Clinical Research Directory

Comparative Study on the Mode of Action of Vicadrostat and Spironolactone on Protein Profiles and Renal Hemodynamic Effects (COMPARE-VS)

In this study, investigators will compare the effect of vicadrostat combined with empagliflozin with the effect of spironolactone combined with empagliflozin on renal function and changes in protein profiles in blood and urine. The hypothesis is that the renal and cardiac responses between vicadrostat and spironolactone differ due to mechanistic differences in their mode of action. Spironolactone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) and exerts its effect on a receptor, or a type of "receiver," found on various cells. Vicadrostat is an aldosterone synthase inhibitor (ASI) and inhibits aldosterone production. Therefore, both drugs affect aldosterone. However, studies evaluating the differences between MRAs (such as spironolactone) and ASI (such as vicadrostat) and examining their effects on the kidneys in patients with chronic kidney disease with concurrent cardiovascular disease, and/or heart failure are still lacking. For this study, all participants will be divided into two groups: * Group 1. Participants in this group will receive one tablet of vicadrostat (10 mg) and one tablet of empagliflozin (10 mg) daily for 26 weeks. * Group 2. Participants in this group will receive one tablet of spironolactone (25 mg) and one tablet of empagliflozin (10 mg) daily for the first four weeks. Participants in this group will then receive two tablets of spironolactone (50 mg) and one tablet of empagliflozin (10 mg) daily for the remaining 22 weeks. The spironolactone dosage may be adjusted during the study period (from 12.5 to 50 mg) based on blood test results.

Uppsala Self-Screening of Cardiovascular Health (U-SCREEN)

U-SCREEN is a randomized controlled trial evaluating whether systematic home-based multimodal screening for cardiovascular risk conditions, offered to residents in Region Uppsala turning 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 or 75 years of age, can identify clinically actionable cardiovascular risk factors more effectively than usual care. Participants randomized to the screening arm receive a home blood pressure measurement device, a dried blood spot sampling kit (for ApoB, HbA1c and creatinine), and a digital questionnaire. The control arm receives usual care. Recruitment runs 2024-2027 with a target identification of 10,000 cardiovascular risk conditions.

A Post-Approval, Single-Arm Study of the SYNERGY Stent System in China

A prospective, observational, single-arm, open-label, multicenter, post-approval study. To compile real-world clinical outcomes data for the SYNERGYTM MONORAILTM Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent System (SYNERGYTM Stent System) in real-world clinical practice in China.

Watermelon Dose Response Blood Pressure Study

1. Primary outcome: To evaluate the dose response effects of watermelon flesh in regulating Blood Pressure (BP) in individuals with pre-hypertension. 2. Secondary outcomes: To study the dose-response effects of watermelon flesh intake on cardio-metabolic risk factors including plasma metabolic markers, lipid profile and nitrate/nitrite levels in individuals with pre-hypertension.

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.

People With CHC Who Achieved a Sustained Virological Response Following Therapy With Direct Acting Antiviral Agents

Background: Chronic hepatitis C infects the liver. It may scar the liver. This is called cirrhosis and may lead to liver cancer or death. Current chronic hepatitis C treatments cure most people. But some keep getting complications even after it is cured. Researchers want to study why. Objective: To study the course and complications of liver disease after cure of hepatitis C infection. Eligibility: Adults 18 years and older infected with chronic hepatitis C virus who were never treated or were treated and not cured and those who were cured Design: Participants will be screened with: Blood and urine tests Questionnaires Liver ultrasound Fibroscan. A probe vibrates the liver, testing stiffness. In Phase 1, people with chronic hepatitis C will: Have a 3-day hospital admission to repeat some screening tests and have a liver biopsy. A small piece of liver is removed by needle passed through the skin. Take 1 tablet containing 2 hepatitis C drugs once a day for 12 weeks. Repeat some blood tests at 3 visits in those 12 weeks while on treatment, then 4 additional visits in the next 24 weeks with more blood work collected. Phase 1 participants who test negative for hepatitis C and all other eligible participants will enter Phase 2. Phase 2 participants will have a visit every 24 weeks for 10 years. These may include: Repeats of screening tests Questionnaires Scans Stool tests Chest x-ray Heart function test Endoscopy. A tube guides a camera into the upper digestive system. At about 5 years, participants will have another liver biopsy. Some participants will give separate consent for genetic testing and a special blood procedure.

EASi-PROTKT™ - A Study to Test Vicadrostat (BI 690517) Taken Together With Empagliflozin in People With Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease

This study is open to adults with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. People can join the study if they have these conditions and do not have a history of heart failure. The purpose of this study is to find out if a medicine called vicadrostat, when taken with empagliflozin, helps reduce cardiovascular risk in people with these conditions. The study will compare this combination to a placebo version of vicadrostat with empagliflozin. Participants are put into 2 groups randomly, which means by chance. One group takes vicadrostat and empagliflozin tablets, and the other group takes placebo tablets with empagliflozin. Placebo tablets look like vicadrostat tablets but do not contain any medicine. Participants take a tablet once per day for 2 and a half years and up to 4 years and 3 months. All participants also continue their medication for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Participants have an equal chance of receiving the study medicine or placebo. Participants are in the study for up to 4 years and 3 months. During this time, they visit the study site regularly. During these visits, doctors collect information about participants' health and take blood samples. The doctors document when participants experience cardiovascular events. The doctors also regularly check participants' health and take note of any unwanted effects.

A Tool to Help Patients With Muscle Symptoms After Taking a Statin Medication.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an educational website can help patients make an informed decision and engage in shared decision-making with their healthcare provider regarding cholesterol lowering medication use after they have stopped statin therapy due to self-reported muscle symptoms from taking a statin medication. The main questions the trial aims to answer are: 1. Compared to usual care, are patients who engage with the website after experiencing statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) more likely to retry statin therapy? 2. Compared to usual care, are patients who retry statin therapy after engaging with the website more likely to persist on statin therapy? Researchers will compare people randomized to use the website to those who are receiving usual care to see if statin re-start and persistence rates change. All participants will take baseline questionnaires and receive usual care as they would if they were not in the study (e.g., visit their doctor, get labs drawn, take medication as prescribed). Patients randomized to the website arm will be asked to engage with content in a website which is anticipated to take most patients approximately 30-minutes. Their clinician will then contact them for a follow-up visit as needed.

Evaluation of Fibrotic Disease Activity in Cardiopulmonary Disorders Using 18F-Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor (18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT Imaging)

Study Description: Fibroblast activation protein-targeted PET detects activated fibroblasts in a range of inflammatory and fibrosing cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. It is a sensitive and quantifiable intervention to diagnose and monitor the natural history of cardiopulmonary disorders and/or the effects of antifibrotic interventions. Objectives: Primary objective: To compare 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT to standard of care (SOC) imaging (18F-FDG-PET/CT, non-contrast chest CT, and cardiac MRI for heart cohort) to detect fibrosis. Secondary objective: To compare the ability of 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT imaging to assess the natural history or treatment responses with standard of care imaging in cardiopulmonary diseases associated with fibrosis. Exploratory objectives: To use high density proteomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic analysis of specimens from lung and/or blood to define associated mechanisms and biomarkers of active fibrosis with the visualization and quantification of FAP expression. Endpoints: Primary: Compare 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT to standard of care (SOC) imaging with 18F-FDG-PET/CT (with the rate of concordance defined as a quantitative measure of the abnormal lung parenchyma detected in both the FAPI and FDG PET scans ranging from 0 to 100%) and cardiac MRI for heart cohort for the development of pulmonary or cardiovascular fibrosis at baseline These findings will be evaluated separately in six different at-risk cohorts (allogeneic stem cell transplant, lung allograft transplant, interstitial lung disease, acute lung injury, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cardiovascular disease). Secondary: Compare the ability of 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT imaging to assess the progression of fibrosis or treatment response compared to SOC imaging. The magnitude of change in 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT uptake (SUVmax and mean/median) between scans one and two will be compared. Comparisons of the quantitative chest CT abnormalities will be compared to both 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT and 18F-FDGPET/CT scans. These findings will be evaluated separately in six different at-risk cohorts (allogeneic stem cell transplant, lung allograft transplant, interstitial lung disease, acute lung injury, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cardiovascular disease). Comparison of 18F-FAPI-74 PET/CT to standard of care (SOC) imaging at up to 12 months after the initial scan at baseline and change from the baseline. Exploratory: To use high density proteomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic analysis of specimens from lung and/or blood to define associated biomarkers and mechanisms of active fibrosis with the visualization and quantitation of FAP expression.

Cardiac Dysfunction in Childhood Cancer Survivors

This multicenter, prospective cohort study evaluates early cardiac dysfunction in adult survivors of childhood cancer. The hypothesis of this study is that cardiac dysfunction can be detected earlier when using speckle tracking echocardiography as novel echocardiographic technique compared to conventional echocardiography.

Thrombosis and Inflammation in Vessels Initiative (TIVI)

Background: Diseases related to the immune system, blood clots, and blood vessels can affect every part of the body. These diseases are now known to be interrelated: People who have strokes, blood clots in their legs, or autoimmune disease, for example, are at greater risk of complications in the heart, brain, and other organs. Researchers want to learn more about how these diseases start, how they change over time, and how they affect different organs. Objective: To learn more about how inflammation and diseases of the blood vessels start and how they change over time. Eligibility: People aged 5 years and older with a disease related to blood clots, the immune system, or blood vessels. Healthy relatives of people with these diseases and unrelated healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have a baseline visit: They will provide a medical history, physical exam and blood test. All other tests and procedures are optional; these may be spread over more than 1 day: Tests of heart and lung function. Fill in a family tree form. Imaging scans Treadmill or bike stress tests and a 6-minute walk test. Tests of blood pressure and the flow of blood through vessels. Photos of the face and body. Eye exams, with photos taken of the retina. Saliva and urine samples. Biopsies (tissues samples) of the skin and fat. Tests of thinking and mental function. Evaluations by other medical specialists. Participants may opt to return for repeat testing for up to 90 months (7.5 years). Some visits may be done by telehealth.

A Feasibility Study of the Millipede Transcatheter Annuloplasty Ring System in Patients With Functional Mitral Regurgitation

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the Millipede Transcatheter Annuloplasty Ring System in subjects with functional mitral regurgitation

Penn Medicine Biobank Return of Results Program

The goal of this hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation study is to evaluate and compare different ways of delivering genetic research results to participants. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Is sharing actionable genetic research results with participants through a multimedia patient-informed eHealth intervention (e.g. patient portal) no worse than sharing results by telephone or videoconference with a genetic counselor? * Will research participants access an eHealth educational intervention or chatbot education to learn about research results being offered and the option to decline learning their individual research results and how frequently participants choose to decline actionable research results? * Who benefits less and more from digital intervention with return of actionable research results and what barriers exist to using these tools for return of research results outside this study? Participants in the biobank will be offered digital tools to learn about research results being offered and the option to decline receiving these results. Those who don't decline and have an actionable result will be randomly assigned to receive their results with a genetic counselor or through an eHealth portal. Participants will complete surveys before and after receipt of results to understand patient experiences with these methods of education and return of results to determine if digital tools can be used to help ensure more patients get access to research results which could impact their health.

Exercise Activity Intervention With Sensor-Based Engagement in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects 1 in 4 individuals during their lifetime and continues to increase in frequency and impact. Exercise intervention has established benefits to improve AF symptoms and burden in clinical studies. However, lack of access to exercise programs has limited therapeutic adoption. The growth of technology-driven health care and diagnostics, recognized as an emerging priority by the American Heart Association, offers an opportunity for a pragmatic and patient-centered approach to meet this need. EASE-AF is a prospective, interventional study with a sequential run-in control to evaluate if a digital health-driven, patient-centered exercise intervention improves AF symptoms and burden. The research team will enroll 120 patients with symptomatic, paroxysmal AF. The main impact of this study will be the establishment of evidence for a novel, pragmatic paradigm for a patient-centered, digital technology-driven personalized exercise intervention for patients with AF.

Pivotal Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the P&F TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System

Pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the P\&F TricValve® Transcatheter Bicaval Valve System.

The Prevalence of COPD in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease and the Benefit of Cardiopulmonary Co-management

This is a multi-center, prospective, and interventional study conducted in 3 types of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) participants , including 3 cohorts which are patients with newly or previously diagnosed coronary heart disease ( CHD), atrial fibrillation ( AF) and chronic heart failure (CHF).

Role of Aging and Individual Variation in Exercise Training Responsiveness

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the effects of aging on markers of physical reserve and exercise-induced adaptations in resilience in older adults who completed a structured exercise program within the last 15 years (Parent trial: STRRIDE-PD; NCT00962962). This feasibility pilot study will enroll up to 26 participants to complete a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention.

Clinical Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation for Low-risk Patients With Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism

The clinical significance of pulmonary embolism (PE) limited to the subsegmental pulmonary arteries, so called isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE), remains controversial. Whether isolated SSPE represents "true" PE, a clinically more benign form of PE, a physiologic lung clearing process, or a false positive result (artifact) is currently unclear and hence, whether patients with isolated SSPE benefit from anticoagulant treatment is uncertain. Despite growing evidence from observational studies that withholding anticoagulation may be a safe option in selected patients with isolated SSPE (i.e., those without concomitant deep vein thrombosis, cancer, etc.), most patients with isolated SSPE receive anticoagulant treatment, which is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. The overall objective of the randomized controlled SAFE-SSPE trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clinical surveillance without anticoagulation compared to anticoagulation treatment in low-risk patients with isolated SSPE.

Testing VIRTUES Patient Care Sets in Cardiac Patients (VIRTUES Cardiac Care)

Patients with various cardiac conditions (such as those who experience a heart attack) are increasing in Canada and are in need of appropriate cardiac rehabilitation and care. Many patients do not have access to local in-person cardiac clinics, particularly in rural regions of Canada. A user-friendly digital application with accessible educational resources and recommendations based on the most up to date clinical practice guidelines can help mitigate these issues. VIRTUES is a digital healthcare application that targets 11 modifiable modules as follows: 1. antithrombotic management 2. lipid management 3. rate and rhythm control for atrial fibrillation 4. heart failure care 5. post myocardial infarction care 6. blood sugar management 7. blood pressure management 8. physical activity 9. healthy eating 10. smoking cessation 11. alcohol reduction Of the 11 total modules, the first 7 listed provide recommendations in VIRTUES. The remaining 4 (physical activity, healthy eating, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction) consist of simple referrals to existing recommendations (i.e., for healthy eating and physical exercise) and referrals to existing local programs (i.e., for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction). Thus, in this cohort study, the investigators will test the primary 7 modules with 200 patients per module for approximately one month each in order to obtain feedback on the usability of each module. The investigators will also conduct virtual focus group discussions to obtain open ended feedback on the application. This study will provide valuable feedback, which will be used to improve and adapt the VIRTUES platform.

Sympathetic Activity in Post-injury Outcomes: Impact on Sleep and caRdiovascular Health InvesTigation

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the long-term health of United States military service members who were injured during combat. The main questions it aims to examine are: * How does the severity of a combat injury impact 1) cardiovascular risk, 2) the sympathetic nervous system and arrhythmias, 3) blood pressure, and 4) sleep disorders? * Are self-reported mental health symptoms related to sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular risk in combat-injured service members? This study will recruit from a sample of participants in another research study called the Wounded Warrior Recovery Project (WWRP) who 1) agreed to be contacted about future research studies and 2) have a record of a combat injury within the Injury Severity Score ranges required for this study. Participants will: * Provide demographic information and a medical history review * Visit a local laboratory for biometrics measurements and to provide blood and urine samples * Wear an ambulatory electrocardiogram monitor for 24 hours per day for seven consecutive days * Wear a home sleep test monitoring device for one night * Wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 consecutive hours on the day after the home sleep test At the end of the study, participants will be asked to mail back the home sleep test and blood pressure monitors. Prepaid package materials will be provided.

Gravity Stent-Retriever System For Reperfusion Of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Trial

The study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Supernova stent retriever device, developed by Gravity Medical Technology, for treating acute ischemic stroke. The device is used to remove blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain .

A Study of Retatrutide (LY3437943) in Participants With Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of retatrutide once weekly in participants with obesity and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study will last about 113 weeks.

Diabetes and Heart Disease Risk in Blacks

It is unknown if obesity contributes to the development of heart disease in African American men and women. This study was created to determine whether there is a relationship between sex and body size and the incidence of heart disease in African American men and women. Researchers will attempt to associate obesity with the presence of heart disease risk factors. Risk factors that will be studied include; total body fat, body fat distribution, fat content of the blood (triglyceride concentration, low density lipoproteins \[LDL\], and high density lipoproteins \[HDL\]), how fast fat is removed from the blood, and how well insulin works in the body. Scientific studies have shown that obesity and increased levels of fat content in the blood are important risk factors for heart disease in Caucasian women. However, similar studies in African American women have failed to show the same correlation. In fact, it appears that African American women in all three body weight groupings, nonobese, overweight, and obese experience high death rates due to heart disease. In addition, prior research has shown that obese African American men tend to have elevated levels of fat in the blood while African American women have normal blood fat levels. Therefore, if high levels of triglycerides (fat found in the blood) are not seen in non-diabetic obese African American women, it cannot be considered a risk factor in this population. This suggests that studies conducted on Caucasian women may not provide insight into heart disease risk factors in African American women. The study will take 2000 healthy non-diabetic African American men and women (ages 18-70) and body mass index 3 subgroups; nonobese, overweight and obese. Diabetes undeniably increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore patients suffering from diabetes will not be included in the study. Candidates for the study will undergo a series of tests and examinations over 2 outpatient visits. Subjects will have body fat analyses, resting energy expenditure measurements, an EKG (electrocardiogram), and specific blood tests. Researchers believe this study will provide significant insight into the causes of obesity and heart disease in African Americans....

Cardiovascular Risk in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients Undergoing Endovascular Revascularisation

This study will investigate heart-related complications in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular revascularization procedures to improve blood flow in the legs. Previous studies have shown that some patients develop silent heart injury after these procedures, even without symptoms, and that this may be associated with worse long-term outcomes. Approximately 500 patients will be included in the study. Blood tests for cardiac biomarkers, including high-sensitivity troponin and NT-proBNP, will be performed before and after the procedure. Participants will also undergo ultrasound examination of the heart to assess heart function, including advanced measures that may detect early or subtle heart damage. In addition, heart rate variability will be measured using a short electrocardiogram recording. Patients will be followed for 30 days and 1 year after the procedure to assess the occurrence of major cardiovascular events, limb-related complications, and death. Additional blood samples will be collected and stored for future analysis of inflammation, oxidative stress, and genetic markers that may help explain the mechanisms associated with heart injury and prognosis in these patients.