Articles tagged with Clinical Trials
A first-of-its-kind randomized trial comparing two stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation lesions has found that culotte stenting is associated with lower rates of restenosis and revascularization. Culotte stenting demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over TAP stenting in terms of clinical outcomes.
A large-scale clinical trial found that non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) can be safely used as an alternative to warfarin before cardioversion in atrial fibrillation patients. Edoxaban was shown to be equally effective as current use of warfarin, and expedited the process from initial standard treatment.
A new clinical decision rule, HERDOO2, has been validated in the REVERSE II trial, enabling the identification of women at low risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism who can safely discontinue anticoagulants. The study found that over half of these women could stop taking anticoagulants without increasing their risk.
The CE-MARC 2 trial found that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) significantly reduced rates of unnecessary angiography compared to guideline-directed care. These findings suggest that functional imaging should be adopted on a wider basis, even in high-risk patient subgroups.
The CONSERVE trial found that non-invasive computed tomography (CT) can safely reduce costs by guiding more selective use of invasive coronary angiography. The study associated lower rates of invasive procedures and cost savings in stable symptomatic patients with suspected coronary artery disease.
An analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial found osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) reduced length of hospital stay and lowered in-hospital mortality rates for elderly pneumonia patients. OMT was associated with improved outcomes, particularly in the subgroup with the highest severity of illness.
The MORE-CARE trial found that remote monitoring of cardiac devices did not improve hard clinical outcomes, but showed cost savings and reduced in-office visits, with a 41% reduction in healthcare resource utilization
A phase II-a randomized trial showed that intravenously administered mesenchymal stem cells resulted in improved health status and functional capacity in patients with chronic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, but no significant cardiac structural or functional improvements were observed.
The NIPPON study found that shorter dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is comparable to longer DAPT in terms of net adverse clinical and cerebrovascular events. A combination of short DAPT and a newer DES with bioabsorbable coating may minimize thrombotic events and bleeding complications.
The CHART-1 trial, a large-scale cardiovascular study, investigated the use of bone-marrow stem cells to treat congestive heart failure. Although findings were neutral in the overall patient population, an exploratory analysis identified a sub-group that may benefit from cardiopoietic cell therapy.
A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that direct catheter-based thrombectomy is as effective as traditional thrombolytic treatment in treating acute ischemic strokes. The procedure was performed in a timely manner and resulted in comparable outcomes, with 41% of patients achieving good functional recover...
A clinical trial at the University of Iowa will compare the effects of two popular diets on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. The 36-week trial will recruit 100 people with relapsing-remitting MS and follow their health for 24 weeks, monitoring their health and activities.
A clinical trial led by Jeff Elias at the University of Virginia Health System found that focused ultrasound is safe and effective in reducing shaking caused by essential tremor. Participants showed significant improvement in disabilities and quality of life, with mean tremor scores improving by 47% at three months.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic, along with the Geroscience Network, published six manuscripts mapping strategies for new drugs targeting aging processes. The goal is to treat multiple age-related diseases and disabilities, reducing healthcare costs by delaying or preventing conditions like stroke, heart disease, and dementia.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has found that flu nasal sprays provide similar protection against influenza as standard flu shots. The study, conducted over three years in a Hutterite colony, shows that the nose spray had a similar effect to the standard flu shot in protecting both children and community members.
A lower blood pressure target than the currently guideline-recommended goal of 140/90 mm Hg was found to be safe and associated with protection against premature death. This strategy also protected against kidney failure in patients with higher levels of proteinuria.
Scott Friedman calls on the next president to boost NIH funding, invest in physician-scientists, and promote disease prevention and access to medical care. He advocates for public-private partnerships, clinical trials with repurposed drugs, and democratizing access to clinical trials.
A world-first clinical trial found that people who inject drugs can receive safe and effective hepatitis C treatment while on opioid substitution therapy. The results show excellent treatment adherence rates of over 95% and low reinfection rates, contradicting long-held assumptions about drug users' ability to adhere to medication.
A clinical trial found that thiamine-fortified fish sauce improved erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate concentrations in lactating women and their breastfed infants. The study suggests that fortified fish sauce could be a simple and sustainable vehicle for thiamine fortification throughout Southeast Asia.
A recent study found that nearly half of pediatric clinical trials are either discontinued early or remain unpublished in the medical literature. The research suggests significant inefficiency and waste in the field, with more than 8,000 children participating in unfinished trials and over 69,000 enrolled in completed but unpublished t...
A review suggests that acupuncture improves subtle memory loss before dementia development, with potential benefits when combined with drug treatment. However, more rigorous clinical trials are required to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and ability to generate an immune system response in participants. The investigational DNA vaccine aims to prevent Zika virus infection, which can cause serious birth defects.
The Alzheimer's Association has launched a $7 million challenge to accelerate Alzheimer's disease therapy, focusing on brain inflammation and the immune system. Four cutting-edge clinical trials will receive $1 million each to advance research, with the goal of unlocking new treatments for this devastating disease.
Symptom spikes, also called exacerbations, were found to be common in children after concussion, with about one-third experiencing them. The study suggests that returning to full activities too quickly increases the risk of a symptom spike, but these events may not be clinically significant.
The University of Utah School of Medicine's Data Coordinating Center has been awarded a $25 million grant to form one of three Trial Innovation Centers (TICs) to improve clinical research. The TICs aim to streamline trial protocols, eliminate bottlenecks, and support randomized drug trials.
The UK Lung Cancer Screening randomized controlled trial found that CT screening did not cause unnecessary anxiety, despite fear and stigma being barriers to participation. The trial recruited over 4,000 participants aged 50-75 at high risk of lung cancer, with a significant reduction in deaths for those who received screening.
Researchers found lifestyle modification programs, modeled on diabetes prevention programs, resulted in weight reduction and additional metabolic benefits such as reduced blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Programs with maintenance components showed larger benefits.
The study successfully met primary endpoints, showing non-inferior revascularization rates with the new stent retriever device. Patients achieved similar clinical outcomes without selecting viable brain tissue, supporting the use of aspiration alone or with stent retriever thrombectomy.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has begun a Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an experimental yellow fever vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic. The trial will assess whether the investigational vaccine can prevent yellow fever virus infection and induce a strong immune response.
The Penumbra 3D Trial demonstrated non-inferiority in safety and efficacy of a next-generation stent retriever when used with aspiration devices compared to solo aspiration use. Revascularization rates were comparable between the two groups, suggesting frontline effectiveness of the combined therapy.
Patients with three or fewer metastatic brain tumors who received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone had less cognitive deterioration and improved quality of life compared to those who received SRS combined with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that ...
A new trial has found that robotic and open prostate cancer surgeries achieve similar results in terms of quality of life indicators, urinary function, and sexual function. Longer-term follow-up is needed to assess the full impact on cancer survival.
A supervised self-monitoring approach, which includes adjusted treatment or reinforcing lifestyle changes when needed, was found to be effective in controlling diabetes. The study showed better glycaemic control and lower glycated haemoglobin levels in the intervention arm compared to those who received usual care.
A study by Dr. Kalipada Pahan found that cinnamon improves learning in poor mice by increasing sodium benzoate, a chemical produced as cinnamon breaks down in the body. The effect appears to be due mainly to sodium benzoate's ability to stimulate hippocampal plasticity and enhance the structural integrity of brain cells.
Researchers are testing a new treatment using cells derived from umbilical cord tissue to target age-related macular degeneration. The therapy aims to prevent further loss of rod and cone cells and potentially restore vision in patients with advanced dry macular degeneration.
Researchers found that people's expected performance ratings were influenced by the performance of others, particularly in cooperative situations. The brain imaging data revealed two distinct regions involved in estimating one's own abilities and those of others.
Researchers propose using nudges to influence patients' decisions to enroll in trials, leveraging psychology and economics. Strategies include conveying participant numbers, default enrollment in low-risk trials, and financial incentives.
This CVIA special issue explores the latest research and treatments for resistant hypertension, including renal denervation and percutaneous coronary intervention. The featured papers examine the role of radiation exposure in coronary interventional procedures and the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting.
A Phase 3 clinical trial found deutetrabenazine significantly decreased chorea in HD patients, with improvements also seen in quality of life measures. The drug was well-tolerated and effective in treating chorea associated with Huntington disease.
A vaccine developed by Brazilian and US researchers has been successfully tested in mice trials, preventing viral replication and inducing a protective immune response. The vaccine targets the premembrane protein and external envelope protein of Zika virus, offering hope for humans in the near future.
Patients with melanoma and their partners can help detect early signs of a second primary melanoma with skin self-examination. A clinical trial found that trained partners identified 43 new melanomas, compared to none in the control group.
A large placebo-controlled study found that testosterone therapy significantly improved sexual interest and function in older men with low libido and low testosterone levels. The study, the largest of its kind, showed consistent improvement in most types of sexual activity among those who received testosterone therapy.
A new clinical trial shows that modulating brain plasticity can partially restore vision in patients with glaucoma and optic nerve damage after 10 days of noninvasive stimulation. The treatment improved visual acuity, reading, mobility, and orientation, with benefits stable two months later.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that 70% of randomized trials' protocols mentioned industry-academic agreement on publication rights, with industry retaining review or disapproval rights. The findings suggest a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that medical devices approved first in the EU have a higher rate of safety issues, while clinical trial results remain unpublished or unavailable up to five years after approval. Experts call for greater regulatory transparency to enable informed decisions about treatment.
Saint Louis University is conducting a human clinical trial of a Zika virus vaccine to prevent microcephaly and brain damage in babies. The study aims to protect people from the emerging infectious disease, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites or sexual contact.
A ketogenic diet has shown promise in reducing tumor size and progression in ovarian cancer, with a new clinical trial aiming to replicate these results in humans. The trial aims to investigate the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on ovarian cancer patients' quality of life and cancer-related measures.
Researchers found that approximately one-third of patients with low flow AS treated with TAVR continue to suffer persistent low flow AS. These patients have a 60% higher rate of mortality at one year due to poor blood flow, emphasizing the need for improved treatment and monitoring.
A veterinarian is conducting clinical trials to treat cancers in dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The research has the potential to provide important information for human cancer patients, with canine cancers being genetically similar to those in humans.
A new treatment uses chemotherapy followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation to fully halt clinical relapses and development of new brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis. Eight patients showed a sustained improvement in disability 7.5 years after treatment.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed simplified patient-centered consent forms that were equally effective but more engaging than traditional lengthy forms. Video formats also improved comprehension, with participants reporting feeling more engaged in the consenting process.
A clinical trial found that smokers who received pictorial warnings on their cigarette packs were more likely to try to quit during the four-week trial. Researchers also discovered that 5.7% of smokers in the pictorial warning group had quit smoking for at least a week by the end of the trial.
A clinical trial has found that twice-daily radiotherapy is as effective as once-daily radiotherapy in treating small cell lung cancer, with similar survival rates and fewer side effects. The study's results have already changed clinical practice worldwide.
A small clinical trial found injecting modified stem cells into the brains of chronic stroke patients restored motor function, with no side effects attributed to the stem cells themselves. The promising results set the stage for an expanded trial and suggest a new approach to treating brain damage.
The fellowship program will provide postgraduate training in regulatory science to optimize clinical trial design and support approval of novel therapies for Parkinson's disease. A mentored researcher will work with experts from academia, industry, and the FDA to investigate aspects of Parkinson's research design.
A new smartphone app aims to improve patient access to medical innovations through clinical trials. The app, developed by University at Buffalo researcher Peter Elkin, allows patients to quickly search for and enroll in local clinical trials, reducing barriers to life-saving treatments.
A new study suggests that a fasting-like diet can reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis by triggering a death-and-life process for cells, which appears critical for the body's repair. The diet promotes regeneration of myelin, the sheath of proteins and fats that insulate nerve fibers, and improves immune function.
A recent UK lung cancer screening trial found that patients with high-risk disease can be identified and have a 73% chance of surviving five years or more. The trial's results provide crucial evidence for implementing a national screening programme in the UK.
A clinical trial conducted by Michigan Medicine demonstrated the effectiveness of a low FODMAP diet in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study found that over 50% of patients on the low FODMAP diet experienced major improvements in abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and stool urgency compared to the control group.
A new trial aims to assess the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), with potential to replace some antibiotic treatments. The study's findings could help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes for women affected by UTIs.