Clinical Research Directory

Vitamin B6 on Exercise Pressor Reflex on Leg Ischemia-reperfusion

In this study, we are trying to see if vitamin B6 can minimize the amplified blood pressure response to exercise following ischemia-reperfusion injury. We are interested in a protein called P2X3, of which function can be blocked by vitamin B6, in the neurons of our nervous system. It is very important for blood pressure regulation. We would like to see if the P2X3 plays a role in patients' rising blood pressure during exercise. The results of the proposed studies will provide a base for those two potential economic and non-invasive inventions to improve the overall health and well-being of PAD patients.

A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BX-001N in Preventing Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI) and Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE)

This is a Randomized, Single-blind, Multi-center, Placebo-controlled, Phase 2a clinical trial of BX-001N to prevent patients from Cardiac Surgery Associated Acute Kidney Injury (CSA-AKI) and subsequent Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) in approximately 40 participants.

Auricular Vagus Stimulation and STEMI

At the moment, the invasive strategy for the infarct-associated coronary artery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) necessary to save the myocardium and reduce the size of the necrosis zone remains the leading one. However, despite the high efficiency of providing medical care to patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), there remains a high mortality and disability of this group of patients. In this regard, the search for new drug and non-drug strategies for the treatment of patients with ACS is actively continuing. Over the past decade, it has been shown that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TENS) has a cardioprotective effect both in chronic heart failure and in coronary heart disease, improves cardiac function, prevents reperfusion injury, weakens myocardial remodeling, increases the effectiveness of defibrillation and reduces the size of a heart attack. One of the methods of noninvasive stimulation of the afferent fibers of the vagus nerve is percutaneous electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. However, further studies are needed to determine whether stimulation of the tragus can improve the long-term clinical outcome in this cohort of patients.

OSA as a Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in Vascular Surgery

Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is inevitable and may lead to postoperative multi-organ failure. Remote ischemic preconditioning (short periods of ischemia in anticipation of longer period of ischemia) may act protectively against ischemia. Studies of ischemic preconditioning in patients with AAA are conflicting. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disordered breathing syndrome which may have a protective effect against ischemia. The investigators hypothesize that I/R injury will be less pronounced in patients who have OSA and that the extent of I/R injury will inversely correlate with OSA severity. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to compare postoperative complications and markers of I/R in patients undergoing elective AAA repair who do and do not have OSA.

Differential Impact of Pringle and Portal Vein Occlusion on Myocardial Injury After Non-Cardiac Surgeries.

This study aims to investigate the impact of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) on the incidence of myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) and explore the potential underlying mechanisms. A bidirectional cohort study will be conducted, enrolling patients scheduled for major hepato-biliary surgery. Clinical data, perioperative parameters, and postoperative follow-up data will be systematically collected. The incidence of MINS between patients undergoing Pringle occlusion and portal vein occlusion will be compared, and a multivariate analysis will be performed to identify independent risk factors for MINS, providing a basis for early recognition and prevention of MINS.

Intravenous Estrogen in Kidney Transplant Study

Ischemia perfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of organ injury during kidney transplantation. Currently there are no treatments for IRI other than dialysis. Preliminary studies in female mice have found protection from IRI when given short term estrogen supplements. This study will look at the effect of intravenous estrogen given peri-operatively to reduce the effect of IRI in female kidney transplant recipients.

NAD+ Augmentation in Cardiac Surgery Associated Myocardial Injury Trial

A Randomized, Double-blind, placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Nam for the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing On-Pump Cardiac Surgery

Hypertonic Lactate After Cardiac Arrest

The study is intended to test the hypothesis that sodium lactate infusion after resuscitation from a cardiac arrest will decrease the magnitude of brain damage, as measured by the serum biomarker concentration of NSE.

Protecting Autologous Free Flaps From Ischemia/Reperfusion Damage With Cold Storage.

Reconstructive microsurgery allows autologous transplantation of flaps. The procedure causes temporary ischemia. The absence of perfusion and the post-anastomosis reperfusion causes ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage and an increased percentage of flap complications associated with the longer duration of the ischemia time. In reconstructive surgery the utilization of preservation solution is very limited. The research hypothesis is that cold storage of free flaps might offer benefits. The present study is a RCT to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a cold preservation (using the UW solution) of the free flaps from I/R damage in oncological microsurgical reconstructions. Blood perfusion will be intraoperatively evaluated through indocyanine green and SPY-DHI. Moreover, patients' outcomes will be evaluated postoperatively through clinical and radiological examinations, particularly focusing on somatosensory recovery and dental rehabilitation after mandibular reconstruction.

Intermittent Versus Continuous Surface O2 During HMP of DCD Kidneys

The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of this bubble and surface oxygenation and to determine the optimal timing of surface oxygenation (continuous versus intermittent) as alternative for membrane-oxygenated kidneys, originating from DCD donors, during HMP on early graft function in clinical practice.

Safety and Efficacy of Treprostinil (Remodulin®) In Reducing Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury During Kidney Transplantation

The objectives of this study are to test the preliminary safety and efficacy of a two-day peri-operative course of treprostinil in reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult patients receiving a deceased donor kidney transplantation. Treprostinil, a prostacyclin analog, is expected to facilitate the restoration of blood supply to the revascularized kidney graft via its vasodilatory actions, well characterized protective effects, and longer elimination half-life. These properties and actions of treprostinil make it a strong drug candidate to reduce kidney graft dysfunction during kidney transplantation. An anticipated 20 participants undergoing deceased donor kidney transplant will be hospitalized and intensively monitored during an entire two-day Treatment Phase. An IV infusion using a dedicated central venous line will be used to administer treprostinil commencing approximately 2-3 hours before transplantation of the kidney graft and will continue for approximately 48 hours after completion of the transplant surgery. The primary endpoints include the safety and efficacy of treprostinil, with secondary endpoints including the evaluation of both biochemical and clinical endpoints post-transplantation.

Abdominal Regional Perfusion in Donation After Cardiac Death for Multi-Organ Transplantation

The main purpose of this study is to increase the pool of organs available for donation by performing ARP to recondition donation after cardiac death (DCD) organs prior to transplantation. We will compare the outcomes of our ARP DCD liver transplants with historical data to determine the efficacy of this treatment compared to transplantation with standard DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) organs. We will also analyze biological samples from donors and recipients and compare them with outcome data in an effort to determine if any biological markers are able to predict the quality/success of the grafts.