Clinical Trials

In this study, quantitative characterization of plaque using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) will be used to determine if women who were treated with intensive medical therapy have a greater reduction in the amount and type of cholesterol plaque compared to women receiving usual care and if this results in beneficial changes in clinical symptoms. The study will provide an understanding of how intensive medical therapy works in providing clinical benefit in women with nonobstructive plaque.

This is a technical development study with the goal to develop 3D techniques for atherosclerosis plaque characterization. We hypothesize that 3D MRI is superior to 2D MRI in characterizing major plaque constituents that contribute to severe clinical events such as myocardial infarction or stroke. The major advantages of the 3D techniques to be developed will include high spatial resolution, reduced scan times, and optimized image contrast. The use of contrast injection is not needed with the new techniques, which is greatly beneficial for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. This is not a funded clinical trial.

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.

In this study, quantitative characterization of plaque using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) will be used to determine if women who were treated with intensive medical therapy have a greater reduction in the amount and type of cholesterol plaque compared to women receiving usual care and if this results in beneficial changes in clinical symptoms.

The goal of this work is to develop and test a noninvasive ultrasound-based imaging technology to better identify patients at high risk of stroke so that appropriate and timely intervention may be administered to prevent it.

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

The goal of this observational study is to learn more about plaque biology in asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) patients through imaging. Participants will be asked to undergo a carotid PET-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination to assess whether the carotid atherosclerosis uptake of 64Cu-CANF-Comb as measured by PET-MRI correlates with patient outcomes (stroke, transient ischemic attack, or remote ipsilateral intervention).

Do you have psoriasis? This study is exploring possible links among several diseases associated with chronic inflammation. Participants with an inflammatory disease called psoriasis will be monitored to learn more about whether this condition affects their risk for developing high blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old and have psoriasis. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Do you or your child have obesity and high blood cholesterol or triglycerides? This study is testing the use of a statin in young people to see whether early treatment of high blood cholesterol can affect the risk of developing plaque in blood vessels. Participants in this study must be age 10-17, have a body mass index (BMI) in the obese range, be fluent in English, and not be pregnant.

Do you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or have experienced a psychosocial trauma, or want to help research? This study uses positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) to look at the relationship between psychosocial stress and systemic inflammation/atherosclerosis. This study is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York.