Clinical Research
The Clinical Pharmacology Unit has a strong record in clinical research. Our interests are mainly in the field of hypertension and cardiovascular medicine. The clinical trials are run from Level 3 of the Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation (ACCI) from the Clinical Investigation Ward and the Vascular Research Clinics. We run large-scale clinical trials looking at drug therapy in hypertension as well as longitudinal collaborative studies investigating novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Past examples of hypertension trials include the CHAOS studies, INSIGHT and ACCELERATE studies. We are increasingly using imaging modalities such as PET-CT and MRI to understand and characterise cardiovascular conditions such as vascular inflammation, adrenal function and arterial stiffness. We use a number of non-invasive techniques to look at vascular and endothelial function. Some information about PIs interested in clinical research is in the table below. More information about our interests in clinical research may also be found under individual PI pages. Also listed below is a brief summary of current clinical trials / studies within the Clinical Pharmacology Unit. We are also closely associated with the new Cambridge University Health Partners' Clinical Trials Unit, with one of our PIs being its Director.
Details
| Large scale trials in hypertension | |
| Clinical trials / studies to investigate the role of novel therapeutic agents on vascular function | |
Factors affecting arterial stiffness over time. |
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| Director of the new Cambridge University Health Partners' Clinical Trials Unit. Research interests in physiology and pharmacology of the cardiovascular system, in particular the large arteries. |
Current CPU Clinical Research Studies / Trials
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| ACCT | The Anglo-Cardiff Collaborative Trial (ACCT) is a series of longitudinal trials investigating arterial stiffness.
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| BALANCE | Is blood pressure variability linked to rates of cardiovascular events in haemodialysis patients? An analysis of data collected as part of routine care. |
| Calcification | Is isolated systolic hypertension and/or low bone mineral denisty associated with an increase in aortic calcification? |
| CANNVAS | Comparing the effects of a nitrovasodilator and a non nitrovasodilator (2 types of BP lowering substance) on small, medium and large blood vessels. |
| ENIGMA | Does cardiac output and arterial stiffness in young adults with normal blood pressure predict future susceptibility to hypertension in later life? |
| Endothelial Dysfunction in Renal Transplantation | Does receiving a kidney transplant stimulate the immune system which then contributes to endothelial dysfunction? |
| ERICA | Investigating the role of inflammation in the development of complications of lung disease outside of the lung (recruiting patients with COPD). |
| EVOLUTION | |
| GSNO | Does S-nitrosoglutathione restore endothelial function in women with early onset pre-eclampsia? |
| HYPAZ | An open-label investigation into hypertension induced by pazopanib therapy. |
| HYPE | Does early antihypertensive therapy in young borderline hypertensive patients modify their future risk of long term hypertension? |
| IMPOST | Is it feasible to conduct a study investigating the relationship between ovulation-implantation interval,CVD parameters and adverse pregnancy outcomes? |
| KARMA | What is the effect of kidney donation on bone-mineral metabolism and arterial stiffness? |
| PATHWAY | PATHWAY comprises three clinical trials of licensed medicines which aim to address some important areas of uncertainty in the current management of hypertension.
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| Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and aortic stiffness | Does BH4 treatment improve the function of, and reduce the stiffness of, blood vessels in people with rheumatoid arthritis? |
| VARSITY | How does salt loading affect levels of VEGF-C and salt in the skin? |