Clinical Trial: Evaluation of Non-invasive Measurements of Atherosclerosis in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Evaluation of Non-invasive Measurements of Atherosclerosis in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: a Study in a Population-based Cohort and Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia

Brief Summary:

Multiple risk factors contribute to atherosclerosis, which ultimately results in clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis results in both functional and morphological changes in the vessel wall, which can be measured by ultrasonography. The current study has been designed to

  1. To evaluate whether non-invasive measurements of atherosclerosis are independent predictors of cardiovascular disease and
  2. to delineate new biochemical parameters and genetic variations, allowing earlier and more effective preventive therapy
  3. The investigators intend to set guidelines for use of NIMA in an outpatient setting to facilitate early detection of increased cardiovascular risk and monitor life-style and pharmaceutical interventions.

In both the general population and in Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia.


Detailed Summary:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in all developed countries. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of CVD. Abundant evidence indicates the 4 major independent risk factors for atherosclerosis and CVD include cigarette smoking, elevated blood pressure, elevated total cholesterol and diabetes mellitus. However, a major problem in clinical medicine is that at every level of risk factor exposure, there is a large inter-individual variation in the amount of atherosclerosis and the development of CVD. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the CVD risk in an individual patient based on risk factor screening alone.

Non-invasive measurements of atherosclerosis (NIMA): An indicator of the overall effect of all known and unknown potential risk factors for atherosclerosis in vivo can be assessed by measuring atherosclerosis directly in the vessel wall. This also provides the opportunity to measure atherosclerosis before developing symptoms of CVD, as changes in the arterial wall precede clinical symptoms of CVD.

Objectives: (1)The main objective is to evaluate whether NIMA are independent predictors of CVD and thus add information to traditional risk factor stratification. (2) Furthermore, we will delineate new biochemical and genetic risk factors, allowing earlier and more effective preventive therapy. (3) We intend to set guidelines for use of NIMA in an outpatient setting to facilitate early detection of increased cardiovascular risk and monitor life-style and pharmaceutical interventions.

We will evaluate 4 different NIMA, based on ultrasound and tonometry techniques, including intima media thickness (IMT), endothelial function by flow mediated dilation (FMD), ankle-brachial index (ABI), Pulse Wave Analyses(PWA) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). The power of NIMA,
Sponsor: Radboud University

Current Primary Outcome: Cardiovascular events [ Time Frame: 3-7 years ]

Fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events will be evaluated by questionnaire and validated using hospital records and records from general practitioners.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Radboud University

Dates:
Date Received: September 6, 2011
Date Started: May 2005
Date Completion:
Last Updated: March 14, 2012
Last Verified: March 2012