Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. The hypothesis of an infectious burden as trigger or initiator of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis has been extensively discussed in the past years. One part of this discussion is focused on the infectious agents responsible for periodontitis. Several studies have found an association of periodontitis and/or bacteria related to this disease and atherosclerosis. However, a study focussing on the prognostic relevance of these factors is missing. The hypothesis of this study is that periodontitis is a prognostic relevant risk factor for patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease. Furthermore, the infectious pathogen burden by PCR-detection of periodontal pathogens will be evaluated as a prognostic factor. 960 consecutive patients with angiographically proven coronary heart disease will be included in this study. After inclusion of patients an extensive periodontal examination including PCR-sampling for 11 bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivitis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and others) will be performed. After 12 months patient will be follow up for any major adverse events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke). If this study will find a relation of periodontitis or its microbiological agents to cardiovascular outcome of patients with coronary heart disease, further studies are necessary to investigate potential therapeutic consequences for patients with CHD and periodontitis.

Official Title
-----------------
Periodontitis and Its Microbiological Agents as Prognostic Factors in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Conditions
-----------------
Periodontitis, Coronary Heart Disease

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Age >18 years Coronary heart disease as defined by previous or current detection of 50% stenosis of a main coronary artery by coronary angiography or previous or current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or previous or current coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) Exclusion Criteria: Inability to give written informed consent Periodontal treatment and/or antibiotic therapy during the last 6 months Pregnancy Current alcohol or drug abuse, or psychological reasons that make study participation impractical Drugs which are potential causal for gingival hyperplasia (Hydantoin, Nifedipine, Cyclosporin A, and other)

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| coronary heart disease<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Combined endpoint: myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, stroke |  | 12 months follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
periodontitis and coronary heart disease