenopausal women with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). The main research questions are: * Does the intensity of RT impact blood pressure (BP) in postmenopausal women with SAH? * How does RT intensity affect heart rate (HR) and their variability (HRV), endothelial function (EF), and nitric oxide (NO) biomarker synthesis in this population? * What are the effects of RT intensity on affectivity and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)? Researchers will compare two different intensities of RT (60% of the load for 1 repetition maximum \[1RM\] and 80% of 1RM) to determine their effects on the mentioned cardiovascular and perceptual parameters. Participants will: In the acute experiment: * Perform the same RT session in a crossover design, training with 60% of 1RM in one condition and 80% of 1RM in another condition * Have BP, HR, and HRV measured before, immediately after, and for one hour post-session * Report affectivity before each session and at the end, along with RPE In the chronic experiment: * Be randomized into two groups: one training with 60% of 1RM and the other with 80% of 1RM * Undergo a 10-week intervention period with evaluations before, during, and after the intervention * Have BP, HR, affective responses, and RPE measured at multiple time points * Have EF, HRV, and salivary concentrations of NO biomarkers assessed before and after the intervention

Global Research Initiative for Patients Screening on MASH

GRIPonMASH will assist (primary) health care providers clinicians to implement the latest patient care pathway, as described by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), to identify patients at risk of severe metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and to raise awareness. The primary objective is to implement a transmural patient care pathway, in order to identify patients with MASLD and its progressive form metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in primary care centres and clinics in 10 European countries.

Triggers and Risk Factors for Recurrence of Atrial Arrhythmias With the Use of Long-term Monitoring

A prospective cohort study to evaluate the association between various triggers encountered in daily life and induction of atrial arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia and premature atrial contractions) with the use of long-term monitoring devices. The collected data of personalized triggers and risk factors will be used to define the individual phenotype of atrial arrhythmia.

Women Hypertensive and Young-Renal Denervation

Renal denervation is a new method to lower blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients by reducing the impact of sympathetic nervous system. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in resistant hypertension and in lowering BP in essential hypertension as compared to a sham procedure in untreated hypertensive patients. This procedure is safe without any serious adverse events. However its effects during pregnancy are unknown. Normal pregnancy is associated with an increase of sympathetic activity at rest and upon cardiovascular reflexes stimulation which returns to baseline after delivery. These changes maintain optimal utero placental blood flow. But excessive stimulation of sympathetic activity may play a role in preeclampsia. Drugs that may affect the sympathetic nervous system are considered as safe in pregnant women. So there are reasonable evidence that renal denervation performed before pregnancy should not have deleterious effects for the fetus. The efficiency of renal denervation being greater in young patient and in women, a greater proportion of BP normalization can be expected in this population of young women .

Fetuin A as a Predictor of Deterioration of Renal Function in Hypertonic Patients

Commonly used parameters (creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio) for prediction of decline of renal function are sensitive for advanced kidney impairment. Modified human urine Fetuin A (urine Fetuin A) with specific modification in urine (Fetuin A) can earlier predict the progression of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. Studies evaluating urine Fetuin A in hypertonic patients are still lacking.