Clinical Research Directory

Causes and Natural History of Dyslipidemias

This study will evaluate people with dyslipidemias - disorders that affect the fat content in the blood. Fats, or lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, are carried in the blood in particles called lipoproteins. These particles are involved in causing blood vessel diseases that can lead to conditions like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or heart attack. Participants will undergo accepted medical tests and procedures to evaluate their condition. Most of the test results are helpful in making a diagnosis and in guiding treatment. People with lipid disorders are eligible for this study. Representative types of patients include those with: * Plasma cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dl or less than 120 mg/dl * Plasma LDL-C levels greater than 130 mg/dl or less than 70 mg/dl * Plasma HDL-C levels greater than 70 mg/dl or less than 25 mg/dl * Unusual cholesterol deposits or xanthomas (nodules of lipid deposits on the skin) Children under 2 years of age are excluded from the study. Participants will undergo some or all of the following procedures: \- Plasma evaluation. Apolipoproteins (plasma proteins involved in metabolism of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and proteins in the blood) and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism are measured.

A Study to See if Lepodisiran Can Reduce Plaque in Coronary Arteries of Adults With Elevated Lp(a) Who Have Had Heart Events or Are at High Risk

Lipoprotein(a), also known as Lp(a), is a protein that carries cholesterol and proteins in your blood. People with high Lp(a) have a higher risk for heart disease. The main purpose of the study is to investigate how lepodisiran, compared to a placebo, affects the amount and type of plaque in the heart's vessels using an imaging technology known as Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) in adults who have high levels of Lp(a). Participation will last about 120 weeks.

Characterization of Patients With Uncommon Presentations and/or Uncommon Diseases Associated With the Cardiovascular System

Background: \- Researchers are interested in studying individuals who have known or suspected metabolic, inflammatory or genetic diseases that may put them at a high risk for heart diseases or diseases of their blood vessels. Depending on the condition being studied, both affected and nonaffected individuals may be asked to provide blood and other samples and may undergo tests to evaluate the heart, blood vessels and lung function. The testing is tailored to the individual and/or condition being studied. Nonaffected individuals may include relatives of affected individuals and healthy nonrelated volunteers. Objectives: \- To study individuals who have or are at risk for cardiovascular diseases, and in some cases their unaffected relatives and healthy volunteers. Eligibility: \- Individuals between 1 and 100 years of age. Participants may be healthy volunteers, individuals with cardiovascular diseases, or unaffected relatives of individuals with cardiovascular diseases. Design: * Participants will have some or all of the following tests, as directed by the study researchers: * Photography of the face and full body * Body measurements * Radiography, including chest or limb x-rays * Metabolic stress testing to study heart and muscle function * Echocardiography to study heart function * Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, including cardiovascular MRI, angiography, and contrast MRI, to study heart function and performance * Computed tomography (CT) angiogram to obtain images of the heart and lungs * Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to study possible fat infiltration of the heart * Six-minute walk test to study heart, lung, and muscle function and performance * Vascular ultrasound to study blood vessel walls * Blood, tissue, and other specimens will be collected for research and testing, and will be taken either as part of the clinical study or during surgical procedures. * Follow-up studies may be performed under separate research protocols.

Carotid Ultrasound-Based Strategy for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease (PREVENER)

PREVENER is a randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase IV clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a carotid ultrasound-based strategy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD). Patients with IRD, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have a 50% higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) events compared to the general population. However, conventional CV risk scores (SCORE2/OP) systematically underestimate this risk, leaving many high-risk patients without appropriate preventive treatment. Patients aged ≥50 years with IRD and low-to-moderate CV risk according to SCORE2/OP will be randomized 1:1 to either an experimental group (carotid ultrasound to detect subclinical atherosclerosis) or a control group (standard care according to ESC 2021 guidelines). Patients in the experimental group with carotid plaques will be reclassified as very high CV risk and treated with high-intensity statins (LDL target \<55 mg/dL). The primary endpoint is the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over 48 months of follow-up.

Moderate-Intensity Statin Plus Ezetimibe in CKD and ASCVD

The ULTRA-CKD trial is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial designed to compare the efficacy and safety of moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe combination therapy versus high-intensity statin monotherapy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and concomitant atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Patients with CKD are at very high risk for ASCVD. In this population, it is important to establish a lipid-lowering strategy that optimizes cardiovascular outcomes while ensuring long-term safety. While high-intensity statins are generally considered as initial treatment option for secondary prevention, the optimal strategy for CKD patients remains to be clinicaly defined. This study aims to evaluate whether the combination of moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe is non-inferior to high-intensity statin monotherapy in terms of 3-year composite of major adverse cardiovascular events.

New Heart Imaging Techniques to Evaluate Possible Heart Disease

Background: \- Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide information about heart and blood vessels. The tests let doctors can see the amount of blood vessel narrowing and vessel wall thickness. This information may help diagnose and treat heart disease and other conditions that lead to heart attacks. Better MRI methods are needed to improve heart disease diagnosis, especially by avoiding the use of radiation. Researchers are testing new techniques to improve the quality of heart MRI, compared with more complex studies like catheterization or angiography. Objectives: \- To compare heart MRI techniques with other tests used to diagnose heart disease. Eligibility: \- People at least 18 years of age who either have or may have heart disease, or are healthy volunteers. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood tests. * They will have an angiography to study the inside of blood vessels. This test is an x-ray study of the blood vessels. It will be done either separately or as part of a set of tests to diagnose possible heart disease. * Participants will have at least one and up to five MRI scans. The scans will involve different methods of studying the heart and blood vessels. Participants may also have a computed tomography scan to confirm the findings of an MRI scan. * No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.

Leucine, mTOR and Athero

High protein low carbohydrate diets have become popular in recent years to help facilitate weight loss. It is controversial if these diets are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent work in mice has implicated monocytes/macrophages and mTOR signaling as the culprit cell type driving the increased cardiovascular risk with high protein diets. We aim to build on this preclinical research by evaluating the effects of liquid meals with different protein and leucine (a potent mTOR activator) contents on circulating human monocytes and platelets. Study participants will be given either a low protein liquid meal, a high protein liquid meal, or a low protein liquid meal with additional leucine. Blood will be collected from study participants just just prior to and for several hours after ingestion of the meals. Activation of amino acid-dependent signaling pathways (particularly mTOR) and downstream sequelae will be evaluated in the isolated monocytes and platelets.

High Protein Diet and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of the majority of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and strokes, and results in tremendous morbidity and mortality. A Western-type diet is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis because of the high saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrate contents. Dietary strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease burden therefore focus on restriction of saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrates whereas "lean" protein intake is recommended and has become popular. However, results from studies conducted in animal models suggest high dietary protein intake is also atherogenic. The investigators' extensive preliminary data in animal models show that dietary protein increases atherosclerotic plaque formation and size and promotes necrotic core formation, a characteristic of rupture-prone plaques. The goal of the current proposal is to provide deeper insights into the relationship between protein intake and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by studying the mechanisms involved in protein-mediated atherogenesis and formation of necrotic plaques. The overarching hypothesis is that high protein intake drives atherosclerosis via leucine-mediated mTORC1 signaling in macrophages, which inhibits macrophage mitophagy and aggrephagy and stimulates macrophage proliferation. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that proteins from animal sources are more atherogenic than proteins from plant sources, because animal proteins contain more leucine than plant proteins. The investigators will test these hypotheses by using a sophisticated array of experimental strategies, including assays in primary macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages and genetically engineered mouse models. In addition, they will begin to translate the results obtained in vitro and in animals to people, and explore approaches to pharmacologically target the pro-atherogenic pathways as novel cardiovascular therapeutics. This proposal represents a paradigm shift in how a Western-type diet affects vascular health which has important implications since many adults in Western societies consume excess protein and dietary protein is heavily marketed for its presumed beneficial health effects.

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacodynamics (PD), and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Selnoflast in Reducing Vascular Inflammation in Participants With Atherosclerosis at Risk for Major Adverse Cardiac Events

The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of selnoflast compared with placebo in participants with atherosclerosis, at high-risk for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), who are currently on standard-of-care (SOC) therapy.

Blood Endothelium Biomarkers to Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

In stent restenosis and myocardial infarction are have been linked the balance between injury and healing of the endothelium These processes can be measured respectively using the number of circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells. We therefore aimed to evaluate the relationship between the balance of injury and healing of the endothelium at the time of PCI and major adverse cardiovascular events including death, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization at 6 and 12 months follow-up.

Choline Fenofibrate and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Combined Dyslipidemia

This is a randomized controlled study to assess the effect of choline fenofibrate compared with policosanol in Korean T2DM patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Atmeg (Atorvastatin and Omega-3 Combination) and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Combined Dyslipidemia

This is a randomized controlled study to assess the effect of atorvastatin and omega 3 combination therapy compared with atorvastatin and ezetimibe combination therapy in Korean T2DM patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Clopidogrel Versus Cilostazol on Vessels

Diabetes is an increasing cause of atherosclerotic and cardiovascular illnesses in South Korea. The clinical application of ultrasound for measuring carotid intima-media thickness, which helps in early detection and surveillance of atherosclerosis, is advancing. Due to lifestyle changes and an aging population, Koreans, especially diabetics, are developing more vascular diseases and are at higher risk for peripheral vascular disorders. Diabetics with lower limb peripheral artery disease require effective therapy to avoid major complications and a reduced quality of life. Although licensed for symptom control, Clopidogrel and Cilostazol have not yet been established for primary prevention of cardiovascular risks. These medications will be evaluated for their potential as primary preventive agents against cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients. The goal of this research is to investigate the efficacy of Cilostazol and Clopidogrel in inhibiting the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and to evaluate their influence on hemorheological changes in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The goal of this research is to investigate the efficacy of Cilostazol and Clopidogrel in inhibiting the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and evaluating their influence on alterations in blood flow among individuals with Type 2 diabetes.

Improving Adherence to Statin Therapy Through a Medication Management Application

Interventional study to compare standard of care vs standard of care plus the use of a medication therapy management smartphone app (mediteo m+, Mediteo GmbH, Heidelberg) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and indication to start high intensity statin therapy.

Canadian Study of Arterial Inflammation in Patients With Diabetes and Vascular Events: EvaluatioN of Colchicine

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the developed world. Atherosclerosis causes plaques in the blood vessels and is a common form of CVD. Inflammation is now recognized as a major cause of atherosclerosis. Therapies that target inflammation are being examined as a potential treatment option. Imaging to detect inflammation may be a solution to understand mechanisms and to optimize patient selection and outcomes for these drugs. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging can detect inflammation in the plaque and identify patients vulnerable to plaque rupture which cause events such as myocardial infarctions (MI) and strokes. The primary objective of this proposal(CADENCE) is to determine if the drug colchicine has an effect on plaque inflammation in patients at high risk for events (patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes and recent myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)). This mechanistic and proof-of-concept study will set the stage for future studies that will determine if inflammation imaging can be integrated into clinical practice to personalize decisions for anti-inflammation therapies.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The aim of this study is to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with juvenile SLE by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and to determine its associations with traditional cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity) and non-traditional disease-related risk factors (disease activity, lupus nephritis, corticosteroid dose, disease duration).

Evaluation of a Diagnostic Software for Coronary Artery Disease Using Retrospective CCTA Data (CODEX-1 Study)

The CODEX-1 study is a multicenter retrospective observational study designed to assess the diagnostic performance of a novel software application for coronary artery disease (CAD) evaluation. The application integrates automated stenosis detection, CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), and plaque quantification, all performed on-site. A total of 1,000 patients who previously underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and diagnostic invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and/or other non-invasive imaging will be included. The study compares the diagnostic outputs of the software to current clinical practice and expert adjudication, focusing on CAD-RADS categorization, prediction of the need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and reduction in unnecessary ICA procedures.

A Clinical Study of IMC-001 for Injection in Improving Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

A two-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation IIT clinical study evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of injectable IMC-001 in improving atherosclerotic plaque stability in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The plan is to conduct 2 dose groups, with 9 subjects enrolled in each group, including 6 in the treatment group and 3 in the control group. The treatment group will receive IMC-001 along with optimal drug therapy, with a total of 12 subjects included, while the control group will receive a placebo along with optimal drug therapy, with a total of 6 subjects included.

Cluster Randomized Trial of a Digital Quality Improvement Intervention on LDLCholesterol Control

Elevation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Reduction of LDL-C with statins has been clearly demonstrated as a robust and cost-effective way of reducing the burden of ASCVD in individuals at risk. ASCVD is the leading cause of death and disability in Brazil and therefore prevention guidelines recommend LDL-C reduction with the aim of reducing disease burden in individuals at risk. Studies have shown a clear hiatus on awareness and treatment of cholesterol in Brazil. Thus, it became imperative to develop knowledge translation projects aiming at bridging the gap between science and clinical practice and ultimately leading to better outcomes. Cluster randomized clinical trials are the highest quality type of clinical research to test educational and active interventions aimed at changing behaviors or clinical practices. Therefore, this study is a pragmatic cluster randomized trial to assess the effect of a digitally enabled quality improvement intervention on LDL-C control in atherosclerotic established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients.

Study of the Effect of Innate on the Inflammatory Response to Endotoxin

Background: \- Innate immunity is the process by which white blood cells and other parts of the immune system sense and respond to potential infections by causing an inflammation. Researchers are interested in studying how the body responds to certain environmental factors, and whether the body s response can contribute to chronic illnesses or diseases such as asthma and certain types of cancers. Objectives: \- To examine how specific genes and proteins in blood cells respond to environmental exposures. Eligibility: \- Healthy volunteers between 18 and 45 years of age. Design: * The study will involve one visit of 45 to 60 minutes. * Participants will be screened with a brief physical examination and finger stick to determine if they are eligible to donate blood for the study, and will complete a questionnaire about any medications or other drugs (e.g., cigarettes) they may be taking. * Participants will provide a blood sample for research purposes.

Strategy for Unstable Coronary Plaque in Patients Presenting to Emergency Department for Chest Pain Suspected of Coronary Artery Disease

Primary prevention of coronary disease and especially its major complication, inaugural myocardial infarction, is based on any prodromal symptoms identification and on risk profile establishment. About 50% of myocardial infarctions are caused by an unstable non-stenosing plaque, asymptomatic before the event since without significant reduction in coronary flow, particularly during a stress test or during stress imaging. Study purpose is to set up, in medical emergency department, check-up unit and cardiology department, a primary prevention strategy articulated around a routine examination: calcium scoring. The latter makes it possible to categorize patients according to their risk of generating atheromatous plaques and to classify them into several risk levels (groups) according to their score: low (\<40th percentile), intermediate (between the 40th percentile and the 65th percentile: group III) or high risk (\>65th percentile, group IV). 18F-Na PET scan can mark unstable coronary plaques. For the intermediate risk population who would demonstrate within 6 to 18 months after first calcium score either an increase of percentile of more than 20% or an increase above 20 points of the calcium score and for high risk population, 18F-Na PET scan will be recommended and repeated 6 months later. Secondary prevention treatment will then be administered in the event of an abnormal examination.

A Phase 2b Clinical Trial of YN001 in Adults With Coronary Atherosclerosis

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously administered YN001 in patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis, who are receiving background therapy for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors management.

T-Mem GEne in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and is characterized by the progressive accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes within the vessel wall of large and medium-sized arteries, forming the so-called "atherosclerotic plaques". The formation process of these lesions is different depending on the age, genetics and physiological state of the individual affected. Furthermore, behavioral factors and the lifestyle of each individual play a key role, which can lead to the presence of a series of pro-atherosclerotic pathologies and risk factors, such as in particular systemic arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and cigarette smoking. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this pathogenetic process are still under investigation. The results of a study conducted in the past in collaboration between the U.O. have recently been published. of Vascular Surgery and the laboratory of Dr. I. Zucchi of the Institute of Biomedical Technologies of the CNR of Milan Segrate (Protocol GEMMA NUOVA, 16/int/2016), which describes that the overexpression of a newly identified gene (TMEM230) it may have a role in the formation of atherosclerotic vascular disorders, but it is still unclear how the expression of this gene is modulated in vivo. Knowledge of these factors would increase the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and could represent a possible target for prevention and targeted pharmacological treatment, with consequent potential reduction in disability or mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Fatigue Behavior of Peripheral STENt of the Superficial Femoral Artery

Endovascular treatment of superficial femoral artery stenosis/obstruction is still the subject of debate in the scientific literature. Previous clinical studies have in fact reported conflicting data regarding the benefits of implanting self-expanding Nitinol stents in the superficial femoral artery district compared to simple percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Invariably, patient comorbidities and anatomic characteristics of the lesions appear to be important factors influencing procedural success and one-year patency rates. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the potential clinical impact of stent fractures, reported at rates ranging from 12% to 37.2% at one year. Despite the improved outcomes seen with newer Nitinol stent designs, the primary limitations of stenting in the superficial femoral artery are the use of multiple overlapping stents or long stents and the associated potential rate of stent fracture resulting reocclusion of the treated superficial femoral artery and clinical worsening of patients who in most cases are initially treated for disabling claudication. Being able to preoperatively determine in which patients there are risk factors prognostically associated with a higher rate of fracture/reocclusion could represent a help for the operator in choosing the best therapeutic strategy.