Vascular Calcification

Breast arterial calcification (BAC) is a common incidental finding on screening mammograms and has been associated with cardiovascular disease in women. However, every study in this field has been imaging-based. The accuracy of mammography for detecting breast arterial calcification has only ever been measured against another radiologist reading the same mammogram, never against the tissue itself. As a result, it is not known how much calcification mammography misses, nor whether what it shows represents medial (Monckeberg-type) calcification or true atherosclerosis. This prospective observational study compares mammographic BAC with the histopathology of breast arteries obtained from mastectomy specimens. Women aged 40 years and older undergoing upfront mastectomy, without neoadjuvant therapy, for invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ will be enrolled consecutively. Additional tissue blocks will be taken from tumour-free areas of the specimen and examined with von Kossa and elastic van Gieson stains to determine whether arterial calcification is present and whether it lies in the media or the intima. These findings will be compared with the preoperative mammogram, which is read independently and blind to the pathology result. As a secondary and exploratory objective, coronary artery calcification will be scored from staging computed tomography images already acquired for cancer staging. No additional tests, imaging, radiation exposure or blood sampling will be performed for the purposes of this study, and the surgical procedure will not be altered in any way.

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out if using a citrate-based dialysate with added magnesium during hemodialysis can help slow down or prevent the hardening of blood vessels (vascular calcification) in adults on long-term dialysis. The main questions the study will try to answer are: Does citrate-based dialysate with magnesium improve the blood's ability to prevent calcium buildup (measured by a test called T50) compared to acetate-based dialysate? Does it modify magnesium, calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the blood? Does it lower the chances of heart problems or death? Researchers will compare two groups: one will receive acetate-based dialysate, and the other will receive citrate-based dialysate with magnesium. Participants will: Receive one of the two types of dialysate during their regular hemodialysis sessions for 12 months Have regular blood tests Be monitored for any heart problems and for overall health during the study

Although it is now established that calcification process result from the joint and coordinated action of different cell types, many areas of shadow remain regarding the spatio-temporal implementation of these events. Highlighting these processes requires additional research to consider new approaches to clinical management of patients with such conditions. It is in this context that the investigators need to use residual human tissue fragments resulting from surgery which are not intended to be used for clinical-biological management of patients. The use of these pseudonymised human tissues will allow the investigators to conduct in vitro cell culture experiences.

Study Design Prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial Hypothesis In patients with severely calcified coronary lesions undergoing rotational atherectomy (Rota), post-rotational lesion optimization using intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is non-inferior to super high-pressure balloon (SHPB) in terms of final minimal lumen diameter (MLD), with potential differences in acute lumen gain, stent expansion, and periprocedural complications. Inclusion Criteria * Age ≥ 18 years * De novo coronary lesions with severe calcification confirmed by angiography (moderate-to-severe calcification) and IVUS (calcification grade ≥2 by Mintz classification, or IVUS cannot pass) * Target vessel reference diameter 2.5-4.0 mm * Lesion length ≤ 30 mm suitable for rotational atherectomy * Clinical evidence of ischemia (stable or unstable angina, or functional ischemia testing) * Planned rotational atherectomy with residual calcification grade ≥2 post-Rota (burr ≤1.5 mm), or inadequate expansion with 2.5 mm non-compliant balloon at nominal pressure * Written informed consent provided Exclusion Criteria * Acute myocardial infarction within 7 days * Presence of thrombus, chronic total occlusion (CTO), or in-stent restenosis in target vessel * Lesion located in coronary artery bypass graft * Severe heart failure (LVEF \< 30%) * Previous stenting or rotational atherectomy in same target vessel * Known contrast allergy, active bleeding, severe comorbidity with life expectancy \< 12 months * Pregnancy or lactation * Participation in other interventional clinical trials Randomization After initial rotational atherectomy (burr ≤1.5 mm), eligible patients meeting imaging-defined "need for further lesion optimization" criteria will be randomized 1:1 to: Rota + IVL group: Intravascular lithotripsy using pulsed ultrasonic energy (up to 80 pulses, 8 cycles) followed by stent implantation Rota + SHPB group: Super high-pressure balloon (≥30 atm) expansion followed by stent implantation Stratification by: Study center, Reference vessel diameter (2.5-3.0 mm vs. \>3.0-4.0 mm) Primary Endpoint Post-procedural minimal lumen diameter (MLD) measured by OCT/IVUS immediately after stent implantation and post-dilation Secondary Endpoints Procedural efficacy: Acute lumen gain, final stent expansion rate, minimal stent area, stent apposition Procedural safety: Periprocedural complications including coronary perforation, dissection, no-reflow/slow flow, acute stent thrombosis Clinical outcomes: MACE (composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization) at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months Other outcomes: Major bleeding (BARC ≥2), acute kidney injury (KDIGO criteria), procedure duration, contrast volume, radiation exposure Sample Size Total: 162 patients (81 per group) In-hospital monitoring until discharge Clinical follow-up at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months Imaging follow-up (OCT/IVUS) selectively at designated centers as per protocol or clinical indication Study Centers Three tertiary hospitals with extensive experience in complex coronary interventions and calcified lesion management: * Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University (coordinating center) * China-Japan Friendship Hospital * Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Study Duration January 2026 to December 2028 (3 years)

A Multicenter, randomized trial comparing the efficacy and safety of intensive lipid-lowering therapy using a statin-ezetimibe combination without aspirin versus statin monotherapy with aspirin in asymptomatic patients with coronary artery calcification

This study is research to find out if the drug pentoxifylline can help prevent or lessen the problem of blood vessel hardening (vascular calcification) in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). People with CKD are at higher risk for heart problems and blood vessel hardening. Vascular calcification happens when calcium builds up in the blood vessels, making them stiff. Pentoxifylline is a drug that might have helpful effects that could reduce this hardening. In this study, some CKD patients will receive pentoxifylline in addition to their usual medications, while others will only receive their usual medications. The researchers will then compare the amount of vascular calcification in both groups over 6 months to see if pentoxifylline makes a difference. The goal is to learn if pentoxifylline could be a new way to protect the blood vessels of people with chronic kidney disease.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM), which can significantly increase all-cause mortality and the incidence of serious cardiovascular events, and increase the burden of the national economy. The epidemiological characteristics and the clinical progress of CAC are still not clear. Moreover, the pathogenesis of CAC has not yet been fully elucidated, and lack of specific diagnostic indicators. Arterial calcification is an active, reversible, and multifactorial biological process like bone formation. It is generally believed that early detection of calcification lesions and active targeted treatment may be the key to prevention and treatment of vascular calcification. In addition, statins are commonly used in patients with dyslipidemia and can stabilize CAC plaque. However, the timing, dosage and effect of statins are controversial. Moreover, our previous study found that the expression of miR-32 is significantly elevated in patients with CAC, and can promoting vascular calcification. Herein, this study is to conduct a prospective cohort study on T2DM patients with CAC in Hunan province through a multidisciplinary and multi-center cooperation model, the main research objectives include the following three parts: ① To identify the prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of CAC in T2DM patients in Hunan province, and to build a risk assessment model. ② To observe the effects of statins on the occurrence and development of CAC in patients with T2DM, and to provide clinical data for the improvement of medication guidelines; ③To observe the dynamic changes of serum miR-32 in the progression of CAC in patients with T2DM, and to explore its possibility as a serological diagnosis or prognostic bio-maker of CAC. The completion of this research project is expected to bring a new breakthrough in the field of early diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and intervention treatment of patients with T2DM combined with CAC, and provide an important reference for the formulation of cardiovascular disease prevention and control strategy.