Cardiovascular Disease clinical trials at University of California Health

40 in progress, 23 open to eligible people

Showing trials for

  • Ralinepag to Improve Treatment Outcomes in PAH Patients

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    Study ROR-PH-301, ADVANCE OUTCOMES, is designed to assess the efficacy and safety of ralinepag when added to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) standard of care or PAH-specific background therapy in subjects with World Health Organization (WHO) Group 1 PAH.

    at UC Davis UC Irvine UCLA UCSD

  • Inclisiran to Prevent Cardiovascular Events in High-risk Primary Prevention Patients.

    open to eligible people ages 40-79

    CKJX839D12302 is a pivotal Phase III study designed to test the hypothesis that treatment with inclisiran sodium 300 milligram (mg) subcutaneous (s.c.) administered on Day 1, Day 90, and every 6 months thereafter in patients at high cardiovascular (CV) risk without a prior major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event will significantly reduce the risk of 4-Point-Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (4P-MACE) defined as a composite of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal ischemic stroke, and urgent coronary revascularization, compared to placebo.

    at UCLA UCSD

  • Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System for the Treatment of Symptomatic Mitral Regurgitation

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    Prospective, controlled, multicenter clinical investigation with four trial cohorts: Randomized, Non-repairable, Severe Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC) and Severe Mitral Annular Calcification Continued Access Protocol (MAC CAP). Subjects in the Randomized cohort will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the trial device or to the MitraClip system. Subjects in the Non-repairable, Severe MAC, and Severe MAC CAP cohorts will receive the trial device. The objective of the Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Using the Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System for the Treatment of Symptomatic Mitral Regurgitation (SUMMIT) is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System for the treatment of patients with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation or for patients with symptomatic mitral valve disease due to severe mitral annular calcification. This randomized controlled trial will provide the opportunity to evaluate the safety and clinical benefits of the Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System compared to the MitraClip System in patients with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe or severe mitral regurgitation, within approved MitraClip indications. In addition, the safety and effectiveness of the Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve System will be evaluated in patients with severe mitral annular calcification who are at prohibitive risk for mitral valve surgery. Patients who are not suitable for mitral valve surgery for reasons other than severe mitral annular calcification and are also not suitable for transcatheter repair with MitraClip, will be enrolled in the Non-repairable cohort. Subjects will be seen at screening, pre- and post-procedure, discharge, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months, and annually through 5 years.

    at UC Davis UCSF

  • Lepodisiran on the Reduction of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Adults With Elevated Lipoprotein(a) - ACCLAIM-Lp(a)

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of lepodisiran in reducing cardiovascular risk in participants with high lipoprotein(a) who have cardiovascular disease or are at risk of a heart attack or stroke. The study drug will be administered subcutaneously (SC) (under the skin).

    at UCLA UCSD

  • Chardonnay Marc and Vascular Response

    open to eligible males ages 30-50

    This study aims to obtain data on the potential influence of Vine to Bar product(s) containing Chardonnay marc on cardiometabolic health. These initial studies will inform the design and timing of data collection for future dietary intervention trials that will examine the influence of Chardonnay marc intake on outcomes/biomarkers of both cardiometabolic health and the gut microbiome. This includes collecting data on the potential differences in response to the products based on the unique food matrix for each of the products that will be tested. Moreover, as there is a paucity of data on the influence of cocoa flavanol intake on vascular function beyond 4 hours post intake, the response of the selected outcomes will be assessed after 6 hours of flavanol intake. This is a time point that captures the increased circulating presence of microbial derived flavanol metabolites.

    at UC Davis

  • Cholesterol and Inflammation Lowering Via Bempedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen in HIV Trial (CLEAR HIV Trial)

    open to eligible people ages 40 years and up

    This is a randomized placebo-controlled study in treated and suppressed HIV-infected individuals aged ≥40 years with either known CVD or 1 CVD risk factor to study the effect of Bempedoic acid (BA) on safety, arterial inflammation as assessed by FDG-PET/CT, lipids, inflammation, immune activation, cardiometabolic indices, and non-calcified plaque (NCP) in the coronary arteries (assessed by coronary CT angiography, CCTA). This trial will be enrolled at UCSF and UCLA. Collaborators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) will serve as the core facility for imaging.

    at UCLA UCSF

  • Comparing Perclose to Statseal in Conjunction with Perclose in Femoral 6 French Arteriotomy Closure

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    The purpose of this clinical study is to compare how well two different devices for achieving hemostasis perform in patients undergoing transfemoral procedures with 6 French Access. Both devices are approved by the FDA for this use, and have already been used by clinicians on patients undergoing transfemoral procedures. It is believed that the use of both devices in combination compared to the Perclose alone will shorten the time that it takes to 'seal' the artery, resulting in a shorter period of time that patients would need to lay flat.

    at UCLA

  • PCSK9 Inhibition on Cardiovascular Risk in Treated HIV Infection (EPIC-HIV Study)

    open to eligible people ages 40 years and up

    Atherosclerosis in the setting of HIV infection is distinct and includes increased vascular inflammation, worsened endothelial function, and a predominance of non-calcified plaque. These outcomes can be assessed using specialized noninvasive imaging which strongly predict future CV events in the general population. PCSK9 has emerged as an important pharmacologic target for cholesterol lowering in the general population and recent studies among individuals without HIV have shown that PCSK9 inhibitor therapy is safely tolerated and significantly reduces major CV events in the general population. The investigators will perform a clinical trial of PCSK9 inhibition in the setting of HIV infection. This will be a randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of PCSK9 inhibition on vascular inflammation, endothelial function, and non-calcified plaque using a PCSK9 inhibitor called alirocumab. This study will recruit 140 treated individuals with HIV who are aged 40 and older, with known CVD or risk factors for CVD and who have evidence of vascular inflammation at baseline. The primary and secondary objective of this study is to determine whether PCSK9 inhibition can improve arterial inflammation as assessed by FDG-PET/CT and endothelial function as assessed by flow mediated vasodilation. The investigators will correlate changes in arterial inflammation and endothelial function with lipids and markers of inflammation and immune activation. The tertiary objective is to perform a pilot evaluation of the impact of PCSK9 inhibition on non-calcified plaque as measured by coronary CT angiography. Non-calcified plaque measurements will be correlated with changes in lipid parameters and markers of inflammation and immune activation.

    at UCSF

  • Enhancing Capacity in Churches to Implement PA Programs

    open to eligible females ages 18-65

    Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) to prevent cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, few adult Latinas meet PA guidelines. Given the central role of churches within the Latino community and their commitment to the well-being of their members, they are ideal settings for health promotion. Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for increasing PA and reducing obesity exist, but few PA interventions go to scale. Investigators propose to enhance Faith in Action with three organization-level strategies designed to increase program fit and effectiveness: 1) training church leaders in health promotion; 2) tailoring messaging to enhance fit between Faith in Action and each unique church environment; and 3) empowering community health workers (promotoras) to advocate for organizational change. Given the need to improve strategies to sustain health programs in community settings, investigators will test the influence of two additional sustainment strategies: 1) strengthening community collaborations and 2) providing technical support. Thirty-two churches will be randomly assigned to a Standard EBI group (Faith in Action as originally implemented), an Enhanced group (Standard intervention + organizational-level implementation strategies), or an Enhanced + Sustainment group (Enhanced implementation group + sustainment strategies). Investigators will test the proposed implementation strategies on organization-level change and individual behavior in diverse churches for a 12-month intervention and 6-month follow-up period. The proposed study aims to: 1) Test the short and long-term impacts of organization-level implementation strategies in 2 Enhanced conditions on organizational outcomes compared to the Standard EBI condition and 2) Examine individual behavior change among Latinas (N=812) in churches in the 2 Enhanced conditions compared to the Standard EBI condition. The study's primary hypothesis is that Latina's receiving the Enhanced interventions will increase their PA levels significantly more than those receiving the Standard Faith in Action intervention, and the improvements in PA will be sustained. If successful, findings from the current study will provide evidence of organizational-level strategies for uptake, sustainment, and implementation strategies for scale-up of PA interventions to increase PA and reduce chronic disease in churches across the US.

    at UCSD

  • Insomnia Treatment and Cardiometabolic Health in Older Adults With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

    open to eligible people ages 50 years and up

    This pilot randomized controlled trial will address a gap in knowledge related to addressing modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic disease through treating residual insomnia, sleep difficulties that remain after successful treatment of another condition, in the context of PTSD in understudied older adults. This study provides a non-medication treatment for PTSD called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) followed by one of two non-medication sleep education and treatment programs for sleep problems that remain after completing PTSD treatment in older adults with PTSD. The aims of this project are to evaluate 1) the added benefits of treating residual insomnia on sleep and PTSD symptoms; 2) the added benefits of treating residual insomnia following CPT on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers and quality of life; and 3) the durability of the sleep, PTSD, cardiometabolic and quality of life benefits of treating residual insomnia following CPT at 6-month follow-up in older adults with PTSD.

    at UCLA

  • Pharmacodynamics of Nicotine With Use of Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC)

    open to eligible people ages 21-70

    This is a crossover study that will examine use behaviors, chemical exposures, and biological effects of Standardized Research Electronic Cigarette (SREC) compared to usual brand e-cigarette use in natural or synthetic nicotine users.

    at UCSF

  • REDEFINE 3: A Research Study to See the Effects of CagriSema in People Living With Diseases in the Heart and Blood Vessels

    open to eligible people ages 55 years and up

    This study will look at the effects of CagriSema on cardiovascular events (for example heart attack and stroke) in people living with cardiovascular disease. Participants will either get CagriSema or a dummy medicine (also called "placebo") which has no effect on the body. Which treatment participants will get will be decided by chance. Participant's chance of getting CagriSema or placebo is the same. Participants will inject the study medicine once a week. The study medicine will be injected briefly with a thin needle, typically in the stomach, thighs or upper arms. The study will last for up to 4.5 years.

    at UCLA

  • Role of Race in Nutritional Approach in Men on ADT

    open to eligible males ages 18 years and up

    There is a well-documented association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and cardiovascular morbidity. A majority of men on ADT gain weight contributing to an increase in cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and cardiovascular morbidity. Dietary intervention combined with exercise have shown success in reducing weight/fat mass and improving cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). There is little data on whether African American men would respond to diet and exercise interventions differently from non-Hispanic white men. We will conduct a pilot, controlled two-phase intervention study stratified by race to investigate the following objectives: 1. Compare effect of a hypocaloric, anti-inflammatory diet on changes in fat mass between African- American vs non-Hispanic white men with metastatic prostate cancer on ADT therapy. 2. Compare effect of a hypocaloric, anti-inflammatory diet on changes in cardiovascular risk factors (body weight, lean body mass, waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, lipids and HbA1C) and inflammatory markers (hs-CRP and cytokines) between African-American vs non-Hispanic white men with metastatic prostate cancer on ADT therapy. 3. Compare effect of a hypocaloric, anti-inflammatory diet on changes in cancer-related fatigue and quality of life between African-American vs non-Hispanic white men with metastatic prostate cancer on ADT therapy. We will enroll 35 African American and 35 non-Hispanic white men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT therapy. In phase 1, after baseline assessment, men will consume their habitual diet and continue their habitual activity level for 3 months. During phase 2, participants will be instructed to consume a hypocaloric (-500 kcal), anti- inflammatory diet and walk for 1 hour on 3 days per week for 3 months. At baseline, after phase 1 and 2 primary outcome (fat mass) and secondary outcomes (CVRF and inflammatory markers) and tertiary outcomes (cancer-related fatigue and quality of life) will be determined.

    at UCLA

  • Secondhand Tobacco Smoke and Cardiovascular Disease

    open to eligible people ages 40 years and up

    This is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial of efficacy and safety of an FDA-approved angiotensin receptor blocker (losartan) to improve cardiopulmonary outcomes in individuals with pre-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to prolonged exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke.

    at UCSF

  • Single-tracer Multiparametric PET Imaging

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    The overarching goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a single-tracer multiparametric positron emission tomography (PET) imaging solution for simultaneous imaging of blood flow and glucose metabolism using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) alone. The investigators working hypothesis is that quantitative blood flow can be extracted from dynamic 18F-FDG PET data by use of tracer kinetic modeling, in addition to glucose metabolism that 18F-FDG is conventionally used for.

    at UC Davis

  • Text Education About Cardiovascular Health and HIV (TEACH-HIV)

    open to eligible people ages 40 years and up

    The overall objective is to evaluate the efficacy of educational text messages to reduce cardiovascular risk among persons living with HIV (PLWH).

    at UCSF

  • Retatrutide Once Weekly on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Kidney Outcomes in Adults Living With Obesity (TRIUMPH-Outcomes)

    open to eligible people ages 45 years and up

    The main purpose of this study is to determine if retatrutide can significantly lower the incidence of serious heart-related complications or prevent the worsening of kidney function. The trial will enroll adults with body mass index 27 kg/m^2 or higher and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and/or chronic kidney disease. The study will last for about 5 years. Participants will have up to 27 clinic visits with the study doctor.

    at UCLA

  • EMPOWER Trial - The Carillon Mitral Contour System® in Treating Heart Failure With at Least Mild FMR

    open to eligible people ages 18 years and up

    The objective of this prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Carillon Mitral Contour System in treating heart failure with functional regurgitation (FMR).

    at UCLA UCSF

  • Influence of Chardonnay Marc Intake on Gut and Cardiometabolic Health

    open to eligible females ages 45-70

    Recently a dietary recommendation of 400 - 600 mg/ day has been proposed for the reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Dietary flavanols can be obtained from the intake of foods such as tea, cocoa, wine, berries and apples. Incorporating Chardonnay Marc (the skins and seeds of Chardonnay grapes) into the diet can be an additional source of dietary flavanols. Like other flavanol-rich foods, Chardonnay Marc provides fiber and polysaccharides that may benefit gut health. This study seeks pilot data on the impact of the daily incorporation of Chardonnay Marc powder into the diet on markers of gut and cardiometabolic health.

    at UC Davis

  • Virtual Care Strategies to Improve Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Veterans

    open to eligible people ages 21 years and up

    Home-based CR (HBCR) is an alternative to traditional CR programs that has comparable efficacy in improving morbidity/mortality and increases access to critical services. There is major potential to improve Veteran engagement in CR by combining digital coaching (d-Coaching) with existing VA-supported technologies. The investigator's theory-based intervention targets a critical component of successful CR engagement that is not available through traditional programs: virtual social support through a social network. In addition, the investigators propose to improve self-efficacy and self-regulation through interactive digital multi-media education, personalized feedback, and motivation so that Veterans can complete the prescribed HBCR program and maintain physical activity long-term. This RCT will evaluate the effects of HBCR alone (usual care) versus HBCR + d-Coaching, including a private social media group (Movn), optimized Annie text messaging, VA Video Connect, and connected devices (Fitbits). The investigators will randomly assign 150 Veterans from 2 HBCR programs to a 3-month intervention. The addition of d- Coaching to existing digital technologies will be operationalized by using a private social media group to provide social support, education, personalized feedback, and motivation. The investigators aim to determine the effect of the d-Coaching intervention on: a) the number of completed HBCR sessions over 3 months, b) functional capacity, c) physical activity, c) psychosocial outcomes, d) clinical outcomes, and e) social cognitive factors of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and perceived social support over 6 months. The investigators will also evaluate the extent to which self-efficacy, self-regulation, and perceived social support mediate the effect of the intervention on function and physical activity.

    at UCSF

  • Clinical Transcriptomics in Systemic Vasculitis (CUTIS)

    open to eligible people ages 5 years and up

    Multi-center observational study to evaluate the histopathology and transcriptome of cutaneous lesions in patients with several different types of vasculitis.

    at UCLA

  • Longitudinal Study for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

    open to all eligible people

    Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare immune system disorder that causes asthma, an excessive number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood, and the inflammation of blood vessels, or vasculitis. In order to properly treat EGPA, it is critical that the level of disease activity can be determined over the course of the disease. The purpose of this study is to determine new biological markers, or biomarkers, that may be used to assess the severity of this disease in people with EGPA.

    at UCSD

  • Product Surveillance Registry

    open to all eligible people

    The purpose of the Registry is to provide continuing evaluation and periodic reporting of safety and effectiveness of Medtronic market-released products. The Registry data is intended to benefit and support interests of patients, hospitals, clinicians, regulatory bodies, payers, and industry by streamlining the clinical surveillance process and facilitating leading edge performance assessment via the least burdensome approach.

    at UCLA

  • Daily Oral Orforglipron (LY3502970) Compared With Insulin Glargine in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity or Overweight at Increased Cardiovascular Risk

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The main purpose of this study is to determine safety and efficacy of orforglipron compared with insulin glargine in participants with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight at increased cardiovascular risk. The study will last approximately 2 years may include up to 27 visits.

    at UCLA

  • Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Ralinepag in Subjects With PAH Via an Open-Label Extension

    Sorry, accepting new patients by invitation only

    Study ROR-PH-303, ADVANCE EXTENSION, is an open-label extension (OLE) study for participants with WHO Group 1 PAH who have participated in another Phase 2 or Phase 3 study of ralinepag.

    at UC Davis UC Irvine UCLA UCSD

  • Olezarsen (ISIS 678354) in Participants With Hypertriglyceridemia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, or With Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of olezarsen on percent change in fasting triglyceride (TG) levels compared to placebo in participants with hypertriglyceridemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

    at UCLA UCSD

  • Lipoprotein (a) Lowering With Pelacarsen (TQJ230) on Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients With CVD

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    This is a pivotal phase 3 study designed to support an indication for the reduction of cardiovascular risk in patients with established CVD and elevated Lp(a)

    at UCSD UCSF

  • Cardiovascular Outcome Study to Evaluate the Effect of Obicetrapib in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    This study will be a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 study in participants with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) who are not adequately controlled despite maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy.

    at UCLA

  • EVOLVE-MI: EVOLocumab Very Early After Myocardial Infarction

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of early treatment with evolocumab plus routine lipid management vs routine lipid management alone when administered in the acute setting to reduce myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, arterial revascularization, and all-cause death in subjects hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI] and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]).

    at UC Irvine UCLA

  • INcreasing Statin Prescribing in HIV Behavioral Economics REsearch

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. Recent studies have demonstrated that patients with HIV experience a 50-100% increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke compared to HIV-uninfected persons. They also face higher risks of stroke, sudden death, and heart failure. However, evidence-based statin therapy-which is safe in this population and highly effective at reducing cardiovascular risk-is under-prescribed. The investigators propose a multi-level intervention to increase evidence-based statin prescribing by addressing barriers at these levels. The implementation intervention includes two strategies: (1) tailored education at the leadership, provider, and patient levels, and (2) behavioral economics-informed feedback for providers.

    at UCLA

  • TRISCEND II Pivotal Trial

    “Volunteer for research and contribute to discoveries that may improve health care for you, your family, and your community!”

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    Pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Edwards EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system

    at UC Davis UCSF

  • Olpasiran Trials of Cardiovascular Events and Lipoprotein(a) Reduction (OCEAN(a)) - Outcomes Trial

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The primary objective of this study is to compare the effect of treatment with olpasiran, to placebo, on the risk for coronary heart disease death (CHD death), myocardial infarction, or urgent coronary revascularization in participants with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and elevated Lipoprotein(a).

    at UC Irvine UCLA UCSD

  • Response of Cardiometabolic Biomarkers and Gut Microbiota to Walnut Consumption

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The purpose of this research is to test if eating walnuts will cause any changes in blood lipids (like good and bad cholesterol, for example) and levels of inflammation in the blood, as well as changes in the bacteria living in the gut.

    at UC Davis

  • Inclisiran to Prevent Cardiovascular (CV) Events in Participants With Established Cardiovascular Disease

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    Study CKJX839B12302 is a pivotal Phase III trial to evaluate the benefits of inclisiran on major adverse cardiovascular (MACE) events in participants with established cardiovascular disease (CVD).

    at UC Irvine UCLA UCSD

  • Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS)

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    To determine the extent to which known risk factors predict coronary heart disease and stroke in the elderly, to assess the precipitants of coronary heart disease and stroke in the elderly, and to identify the predictors of mortality and functional impairments in clinical coronary disease or stroke.

    at UC Davis

  • Continuation of the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study

    Sorry, accepting new patients by invitation only

    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in U.S. women at all ages, and large knowledge gaps exist in CVD predictive and preventative strategies for women. The nuMoM2b Heart Health Study (nuMoM2b-HHS) has followed a demographically diverse cohort of women enrolled and richly phenotyped during their first pregnancy, with data and biospecimens prospectively collected for up to 7 years thereafter. The overarching scientific goal of this study is to define the relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and CVD to optimize CVD prediction, prevention, and treatment strategies for women. Continued follow-up of this observational cohort, building on a foundation of existing high-quality data, biospecimens, and administrative structures with a robust framework for ancillary study development and implementation, provides a unique opportunity to address knowledge gaps regarding the early mechanisms and trajectory of CVD in women.

    at UC Irvine

  • Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-COV2 Infections (COVID-19) Registry (INSPIRE)

    Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients

    The Innovative Support for Patients with SARS COV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE) study is a CDC-funded COVID-19 project to understand the long-term health outcomes in recently tested adults, both negative and positive, who have suspected COVID symptoms at the time of their test. Participants will complete short online surveys every 3 months for 18 months, share information about their health using a secure web-based platform, and are compensated for their time.

    at UCLA UCSF

  • Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America

    Sorry, not currently recruiting here

    South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, and Sri Lankan) individuals have high rates of cardiovascular disease that is not explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Though South Asians represent over one-quarter of the world's population, there are no longitudinal studies in this high-risk ethnic group. The investigators aim to establish a longitudinal study of South Asians at three United States centers to identify risk factors linked to subclinical atherosclerosis and incident cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to understand the causes of heart disease and stroke in South Asians and compare these causes to those in other United States ethnic groups.

    at UCSF

  • Ovarian Aging and Cardiovascular Risk

    Sorry, accepting new patients by invitation only

    Despite significant improvements in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the growing aging population suggests CVD will continue to pose a significant public health burden. Women are a special group where microvascular disease is more common and traditional risk factors may not fully identify risk. Women's reproductive history (e.g. menarcheal age, menstrual cycles, infertility, pregnancy, menopause) may pose unique risk and suggests an opportunity for new approaches. The investigators propose a women-centered approach for early identification of women at risk that investigates the unique loss of reproductive function at an age long before other vital systems fail. Despite its importance, little is known about the determinants or correlates of ovarian aging, or the health implications, especially in diverse communities. Only recently have reliable biomarkers of the remaining oocyte pool been available for use in normally cycling women. This availability gives us a unique opportunity to characterize the association between "ovarian age" (cross-sectional) and the rate of "ovarian aging" or oocyte decline over time (longitudinal) and the health implications of accelerated oocyte loss. The investigators hypothesize ovarian age/aging provides a window onto the general health of women. The investigators suggest it is not the progressive deficiency of estrogen with menopause that increases risk, but common underlying cellular aging mechanisms first evident in young populations as lower ovarian reserve (follicle number) due to the unique sensitivity of the ovary. Studies of cellular aging focused on mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and telomere length have identified correlations with CVD risk. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of cellular aging suggests telomere shortening and dysfunction may drive mitochondrial dysfunction and potentially the parallel between cellular aging and CVD. The oocyte is particularly sensitive to mitochondrial dysfunction, having 10 times the number of mitochondria as any somatic cell. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction and telomere shortening have been associated with ovarian aging. This begs the question of whether, given the susceptibility of the ovary to mitochondrial dysfunction, accelerated ovarian aging may be a harbinger of subsequent CVD risk. To address this critical question, the investigators propose to leverage the largest and most ethnically diverse population of normal reproductive-aged women, with detailed measures of ovarian age, and to deploy peripheral endothelial function testing, a non-invasive sensitive marker of early CVD risk. Ovarian aging is thought to be largely genetically determined, but the impact of race/ethnicity has not been fully explored. Evaluating the impact of ethnicity on ovarian aging, and combining this information with the impact of modifiable behavioral risk factors, may help clarify CVD risk in young, ethnically-diverse, reproductive-age women. The investigators believe improving our understanding of factors that affect the rate of oocyte/follicle loss and the relationship with CVD risk factors will promote a novel method to identify women at earlier and/or increased cardiac risk.

    at UCSF

  • Wearables to Define Postpartum Blood Pressure Trajectories and Facilitate Evidence-based Monitoring Guidelines

    Sorry, accepting new patients by invitation only

    To better understand postpartum blood pressure changes, we are proposing a study to monitor blood pressure after delivery in 100 patients who we expect to have normal blood pressure (i.e. low-risk group), 100 patients who we expect to be at risk of new-onset high blood pressure postpartum (i.e. intermediate-risk group), and 100 patients who had high blood pressure prior to pregnancy (or very early, before 20 weeks in pregnancy) who we know are at high risk of blood-pressure related complications postpartum (i.e. high-risk group). Patients will be given a non-invasive wearable device that monitors blood pressure continuously for 6 weeks postpartum. We expect that the daily changes in blood pressure will be different between these groups, which may allow us to better predict who is at risk, how much monitoring is needed, and when to intervene before the blood pressure abnormalities cause complications. The blood pressure device that will be given to patients is the YHE® BP Doctor Med Blood Pressure Smartwatch. This is a highly-accurate medical grade device that has not received FDA clearance. As such, the device is not being used to make blood pressure management and treatment decisions, but rather to gather data on postpartum cardiovascular physiology. Safety stops are built into the protocol such that elevated readings detected by the watch will trigger clinical referrals and validation by standard blood pressure cuffs prior to determine need for treatment.

    at UCSD

Our lead scientists for Cardiovascular Disease research studies include .

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