Clinical Research Directory

Weight Management After Cancer for Survivors in Rural Communities

This study is testing a new program called WeCan-Rural, designed to help breast cancer survivors manage symptoms and build healthy habits like eating well, staying active, and managing their weight. These changes may help lower the risk of heart disease after cancer treatment. The study will answer two main questions: * Can study team successfully recruit and keep participants in the study, and will the participants find the program helpful and easy to follow? * Will participants who join the program see better results in areas like weight, symptoms, diet, physical activity, and confidence in managing the participant's health compared to those who receive standard care? Here's what participants will do: * Visit the participant's clinic twice (about 12 weeks apart) to be weighed, have the blood pressure checked, give a blood sample, and complete a short walking test * Fill out online surveys about the participant's health, diet, physical activity, symptoms, and confidence in managing the participant's health * Be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to either receive the WeCan-Rural program or standard health information * If assigned to the program, attend 12 weekly one-hour video sessions on Zoom with a trained therapist

Advancing Health Equity and Preventive Cardiovascular Care in Indigenous and Remote Communities: a Mobile Healthcare Unit

Indigenous people living in Canada face significant healthcare inequities, particularly in basic, primary, and secondary prevention, leading to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This program aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the contextual and individual determinants influencing Indigenous health, and to address health disparities by using tailored community-led participatory research and care initiatives. The investigator and research team use a Mobile Healthcare Unit travelling to Indigenous communities, providing customized, impactful, and sustainable preventive care that adapts dynamically to the evolving needs of each community. The initiative places a strong emphasis on equity and inclusivity, aiming to generate original data in Indigenous and remote underrepresented/underserved populations. This proposal will improve opportunities of identifying facilitators and barriers to preventive care in Indigenous and remote communities. This focus is vital for reducing health disparities and aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. To maximize knowledge mobilization and ensure culturally appropriate initiatives align with community needs and priorities, this research program collaborates with the Indigenous University Hub at Laval University, local community members and leaders, and Indigenous peoples with lived experience. Existing national and international collaborations with Indigenous communities further enhance the initiative's potential impact and foster knowledge mobilization on a global scale. The ultimate goal is to empower Indigenous peoples and communities to advocate for systemic changes to fight inequities in healthcare in accordance with appropriated truth and reconciliation efforts.

RESOLving INflammation Through Diet for Health (RESOLVIN)

Hyperlipidemia is the main driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), both through direct effects and as trigger of the chronic inflammation behind a cardiovascular health-to-disease transition. While lipid-lowering is an effective way to reduce the ASCVD risk, the residual risk remains high. In addition, a substantial proportion of ASCVD events occur in the absence of overt hyperlipidemia. Several lines of evidence ranging from experimental models to population studies and interventional clinical trials support chronic inflammation as the causal residual risk of CVD. The CVD risk-associated lipid classes contain fatty acids that can be liberated and metabolized into both inflammation-promoting as well as inflammation-resolving drivers, providing the rationale for focusing on this balance in the present project. Above all, the omega-3 fatty acid class can resolve inflammation but the potential impact is currently largely underestimated in CVD preventive recommendations. As cardiovascular preventive measures ease the burden placed on the individual, population, and on the health care system, it is critical to raise public awareness for chronic inflammation as a causative and modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and to provide tools for how to control and monitor it. As an alternative to marine sources, principally eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and less docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can be endogenously produced from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in plant oils. Secondarily the possibility to increase the consumption of vegetable oil may possibly decrease the environmental impacts of an intensive fishing and consecutive marine system imbalance. The overarching objective of CARE-IN-HEALTH is to assess if PUFAs may contribute to the resolution of the chronic lipid-driven/-regulated vascular inflammation in order to develop and test, in a real-life setting, tools for use in health care and by citizens to stay healthy by an adequate resolution of the chronic inflammation. The primary objective of the present study is to compare the effect on a lipid/inflammation-derived risk score of diets supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of animal or vegetal origin with a nonenriched diet. The secondary objectives are a) to assess the acceptance of supplementation of diet with animal-derived or plant-derived PUFAs; b) to improve circulating lipid, inflammatory glycemic profile based on serial measurements of circulating biomarkers by means of PUFA supplementation. The inclusion criteria are: Eligible participants will be at moderate to high SCORE2, SCORE2-OP and SCORE2-Diabetes risk level. Non-eligible subjects will be those with: * cardiovascular disease, * established atherosclerotic vascular disease involving the coronary, peripheral, carotid, or aortic territories (identified by computerized tomography (CT) of coronary arteries, MRI, carotid or peripheral ultrasound imaging), * chronic treatment with n-3 PUFA containing products (i.e., Vazkepa) or fibrates, * a condition that interferes with the possibility to follow the dietary intervention, such as fish allergy or being a vegan, * significant liver dysfunction, * participation in another intervention clinical study. Eligible participants will undergo a clinical visit when also a blood sample will be taken at baseline and at 12 weeks follow-up. The main analysis will be performed according to a per protocol approach, therefore only participants compliant with study treatments will be included in the analysis. Primary objective: to compare the effect on a lipid/inflammation-derived risk score, based on circulating molecules, of diets enriched with PUFA of animal or vegetal origin with a non-enriched diet. Secondary objectives: a) to assess the acceptance of supplementation of diet with animal-derived or plant-derived PUFAs; b) to improve circulating lipidic/glycemic inflammatory profile. All 324 participants enrolled in the trial will have blood samples taken twice (at baseline and 12 weeks),

Lions Hearts: A Community Approach to Multigenerational Cardiovascular Disease Risk

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of Lion Hearts, a community-based, family-centered physical activity intervention designed to improve cardiovascular health among mother-child dyads. Developed through community co-design, the 12-week intervention is delivered in local CrossFit affiliates and includes twice-weekly fitness sessions incorporating functional movement, goal setting, teamwork, and health education. The study aims to assess changes in physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular health markers, as well as family dynamics and motivation for physical activity. Participants complete baseline, mid-, post-, and 3-month follow-up assessments, including surveys, fitness testing, accelerometry, and optional lab work. Findings will inform the refinement of the intervention for future large-scale trials.

A Two-Part Intervention to Target Cardiovascular Health

Obesity is one of the most common health conditions among autistic young people and its prevalence rises at faster rates for autistic-relative to non-autistic-individuals. This places them at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality before they enter adulthood. Studies have identified three key contributing factors to CVD outcomes in autistic individuals: unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and chronic stress. This study will explore the effectiveness of two CVD-focused primary care interventions for autistic individuals (ages 9-26): (1) lifestyle medicine consultations tailored towards supporting health-promoting behaviors; and (2) a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) intervention tailored towards addressing chronic stress that contributes to excess weight and maladaptive eating behaviors and results in obesity and CVD. Participants and their caregivers will be randomly placed into either the Lifestyle Medicine Group, CBT Group, or combined Lifestyle Medicine with CBT Group. Participants will respond to questionnaires and surveys measuring lifestyle habits, stress, and psychological risk factors at their first visit, 6-month visit, and 3 months post-intervention visit. Over the course of 6 months, participants will attend virtual sessions (up to three times a month) in accordance with their intervention group.

Breast Artery Calcification (BAC) and Female Cardiovascular Disease

The investigators are recruiting women with and without Breast Artery Calcification (BAC) on their mammograms. Each participant in the study will undergo bloodwork at a Northwell Health lab, a cardiac CT scan, and fill out some brief questionnaires. Results will be shared with the respective participant. At the conclusion of the study, statistical analyses will be performed to further understand the associations between BAC and cardiovascular markers.

Health Behaviour and Readiness to Change After Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-sectional Survey

This study investigates health behaviour and readiness for lifestyle change in patients who recently had a heart attack (myocardical infarction) treated with stenting (PTCA). Despite successful acute treatment, many patients remain at increased risk of a second heart atttack because lifestyle changes are not consistently maintained. Participants who had a heart attack within the past 6 months will complete standardized questionnaires on readiness to change, quality of life, anxiety/depression, and physical functioning, plus a free-text section on personal barriers to change. Findings will characterize this population and inform a future lifestyle intervention trial

Geospatial Analysis of Neighborhood Environmental Stress in Relation to Biological Markers of Cardiovascular Health and Health Behaviors in Women

Background: Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Healthy diet and exercise improve heart health. Some features of where a person lives can lead to stress and decrease chances for exercise. Researchers want to see how these factors may increase the risk of heart disease in women. Objective: To see if there are differences in stress levels between women who live in different parts of Washington, DC. Also, to see how these women use their neighborhoods for exercise. Eligibility: Healthy white or black females ages 19-45 who live in Washington, DC, who have access to a smartphone Design: Participants may stay at the NIH Clinical Center overnight for a 2-day visit. Visit 1 will include: Physical exam Blood tests Electrocardiogram: Electrodes on the participant s skin will measure heart activity. PET/CT scan: Participants will get an injection. They will lie in a machine that takes pictures of the body. Surveys Body size measurements Nutrition consultation Blood vessel tests: This is measured with blood pressure cuffs, a device placed on the participant s fingertip, and a probe placed on the participant s neck. Resting Energy Expenditure: Participants will breathe under a clear hood for 45 minutes. Participants will be followed for about 2 weeks. They will wear a device on the wrist and carry a GPS device. Through a mobile app, they will answer short daily surveys on stress and exercise. Visit 2- Device return Nutritional consultation

Evaluation of Community Health Worker Support to Help People With Serious Mental Illness to Quit Smoking

The purpose of this study is to learn whether providing additional smoking cessation support through specially trained members of behavioral healthcare team helps people quit smoking and improve their health. Participants ages 18-75 who receive mental health services and smoke cigarettes every day may qualify for this study looking at new ways to help people quit smoking.

Improving the Heart Health of Home Health Aides

The goal of this early-stage study is to support the heart health of home health aides, a workforce that provides care for adults at home but whose own health has been historically poor. To do this, the study will use Life's Essential 8 (LE8), a program developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) that promotes cardiovascular wellness through education and lifestyle changes. The program has been adapted specifically for home health aides and will be delivered by trained "peer coaches," who are fellow home health aides who will help guide participants through the program. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Will the LE8 intervention, which provides cardiovascular health education and support with positive thinking, be used by home health aides and do they like it? * Does the LE8 intervention actually improve home health aides' cardiovascular health after the intervention's conclusion compared to baseline? Participants will be paired with a trained peer coach and take part in the 10-week program over the course of 6 months. The program includes support for healthy behaviors and positive thinking, with the goal of making lasting improvements in cardiovascular health.

Heart and Blood Vessels Health in People With Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease that affects over 11,000 people in the UK. It is a genetic condition that affects many organs including the lungs, pancreas, kidneys and liver. New drugs called "modulators" have meant people with CF are now living much longer. Until recently, heart disease was rare in CF, but with the new modulators there are increasing concerns that heart disease may become a big problem in the future. This is partly to do with the drugs causing weight gain and higher blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease. My PhD project aims to find out whether the blood vessels and hearts of people with CF are healthy or diseased. I will then find out how the blood vessels are changing over time and work out what things are driving those changes. I will measure the health of the blood vessels and heart using an ultrasound machine to understand what the pattern of disease is like and who might be at the highest risk for heart disease in the future. I will then repeat these measurements a year later. I will compare people of different ages and with different types of disease to understand what things may help us identify heart disease as soon as possible. In the general population, doctors often use medical prediction tools to find out who is at the highest risk for heart disease. We do not know if these work for people with CF, so I will also find out whether those prediction tools are useful in CF. It is vital to understand who may be at risk for heart disease, as one of the most effective ways of treating heart disease is to prevent it from happening. This work may pave the way for future studies to test early treatment for heart disease in those people we identify might be at high risk. Early prevention treatment could reduce the risk of heart disease and ultimately improve the length and quality of life of people living with CF. This is particularly important given people with CF already have a much shorter life expectancy than the general population. In summary, this PhD project will help improve our understanding of heart disease in CF and help identify the best way forward to prevent heart disease causing health problems related to heart disease for these individuals in the future.

Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

The pathogenic process underlying atherosclerosis resembles a chronic inflammatory response in which oxidative stress is involved. Similarly, oxidative stress is widely recognized to play an important role in the clinical course and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA has been associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. This cross-sectional study will include patients with RA. The primary objective is to evaluate the association between selected oxidative stress biomarkers-serum malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase-and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and carotid arterial stiffness in patients with RA. We will subsequently assess whether these molecules are related to cardiovascular disease determinants, including inflammatory dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and beta-cell dysfunction, which may occur in this condition. This study will further explore the relationship between oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease in RA.

Work-Related Frustration and Higher Cardiovascular Risk Blood Pressure Profiles

Background: Mental health is a national priority in France, especially in the workplace. The impact of poor quality of life at work on mental health has been demonstrated. Raising awareness of the importance of prevention within companies and the influence of working conditions seems essential. In the context of limited occupational health physicians, inherent access difficulties, and reduced resources, physical health is often addressed as the first line of intervention. In the Burgundy region, the prevention of cardiovascular diseases is a regional public health concern. A significant association has been found between effort/reward imbalance and masked hypertension. Identifying a link between working conditions, blood pressure profile, and thus increased cardiovascular risk would be relevant. Objectives: The main goal of this observational study is to compare the frequency of blood pressure profiles at higher risk of cardiovascular events (white coat hypertension and daytime and/or nighttime masked hypertension) according to work-related quality of life and perceived stress levels among primary care patients without a history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease, in two departments of the Burgundy region. Methods: This project is a proof-of-concept study before intervention on work-related quality of life and blood pressure profiles at higher cardiovascular risk in primary prevention. It is a prospective, interventional, and multicenter study, conducted from May 2023, across three multidisciplinary primary care centers, involving fifteen general practitioners from Côte d'Or and Saône-et-Loire. Patients aged 40 to 65, consulting one of the participating general practitioners, actively working, with no cardiovascular history or antihypertensive treatment, will be included. Work-related quality of life and perceived stress will be assessed using the QualTra-Scale and the PSS-10 scale, respectively. All included patients will undergo 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) during a workday. A qualitative component will complement the results through patients' individual interviews exploring ABPM perception and reasons for refusal, and focus groups involving general practitioners and occupational health professionals to explore perceptions and potential intervention strategies. Perspectives: The main perspective of this study is to focus on workplace health by providing additional data on the physical repercussions of poor work-related quality of life and high perceived stress. Objectifying a confirmed medical situation could serve as a lever for identifying mental health issues. It would enable interventions to improve work-related quality of life by addressing health determinants and psychosocial risks. Various interventions could be considered through a multidisciplinary approach in the workplace, involving occupational physicians, occupational psychologists, and employers. This study could also offer insights into patient profiles at higher cardiovascular risk, help develop recommendations for screening masked hypertension, and evaluate the role of blood pressure measurements at the workplace.

Female-Specific Modifiers for Healthy Early Action in Cardiovascular Risk Trajectories

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet risk is systematically underestimated and preventive interventions are often initiated too late. Women are disproportionately affected by obesity, diabetes, and smoking, but they also derive greater cardioprotective benefit from physical activity, reaching near-maximal protection at approximately half the exercise dose required in men. FEM-HEART targets a critical pre-clinical window by testing whether a personalized app-based intervention and a supervised face-to-face lifestyle program, both integrating tailored exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction, can improve early cardiovascular risk profiles in high-risk women during the peri- and postmenopausal transition. In this prospective randomized controlled trial embedded in routine preventive care at SVS Gesundheitszentrum, 605 women will be randomized to a digital arm, a supervised intervention arm, or an untreated control group. The study will evaluate whether digital and supervised delivery formats differ in their ability to modify early cardiovascular trajectories before overt disease onset. By targeting this modifiable pre-clinical phase, FEM-HEART shifts cardiovascular prevention from reactive care to proactive, sex-specific risk reduction and lays the foundation for scalable, woman-centered prevention strategies.

Multicenter Cardiac Decision Impact Study in People With Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and advances in early detection and treatment have led to steadily improved survival rates. Today, nearly 80% of breast cancer survivors are over 50 years of age. With longer survival, comes a greater burden of chronic disease, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is more common in breast cancer survivors than in the general population. This elevated risk is driven by treatment-related effects, such as chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, metabolic changes including (therapy-associated) weight gain, and shared lifestyle risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity. In routine clinical care, approximately 65% of breast cancer patients undergo local radiotherapy (RT) and will receive a planning computed tomography (CT) scan. These scans, while intended for RT planning, also capture valuable information on coronary artery calcifications (CAC), a well-established marker risk factor of CVD risk. The ARTILLERY-CarDI study is a multinational decision impact trial which will evaluate calculating CAC-based CVD risk (Agatston score) and communicating personalized, risk-based management recommendations to breast cancer patients. Aims and outcomes: In this study, CVD risk is estimated based on the manual CAC (Agatston) score using RT planning CT scans and a corresponding CVD risk-based recommendation is provided to breast cancer patients. The main aim of this study is to disclose this estimated CVD risk to treating physicians and patients and investigate how this risk affects: 1. breast cancer treatment (retrospectively) and cardiovascular care (i.e., no further action, recommendation for lifestyle changes, referral to a cardiologist or general practitioner (GP)), and 2. patients' satisfaction with their decision to receive their estimated CVD risk and the corresponding CVD risk-based management. Secondary aims are to evaluate whether the knowledge of estimated CVD risk and corresponding CVD-risk based management impacts patients' decisions regarding their lifestyle and habits, decisional conflict regarding lifestyle decision changes, patient reported outcomes (PROs) and changes in CVD risk factors and CVD treatment. Methods: ARTILLERY-CarDI is a multinational, multicenter, prospective decision impact trial, designed as a within-subject trial in which participants serve as their own controls. A total of 1,000 patients with breast cancer will be enrolled over 1.5 years across five centers in four countries (the Netherlands with two participating centers, Germany, Portugal, and Denmark). Each participant will be followed for six months. The intervention is the CVD risk estimation based on the CAC (Agatston) score using RT planning CT scans, and the subsequent disclosure of the estimated CVD risk and corresponding CVD risk-based management to the patient using the ARTILLERY manual. The CAC (Agatston) score will be measured after the RT planning CT scan is made, which is usually one or two weeks before the start of RT. The Agatston score is a validated method for CVD risk assessment using the amount of CAC. CVD risk is categorized in 5 groups with an Agatston score of 0, 1-10, 11-100, 101-400, and \>400. In the current trial, endpoints will be analyzed according to low, moderate, and high-CVD-risk groups corresponding to score ranges 0-10, 11-100, and \>100, respectively. Following a study-specific manual , eligible patients will be referred to a cardiologist or GP if a previously unknown moderate to high risk of CVD according to CAC is determined (Agatston score \>10). Thereafter, these patients will be treated accordingly as part of standard care. We expect that the timely measurement of estimated CVD risk by the amount of CAC on a planning CT scan and the disclosure of CVD risk-based management is beneficial for patients. The CVD risk measurement will lead to the identification of breast cancer patients with a previously unknown moderate to high estimated CVD risk and possibly undertreated cardiac conditions. The disclosure of CVD risk-based management is intended to empower patients to manage their own physical health and well-being. Also, we expect that the CVD risk measurement and CVD risk-based management will create more awareness among doctors and citizens about CVD risk in breast cancer patients. A potential side-effect of CAC- based CVD risk measurement and disclosure of CVD risk-based management is that, some patients may experience increased anxiety leading to dissatisfaction or regret about their decision to participate. The Satisfaction with Decision (SWD) questionnaire will be used to measure patients' satisfaction about their decision as one of the primary outcomes and the level of anxiety by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, at baseline, at one month and at six months after the intervention.

CARAMEL Observational Study

CARAMEL is a project funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme. Its aim is to develop a personalized prevention approach based on state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models for cardiovascular risk stratification in women aged 40-60 years. These models are trained using large amounts of multi-source data and complemented by digital self-assessment and self-management tools. The CARAMEL consortium brings together a diverse group of 25 organizations, including technology companies and research centers, clinical institutions, as well as experts in ethics, law, and communication. The CARAMEL-OS study is an observational study aimed at prospectively completing the proposed personalized cardiovascular risk stratification model for women aged 40-60 years that will be developed during the earlier phases of the overall CARAMEL project (https://www.caramel-project.eu/). The study has a purely observational design, and patient stratification will not entail any clinical intervention. The data collected will be used to complete the design of the personalized stratification model, as well as to develop and validate the performance of the predictive models in an independent prospective cohort, distinct from the retrospective cohort initially used. The performance of the models developed using retrospective data will be assessed in terms of accuracy, discrimination, calibration, and other relevant metrics. In addition, the study will enable the development of new predictive models with short-term prediction horizons, incorporating additional variables that are not available retrospectively. The study population will be recruited in four European Union countries: Croatia, Spain (Andalusia and The Basque Country - Gipuzkoa), Greece and Lithuania; and in Colombia. A prospective cohort of 3,000 women aged 40-60 will be recruited, with each partner contributing 500 participants.

Growing Healthy Hearts

This proposal includes a prospective, parallel group, two-arm RCT with 264 adult-child dyads (adult age 18+, child ages 5-17 years) to examine the effectiveness of the Growing Healthy Hearts (GHH) intervention versus a wait list control on cardiovascular and behavioral health outcomes at 3-, 6- and 12-months follow-up (Aim 1). This proposal will also examine the effect of GHH on home fruit and vegetable (FV) availability, frequency of home-prepared meals that include FV, and child behaviors (FV intake and PA) at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up (Aim 2) and intervention implementation (Aim 3)

Prospective Evaluation of New Metrics to Assess Cardiovascular Remodeling in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The goal of this prospective study is to gain insight into the endophenotypic variation in OSA, with a focus on the underlying pathophysiological traits and the cardiovascular alterations associated with the condition. To capture the variability in OSA endophenotypes, novel metrics that extend beyond the AHI will be considered, with particular attention to the sleep-apnea-specific hypoxic burden, the sleep-apnea-specific heart rate response, and pulse wave amplitude drops (PWADs). Since the impact of treatment on cardiovascular parameters remains an important point of interest, the effects of different treatment modalities on cardiovascular changes will be investigated, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), mandibular advancement devices (MADs), and hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

Democratizing Access to Cleaner Residential Air

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether the use of in-home air filtration to reduce exposure to air pollution benefits health.

Cardiovascular Prevention Supported by Digital Technology: Comparison With the Traditional Model

Cardiovascular diseases represent one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prevention in patients at cardiovascular risk is essential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and slow the progression of risk. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a cardiovascular prevention pathway delivered remotely through a digital application, comparing it with a traditional in-person care pathway.

Cardiometabolic Effects of Low-Fat and Full-Fat Dairy

The purpose of this study is to find out if full-fat dairy and low-fat dairy have similar effects on risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. During the study, participants will consume two types of dairy products: low-fat dairy (milk, yogurt, and cheese) and full-fat dairy (milk, yogurt, and cheese). Each type of dairy will be consumed for 6 weeks with a ≥4-week break between. Measures will be taken to evaluate blood cholesterol, blood sugar, body weight, inflammation, blood pressure, heart health and dietary intake at the beginning and end of each 6 week period.

The SCAPIS-Snus Study

Historically, snus use in Sweden was very stable, primarily used by about 20% of men and only 4-5% of women. However, the recent introduction of "white snus" (nicotine pouches) has dramatically changed this landscape. Today, women are using snus at nearly the same rate as men, with the sharpest increase seen among young people. Globally, snus is gaining massive popularity and is heavily marketed by major tobacco companies as a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. But is it really safe? Current research shows a mixed picture. Some studies suggest that snus users have stiffer arteries and face a higher risk of death if they suffer a heart attack or stroke. In fact, quitting snus after a heart attack can cut the risk of mortality in half. Conversely, other studies have found no clear link between snus and heart disease. Because of these scattered and confusing results, more comprehensive research is urgently needed. What is the study trying to find out? The primary goal of this research is to see if using snus-completely independent of smoking cigarettes-is linked to negative health outcomes. The researchers have a strong hypothesis: they believe snus use may be associated with increased artery damage, higher blood pressure, poorer metabolic health, and higher stress levels. Specifically, the study will investigate if snus use is connected to: Heart and Blood Vessel Health: Is snus linked to a higher buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attacks? Metabolic Health: Does snus negatively affect cardiometabolic markers, such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, body weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure? Mental Well-being: Is there a connection between snus use and psychological distress, poor sleep, high stress levels, or increased sick leave? How will the study be conducted? To get the most accurate answers, the researchers are using data from SCAPIS (the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study), a massive, high-quality health study. Following People Over Time: The researchers will look at data from two different time points: "SCAPIS 1" (the baseline) and "SCAPIS 2" (the follow-up). This allows them not only to take a snapshot of people's health but also to track how their health changes over time. Comparing Different Groups: The study will compare people who have never used snus, former users, and current users. It will also look at how much snus people use, how long they have used it, and whether they use traditional tobacco snus or the newer white nicotine pouches. Advanced Medical Testing: The study relies on thorough medical data, including advanced CT scans of the heart to look for plaque, detailed blood tests for cholesterol and inflammation, and comprehensive questionnaires regarding mental health and stress. Importantly, the researchers will use advanced statistics to ensure that other lifestyle factors-like diet, exercise, alcohol use, and a history of smoking-do not skew the results. This ensures they are isolating the specific effects of snus.

LANdiolol to Avoid TAchycardia in Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Events Undergoing Major Non-cardiac Surgery

Limiting perioperative tachycardia (aiming for a heart rate \<90 beats per minute throughout the perioperative period) using the ultra-short acting beta-blocker landiolol in patients with cardiovascular risk factors undergoing major surgery might lower the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury. Feasibility of the intervention needs to be proven prior to conduction of a larger trial.

Integrated Ultrasound-Derived Fat Fraction and 2D/4D HeartAI for Cardiovascular Risk Management in Patients With MASLD

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the association between liver fat fraction measured by ultrasound-derived fat fraction (UDFF) and cardiac functional parameters assessed by 2D and 4D HeartAI in adult patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Participants will undergo baseline assessment and repeat evaluations at 6, 12, and 36 months. The study will assess the diagnostic performance of integrated UDFF-HeartAI analysis for detecting subclinical cardiac abnormalities and identify predictors of cardiovascular risk progression and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with MASLD.