Clinical Research Directory

A Polypill for Acute Coronary Syndrome

The current study aims to investigate whether combining the standard medications prescribed after acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, and statins-into a single polypill can improve outcomes following an ACS event. Although these therapies are effective, gaps in adherence and uptake significantly contribute to risk or adverse events in the post-ACS period. This study is designed as a pragmatic, multi-center, randomized trial to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a polypill-based strategy for treatment of ACS.

Healthy Heart Habits-2

Sixty adults who have experienced acute coronary syndrome within the past 2-12 months from three states (Rhode Island, North Carolina, Minnesota) will be randomized to either (1) a coaching program for depressed mood and health behavior change (Behavioral Activation for Health and Depression; BA-HD), or (2) Enhanced Usual Care. This study will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures and BA-HD, and establish protocol and measurement harmonization across three sites in preparation for a future multi-site efficacy trial.

Effectiveness of a Resilience-Based Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

To handle daily life challenges, one needs to be psychologically resilient. It plays a crucial role in disease development, prognosis, as well as social, occupational, and community participation. Cardiovascular diseases cause physical and psychological stress, which can be linked to individual resilience and the development of such diseases. Stress can trigger TakoTsubo cardiomyopathy and acute coronary events. Individuals who have experienced TakoTsubo cardiomyopathy or an acute coronary event often feel stressed due to emotional or physical triggers. These triggers may include job loss or illness. In medical rehabilitation, therapists consider the individual circumstances of their patients when planning therapy. It may be important to add a special focus on psychological care, including building resilience, which could greatly benefit these individuals. Therefore, the study aims to investigate whether resilience training, as part of an inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, affects the individual resilience of rehabilitants with TakoTsubo cardiomyopathy or those who have experienced an acute coronary event.

Revascularization Strategies in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and Severe Coronary Artery Disease

MILESTONE STUDY is dedicated to problems connected with patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and/or with left main narrowing who present symptoms of acute ischemia. For such kind of patients according to current ACC/AHA guidelines CABG (surgical revascularization) is recommended as a treatment method. In comparison with CABG, recent studies have shown that PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) is associated with a lower rate of periprocedural adverse events and similar long term event-free survival in patients with left main disease. Our latest non randomized registry and randomized LEMANS study, comparing LMCA (left main coronary artery) stenting with CABG confirmed above findings. LEMANS ACS (acute coronary syndrome) retrospective registry of patients with UPLMCA (unprotected LMCA) disease and non ST elevation ACS showed lower 30 day and trend toward lower one year mortality after PCI when compared with CABG. It should be stressed, that acute ischemia substantially increase the risk of CABG. In fact, there are limited data on the outcome of ULMCA stenting or CABG in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Similarly, all randomized studies comparing PCI vs CABG in multivessel disease included mainly patients with stable angina, small cohort of patients with unstable angina and they excluded patients with non ST elevation Myocardial infarction. In the SYNTAX study -largest PCI vs CABG trial, randomized patients were patients with low perioperative risk (logistic EUROSCORE \<5) and ACS patients routinely excluded. High perioperative risk patients were included only in PCI registry.

Safety and Clinical Performance of the Freesolve Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold System

The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Freesolve in the treatment of subjects with up to two de novo lesions in native coronary arteries compared to a contemporary drug eluting stent (DES).

A Study of Milvexian in Participants After a Recent Acute Coronary Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to evaluate that milvexian is superior to placebo, in addition to standard-of-care, in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (the composite of cardiovascular \[CV\] death, myocardial infarction \[MI\], and ischemic stroke).

Rehabilitation Exercise With MObile Technology and Education After Acute Coronary Syndrome

Despite a clear indication of grade Ia, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is dramatically underutilized after acute coronary syndrome with less than 30% of patients addressed in France. Mobile technology has the potential to overcome barriers to access to cardiac rehabilitation and may be a useful tool for increasing participation. However, studies have to prove this type of care is as effective as traditional center based cardiac rehabilitation.

Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker Versus pROton-Pump Inhibitor for GastroproTECTion Strategies In Patients at High Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding Risk Receiving Antithrombotic Therapy

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel P-CAB (tegoprazan 50 mg once daily) as compared with standard PPI (rabeprazole 20 mg once daily) for protection of GI events in patients with known cardiac and vascular disease receiving chronic use of antithrombotic drugs (either antiplatelets, OAC, and its combinations) who are at high GI bleeding risk. The primary hypothesis is that P-CAB (experimental arm) would non-inferior to PPI (standard arm) with respect to the rate of the primary composite end point of GI events at 12 months after randomization.

Diagnostic Performance of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in Prediction of Acute Coronary Syndrome Based on White Blood Cell Properties

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can predict or exclude acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in adults using data generated by routine hematology testing. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Can AI algorithms based on white blood cell (WBC) data predict or exclude ACS in subjects with suspected ACS? * Can erythrocyte (EC) and/or thrombocyte (TC) data, where available, improve or complement WBC-based AI prediction of ACS? * How does the diagnostic performance of the AI algorithms compare with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), and can the combination of AI algorithms and hs-cTn improve diagnostic performance? Participants will undergo clinical assessment and blood testing as part of usual clinical care. Their previously generated clinical information, hematology data, and hs-cTn results will be used to train and test the AI algorithms. Participation in the study does not determine the indication for coronary angiography or treatment, and no additional study-specific treatments are performed.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Early in Hospital Initiation of Inclisiran Treatment in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

The purpose of this trial is to learn about the effects of inclisiran in people with serious heart conditions (acute coronary syndromes), when this treatment is started early after hospital admission. To do this, researchers will test the effects of inclisiran compared to placebo, when given with standard treatment.

Effect of Dalcetrapib on CV Risk in a Genetically Defined Population With a Recent ACS

This is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, phase 3 multicenter study in subjects recently hospitalized for ACS and with the appropriate genetic profile. Subjects will provide informed consent before any study-specific procedures are performed. A separate informed consent will be allowed for an initial pre-screening genetic testing. Subjects meeting the AA genotype will then consent to the full study and confirmatory genetic testing as required. Subject enrollment may begin in the hospital and will continue following release from the hospital or may begin following release from hospital. Screening procedures may be performed at the time of the index ACS event or anytime thereafter, with the condition that randomization must occur within the mandated window (up to12 weeks after the index event). Subjects will be assessed based on their medical history. Those who are likely to qualify will undergo Genotype Assay testing to evaluate genetic determination for the presence of AA genotype.

Safety and Clinical Performance of the Freesolve Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold (RMS) System in Subjects With Coronary Artery Lesions

The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Freesolve resorbable magnesium scaffold (RMS) in the treatment of subjects with up to two de novo lesions in native coronary arteries compared to the Xience coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) system

Dual Antithrombotic Therapy With Dabigatran and Ticagrelor in Patients With ACS and Non-valvular AF Undergoing PCI

More than 25% of patients referred for diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) suffer from non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). In this particular setting, balancing between the prevention of thrombosis and the risk of bleeding remains challenging. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) prevents stroke and systemic embolism, but has not been shown to prevent stent thrombosis (ST). Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) reduces the incidence of recurrent ischemic events and ST, but is less effective in reducing the incidence of cardioembolic stroke associated with AF. A common guideline-supported practice is to combine three drugs (OAC, aspirin and clopidogrel) in a triple therapy, which is associated with high annual risk (up to 25%) of major bleeding. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to maintain the efficacy while improving the safety of treatment in patients with AF and ACS undergoing PCI. This is a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, non-inferiority trial. 1194 patients with non-valvular AF that had undergone successful PCI due to an ACS within the previous 120 hours will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive one of the two treatments: dual therapy with dabigatran (150 mg twice daily or 110 mg twice daily) and ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily for 1 month, followed by 60 mg twice daily up to 12 months), or standard therapy according to current guidelines triple therapy with dabigatran (150 mg b.i.d. or 110 mg b.i.d.) plus clopidogrel (75 mg o.d.) plus aspirin (75 mg o.d.) followed by double therapy depending on the bleeding and ischaemic risk. Study treatment will be continued for 12 months. The primary study end-point is the first major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding event (per ISTH), in a time-to-event analysis. The main secondary end-point is a composite efficacy end-point of thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or systemic embolism), death, or unplanned revascularization (PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting) at 12 months. We expect that dual antithrombotic therapy including reduced dose ticagrelor and dabigatran is at least non-inferior regarding bleeding risk and ischaemic protection, compared to the standard triple therapy in patients with AF and after ACS, treated with PCI.

Predictive Value of Glycemic Parameters Measured With the FSL Pro iQ During ACS

Disorders of glycemic regulation are common in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Abnormal glycaemia is observed in 50% of cases, in 30-40% diabetes, and in 25-35% fasting hyperglycaemia or glucose intolerance. Hyperglycemia is a major prognostic factor in ACS, with admission hyperglycemia having independent prognostic value for both short- and long-term major cardiovascular events (MACE), regardless of the presence of diabetes. Metabolically, several situations can be distinguished: * Hyperglycaemia occurs in known non-diabetic ACS subjects. It can be indicative of (i) Type 2 Diabetes or (ii) stress hyperglycaemia (diagnostic threshold for blood sugar varies according to learned societies, with HbA1c \< 6.5%). * Hyperglycaemia occurs in known diabetic ACS subjects Most studies use admission blood sugar as a predictor. However, it has recently been shown that glycemic variability indexes would be better predictors of MACE. Using continuous glucose measurement for 48 h, it has been shown that significant glycemic variability is a more powerful predictor of MACE at 1 year than admission glycemia The measurement of glycemic variability is mainly possible thanks to the development of CGM (continuous glucose measurement). To our knowledge, no study has been interested in evaluating the predictive value of the various glycemic parameters measured by CGM. Published studies have used continuous glucose measurements for very short periods (24 or 72 hours maximum), which limits these measurements. The freestyle libre Pro iQ (FSLPro iQ) is a professional sensor for continuous, non-invasive interstitial glucose measurement allowing the recording of glycemic parameters for 2 weeks. Our hypothesis is that glycaemic parameters, alone or in combination with each other or with other patient risk factors, measured with the Freestyle libre Pro iQ have a significant prognostic value in terms of cardiovascular clinical events at 12 months in a population of patients with ACS managed as standard and followed up.

Polymer-free Sirolimus Eluting Stent: Real-world Investigation of Safety and Outcomes

POLARIS is a prospective, single-centre, single-arm observational pilot registry evaluating the real-world safety and efficacy of the Focus np (Abluminus np, Concept Medical, Tampa, FL, USA) polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent in consecutive adult patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The primary endpoint is target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months, defined per Academic Research Consortium-2 (ARC-2) criteria as the device-oriented composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated target lesion revascularisation. Patients treated since January 2021 will be retrospectively identified and prospectively consented, with follow-up through 5 years. The registry will provide the first Western clinical evidence on this CE-marked device and serve as a template for a future national Swiss multicentre registry.

Doxycycline Host-directed Therapy to Improve Lung Function and Decrease Tissue Destruction in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global pandemic that despite successful treatment and bacterial eradication can cause chronic ill health, such as pulmonary impairment after tuberculosis (PIAT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent Phase 2b double-blind randomised-controlled clinical trial shows that adjunctive doxycycline therapy is safe, accelerates resolution of inflammation, suppresses tissue damaging enzyme activity and decreases pulmonary cavity volume (1). We aim to determine if adjunctive doxycycline can reduce PIAT and improve cardiovascular outcomes in a fully powered Phase III trial of 8 weeks of adjunctive doxycycline alongside standard pulmonary TB (PTB) treatment. The investigators hypothesize that doxycycline inhibits tissue destruction in patients with PTB and thereby leads to improved lung function after treatment. Specific aims 1. To assess improvement in lung function as measured by forced expiratory volume (FEV1) predicted in PTB patients given doxycycline versus placebo. 2. To investigate whether doxycycline will hasten the resolution of pulmonary cavities measured by CT thorax 3. To investigate whether doxycycline can suppress inflammatory markers including matrix metalloproteinases 4. To investigate whether doxycycline can accelerate time to sputum conversion 5. To evaluate the effect of doxycycline on cardiovascular outcomes such as the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and pulmonary hypertension 6. To investigate whether doxycycline improves TB drug concentrations in sputum and plasma. 7. To assess the safety profile of doxycycline with concurrent standard anti-tuberculous treatment.

Escalated Single Platelet Inhibition for One Month Plus NOAC in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and ACS Undergoing PCI

The selection of the optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is challenging. Until recently, triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) consisting in Aspirin plus Clopidogrel plus OAC was considered the treatment of choice. While efficiently preventing ischaemic events, TAT is associated with an increase in bleeding complications. Therefore, in the past years several randomized controlled trials challenged TAT by comparing a triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) regimen based on Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) to a dual antithrombotic regimen (DAT) based on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and P2Y12-inhibitors, mainly Clopidogrel in patients with AF undergoing PCI. However, approximately 30-40% of patients show low response to Clopidogrel and are not adequately protected against ischaemic events, in particular when presenting with ACS. This is supported by a recent meta-analysis reporting that TAT compared to DAT is associated with lower rates of stent thrombosis within 30 days after PCI. It is therefore reasonable to assume that a more potent platelet inhibition within the first month after PCI might reduce the rate of ischaemic complications observed in AF patients undergoing PCI, when receiving DAT. Moreover, a subsequent de-escalation to a less potent platelet inhibition one month after PCI might prevent an increase in bleeding complications. In EPIDAURUS the investigators will therefore test the hypothesis that DAT using NOAC plus an escalated antiplatelet therapy with a potent P2Y12-inhibitor for one month followed by Clopidogrel reduces ischaemic events without a relevant increase in bleeding complications in patients with AF and ACS undergoing PCI compared to standard DAT with NOAC plus Clopidogrel.

A Genomic Approach for Clopidogrel in Caribbean Hispanics

Clopidogrel is a prescription medicine used to minimize blood clot formation in patients with cardiovascular disease, particularly those undergoing heart catheterization and stroke. A substantial amount of medical evidence has proven that patients with stroke or heart diseases can benefit from this medicine. However, significant variability in such expected benefits has been found among individuals receiving clopidogrel, with some patients not having the benefit of reduced complications and adverse cardiovascular events. Prior studies have demonstrated a significant association between certain variants on patient's genes (e.g., CYP2C19) and poor response to clopidogrel and, therefore, major adverse cardiovascular events. Variation in other genes and other factors such as platelet activation, weight, diabetes mellitus (a medical condition that produces high blood sugar), concomitant use of other drugs, and smoking status have also been proposed to be related to the same adverse outcomes. In this study, the investigators would like to determine a possible association between these genes and the response to the medication among Caribbean Hispanic cardiovascular patients on clopidogrel. In other populations, it is known that patients with certain genetic variants have lower or magnified responses to this medication when compared to those individuals taking the same dose and not carrying the genetic variations. However, a fundamental gap remains in understanding whether the genomic diversity of Caribbean Hispanics accounts for the observed high inter-individual variability of clinical outcomes to preventive dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel.

Drug-Coated Balloon vs. Drug-Eluting Stent for Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Large Coronary Artery Disease

Prospective, randomised, open-label, international multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment compared to drug-eluting stenting (DES) in patients with large coronary artery disease.

MT1002 Phase II Study in ACS Patients With PCI

This is an open-label, sequential-dose escalation/de-escalation trial testing 3 dose levels of MT1002 in patients undergoing PCI due to ACS with NSTEMI. Three doses of MT1002 will be sequentially tested in cohorts of 6 patients each to achieve target ACT.

Acute Coronary Syndrome and Acupressure

This study aims to examine the effect of acupressure on physiological parameters and anxiety levels in individuals diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). H1-1: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on blood pressure. H1-2: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on heart rate. H1-3: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on respiratory rate. H1-4: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on pain levels. H1-5: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on anxiety levels. H1-6: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on cortisol levels. H1-7: Acupressure applied to individuals with ACS has an effect on ECG changes.

Feasibility Study of a Digital Interactive Life-style Platform for Individuals After Rehabilitation

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility and usability of a digital lifestyle platform designed to support patients after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. It will also assess patient engagement and the potential of the platform to support long-term self-management and healthy lifestyle behaviors in an outpatient setting. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the platform feasible and acceptable for patients after rehabilitation? Do patients engage with and regularly use the platform over time? Can personalized digital recommendations support adherence to healthy behaviors and self-management? Researchers will evaluate a telemedicine platform that delivers individualized suggestions, including lifestyle applications, educational content, and advice from healthcare professionals. The content is tailored to patient needs and continuously adapted based on patient feedback. Participants will: Use the digital platform after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation for a defined follow-up period Receive personalized recommendations through the platform Rate the usefulness of recommendations to enable continuous adaptation Attend study visits or remote assessments to evaluate usability, engagement, and outcomes Continue standard outpatient care alongside the intervention

Polypill in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a major contributor to mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs. Effective therapies are widely available; however, adherence is low. This contributes to worse patient outcomes and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The once-daily polypill leverages a population-based strategy that has previously demonstrated efficacy in improving adherence and access to therapy in low-resource settings, making it an innovative approach for improving post-ACS care. This study aims to investigate the utility of a polypill-based strategy for patients with ACS with drug eluting stent (DES) placement. The polypill will consist of a high-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 40 mg daily), aspirin 81 mg daily, and either clopidogrel 75 mg or prasugrel 10 mg daily.

Florbetaben for Imaging of Vascular Amyloid

The Primary Objective is to determine if a new nuclear tracer (named 18F-Florbetaben) used with nuclear imaging (PET imaging) can detect inflamed plaque in patients with recent ACS or stroke/TIA.