Clinical Research Directory

PREcise Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Stent OptimizatION in Treatment of COMPLEX Lesion (PRECISION-COMPLEX)

The aim of the study is to compare post-interventional fractional flow reserve (FFR) value between optical coherence tomography(OCT)-guided and angiography-guided strategy for treatment of complex coronary lesion.

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.

Domain-specific Aerobic Exercise Training in Coronary Artery Disease

Exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is a key part of managing a patient with heart disease. It has been shown that cardiac patients who increase their aerobic ("cardio") fitness by exercise training live longer, have better quality of life, and stay out of hospitals more than patients who do not improve their aerobic fitness. The more a patient improves their aerobic fitness the greater the benefit. But it has been shown that more than half of patients do not improve their aerobic fitness even after participating in cardiac rehab. This may be related to how hard patients are asked to train (their training "intensity"). The way intensity is chosen in current programs is commonly based on a "one-size fits all" method that may not consider that different patients have different abilities. There are more personalized methods to determine training intensity that exist, but these have never been used in cardiac rehab. One method divides intensity into three zones (zone 1 = moderate intensity; zone 2 = heavy intensity; zone 3 = very high intensity) that are based on when an individuals' biological responses to exercise change. The purpose of this study is to see if this approach gives better results in terms of changes in aerobic fitness and if training in the different zones makes a difference. Three groups of patients will be asked to train for 3 months in one of the three intensity zones. Aerobic fitness before and after exercise training will be compared to see which intensity zone results in the largest change.

FFR Versus IVUS With Angiography-Derived FFR for Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

To compare the clinical outcomes of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided strategy versus intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided stent implantation after angiography-derived FFR-based decision-making.

Strategic Comparison Of Ischemia-based Versus Plaque Burden and vulnErability-based Revascularization in High-Risk Coronary Artery Disease Patients

1. Study Purpose This study aims to compare clinical outcomes between two revascularization strategies in patients with high-risk coronary artery disease and 50-90% angiographic stenosis: a plaque burden and vulnerability-based revascularization strategy guided by intravascular imaging versus an ischemia-based revascularization strategy guided by physiologic assessment. 2. Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in conjunction with optimal medical therapy, is one of the main therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes in patients with CAD. To enhance the results of PCI, various diagnostic and adjunctive techniques have been developed-most notably, invasive physiologic assessment and intravascular imaging (IVI). Invasive physiologic indices such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are recognized as the most accurate methods to determine vessel-level myocardial ischemia, and current guidelines recommend PCI based on these physiological measurements. Recently, angiography-derived FFR has also been developed, allowing ischemia assessment without pressure wire measurement, and has been endorsed as a useful tool for guiding PCI decisions. Intravascular imaging, on the other hand, provides detailed anatomical insights into atherosclerotic plaque morphology and plays a critical role in achieving procedural optimization. Current guidelines recommend the use of IVI, particularly in the treatment of complex lesions. While most previous IVI studies have focused on procedural optimization, more recent investigations have begun to explore the use of IVI for PCI decision-making itself. Emerging data suggest that revascularization decisions based on quantitative and qualitative plaque assessment using IVI are non-inferior to those based on invasive physiologic testing. Moreover, IVI enables the identification of vulnerable plaques, and studies indicate that intervening on such lesions may improve outcomes. At present, a physiology-guided decision-making strategy combined with IVI-guided optimization is considered the best evidence-based approach according to guidelines. However, recent data showing the potential advantages of IVI-guided decision-making and IVI-guided optimization-particularly in high-risk, complex patients and in those with vulnerable plaque morphology-suggest that IVI-based strategies may offer greater clinical benefit in such populations. Despite this, a comprehensive strategy that integrates both quantitative (plaque burden) and qualitative (vulnerability) aspects of plaque evaluation via IVI has yet to be clearly established. Therefore, this study seeks to propose IVI-based quantitative and qualitative criteria for high-risk CAD patients and to compare outcomes between a plaque burden and vulnerability-based revascularization strategy and the conventional ischemia-based revascularization strategy. For all patients undergoing PCI, IVI-guided optimization will be performed to ensure the highest possible procedural quality in both groups. 3. Study Procedures Patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected or known CAD will be screened for eligibility. After providing a detailed explanation of the study, written informed consent will be obtained from those deemed appropriate for participation. Following coronary angiography, patients with significant coronary stenosis who meet all inclusion and no exclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. Eligible participants will then be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the plaque burden and vulnerability-based revascularization group or the ischemia-based revascularization group. Stratified randomization will be performed according to participating center and presence or absence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to ensure balance between the groups.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) for the Pre-procedural Planning of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The CT-PLAN PCI trial will evaluate whether CCTA-guided PCI improves procedural efficiency compared with routine PCI (without pre-procedural CCTA-guidance for PCI planning) using procedural time as the primary endpoint. Key secondary outcomes will include contrast volume, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, resource utilization, and periprocedural outcomes including post-PCI physiology, and peri-procedural myocardial injury measured by high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays.

Pivotal Study of the SUpira System in Patients Undergoing High-Risk Percutaneous COronaRy InTervention (HRPCI)

The objective of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Supira System in providing temporary cardiovascular hemodynamic support in patients undergoing HRPCI. Eligible patients will be randomized to undergo HRPCI with either the Supira System (investigational device) or the commercially available Impella systems (comparator device).

The DANish COronary DEcalcification (DANCODE) Trial

1\. Abstract Introduction Coronary artery calcification (CAC) and especially progression in CAC is a strong predictor of acute myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality. A substudy in the recent Danish study, AVADEC, suggested a protective role of supplementation with vitamin K2 and D in the development of CAC. This finding should be interpreted with caution, but the perspective is very interesting. In this study, we will examine the effect of the supplementation on progression of CAC in men and women with severe CAC. We hypothesize that the supplementation will slow down the calcification process. Method and analysis In this multicenter and double-blinded placebo-controlled study, 400 men and women with CAC score ≥ 400 are randomized (1:1) to treatment with vitamin K2 (720 µg/day) and vitamin D (25 µg/day) or placebo treatment (no active treatment) for two years. Exclusion criteria are treatment with vitamin K antagonist or coagulation disorders. To evaluate CAC score, a non-contrast CT-scan is performed at baseline and repeated after 12 and 24 months of follow-up. Primary outcome is difference in CAC score from baseline to follow-up at two years. Intention-to-treat principle is used for all analyses. Ethics and dissemination There are no reported adverse effects associated with the use of vitamin K2. Prior to inclusion, the protocol will be approved by the Regional Scientific Ethical Committee for Southern Denmark and the Data Protection Agency. It will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Positive as well as negative findings will be reported.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography For Optimized Invasive Coronary examInation

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive method for visualization of the coronary arteries. The anatomical information obtained by CCTA, however, is rarely integrated into a subsequent coronary intervention. The CT-FOCI trial aims to evaluate, in a randomized setting, the benefit of implementing the information obtained by CCTA as part of the invasive examination using a CT-guided algorithm (CTGA). Patients (n=120) with symptoms of stable angina pectoris will be randomized 1:1 after CCTA has determined at least 1 stenosis with luminal diameter reduction of minimum 50% in a vessel segment \> 2 mm in diameter. Subsequent, invasive examination and intervention will utilize the information available according to randomization. Primary efficacy endpoints are a reduction in patient radiation exposure, procedure time, procedural utensils, and contrast use. Secondary endpoints is significant stenosis in the non-target vessel, only available in the conventional group.

Intraoperative Targeted Versus Liberal Blood Pressure Management in Patients Undergoing Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether two approaches to anesthesia and blood pressure management can improve care for adults having off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). OPCAB is a type of heart bypass surgery performed without routinely using a heart-lung machine. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does keeping mean arterial pressure (MAP), a measure of average blood pressure, at 65 mm Hg or higher during surgery lower the chance of major complications or death within 30 days after surgery compared with usual clinician-directed blood pressure management? * Does remimazolam provide more stable blood pressure and heart rate than propofol when used to maintain general anesthesia during surgery? The researchers expect that targeted blood pressure management may lower the chance of major postoperative complications. They also expect that remimazolam may provide more stable blood pressure and heart rate than propofol. Researchers plan to enroll 416 adults having elective OPCAB surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Each group will receive one of two blood pressure strategies and one of two medicines for maintaining general anesthesia. Participants will: * Receive either targeted blood pressure management or usual clinician-directed blood pressure management during surgery. * Receive either remimazolam or propofol to maintain general anesthesia after the same standard anesthesia induction. * Have routine monitoring during surgery and assessments during recovery after surgery. * Complete follow-up assessments after surgery, including assessments of complications, recovery, and longer-term health. Some participants will also provide blood samples for a biomarker substudy. The study will also explore whether the effect of the blood pressure strategy differs depending on which anesthetic medicine is used.

A Study of Population and Sex-specific Troponin Cutoffs for Ruling Out Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is defined as a rise and/or fall in cardiac troponins (cTn) with at least one value above the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) in the context of symptoms or clinical evidence of myocardial ischemia. The URL is based on measurements in a healthy reference population. Currently, a sex-uniform manufacturer-provided 99th percentile URL of troponin is utilised at Danish hospitals as a diagnostic cutoff for acute MI for both men and women. Reportedly, healthy men have twofold the troponin level compared to healthy women, suggesting that the use of a uniform URL for troponins may lead to the under-diagnostication of acute MI in women and potentially over-diagnostication in men. The purpose of the DANSPOT study is to evaluate the clinical effect on diagnosis, treatment and outcomes in men and women presenting with acute MI of implementing international guidelines recommendations of sex-specific 99th percentile URLs for troponin into clinical practice. First, to determine the sex-specific 99th percentile URLs of troponins based on a healthy Danish reference population, blood samples from Danish blood donors were analysed using one troponin T assay and four troponin I assays. Second, the DANSPOT study is a nationwide cluster-randomised trial with a "stepped-wedge" design, with participation of all 22 Danish hospital laboratories and associated departments of cardiology. With one-month intervals, each of the 22 centres is randomised to shift from the presently applied uniform 99th percentile URL of troponin to our newly determined population- and sex-specific 99th percentile URL. Each patient is followed up for 12 months after their first troponin measurement during the index admission. The hypothesis of the DANSPOT study is that implementation of population- and sex-specific 99th percentile URLs for troponin will ensure that the right patients receive the right treatment. The investigators expect to detect significantly more women with acute MI, theoretically resulting in a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of women and men with acute MI.

GUIDEX® Versus Launcher™ Guiding Catheter in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) (GUIDEX_FR)

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two guiding catheters in patients with coronary artery disease during a percutaneous coronary intervention between Guidex® Guiding catheter (DEMAX) and Launcher™ coronary guide catheters (Medtronic). The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * Aren't the safety of medical devices inferior to each other? * Aren't the efficacyof medical devices inferior to each other? Participants will be randomized (1:1) and have a percutaneous coronary interventionwith one of the two guiding catheters.

Complementary Investigation of Perfusion and Anatomy Measures of the Heart With MRI and Combined PET/MRI

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the complimentary information of anatomy, perfusion and viability of PET and MR. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: * to compare perfusion and anatomy measurements and perfusion related signals from PET and MR imaging and estimate its prognostic values. * to evaluate potential optimization of routine scanning procedure with regards to completeness and potential added value of quantitative measurements.

Routine Angiography Follow-Up After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in High-Risk Patients

Comparison of clinical outcomes between routine angiography follow-up and routine clinical follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients.

A Phase 2b Clinical Trial of YN001 in Adults With Coronary Atherosclerosis

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenously administered YN001 in patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis, who are receiving background therapy for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors management.

A MAajor RAdiation-based PCI Study in STEMI and NSTEMI

In France and Italy, approximately 240,000 percutaneous coronary angioplasties (PCI) are performed annually, with an increasing number of complex procedures, including those involving the left coronary common trunk, a bifurcation, chronic occlusion, or requiring Rotablator Rotary Atherectomy (ARota). The medical literature lacks sufficient data regarding several key aspects of complex angioplasty. These include the epidemiological characteristics of patients undergoing such procedures, the impact of irradiation delivered and the quantity of iodine injected on these lengthy procedures, their procedural complication rate, and in-hospital mortality.

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Home-Based Rehabilitation Program On Patients Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

1. To assess the effect of high-intensity interval training on peak metabolic equivalents in patients with coronary heart disease after the coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. 2. To assess the effect of a home-based cardiac rehabilitation program on peak metabolic equivalents in patients with coronary heart disease after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. 3. To compare functional outcomes between the different treatment approaches.

Randomization of Single vs Multiple Arterial Grafts

The primary hypothesis of ROMA is that in patients undergoing primary isolated non-emergent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), the use of two or more arterial grafts compared to a single arterial graft is associated with a reduction in the composite outcome of death from any cause, any stroke, post discharge myocardial infarction and/or repeat revascularization. The secondary hypothesis is that in patients undergoing primary isolated non-emergent CABG, the use of two or more arterial grafts compared to a single arterial graft is associated with improved survival. Prospective event-driven unblinded randomized multicenter trial of at least 4,300 subjects enrolled in at least 25 international centers. Patients will be randomized to a single arterial graft (SAG) or multiple arterial grafts (MAG). Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion between the two groups. Permuted block randomization with random blocks stratified by the center and the type of second arterial graft will be used to provide treatment distribution in equal proportion.

Time Restricted Eating and Cardiac Rehabilitation

This study will use a form of intermittent fasting called time-restricted eating (TRE) where individuals consume ad libitum energy intake within a set window of time, commonly 8 hours, which induces a fasting window of 16 hours per day (i.e., 16:8 TRE). TRE could be an effective addition to cardiac rehabilitation as it has demonstrated cardiovascular health benefits and potential for synergy when combined with exercise training. This study will determine if TRE is a feasible and safe nutrition intervention during cardiac rehabilitation and if TRE improves the health benefits of cardiac rehabilitation compared to cardiac rehabilitation alone.

Identification for High Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Based on Quantitative Analysis of Fundus Vessels and Metabolic Molecules

This ambidirectional observational cohort study builds upon and expands an existing coronary artery disease (CAD) cohort based on retinal fundus imaging (ChiCTR2200066429). A comprehensive baseline database will be established, including demographic characteristics, laboratory test results, coronary angiography findings, quantitative retinal vascular features, and multi-omics data.Artificial intelligence methods will be used to quantify retinal vascular characteristics and to develop and validate models for identifying and predicting CAD. In addition, targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays will be developed to measure previously identified CAD-related biomarkers, including metabolites and lipids, in baseline biological samples. Clinical, retinal imaging, and multi-omics data will subsequently be integrated to develop a risk stratification model for identifying individuals at high risk of CAD. Participants will be followed for cardiovascular events to evaluate the predictive performance of the model. The findings may support the development of improved strategies for CAD detection, risk assessment, and clinical management. No treatment or clinical intervention is assigned by the study protocol, and all medical decisions are made as part of routine clinical care.

Progress Bifurcation Global Registry

Coronary bifurcation lesions are lesions (or blockages) that occur at or near the intersection of a major coronary artery and one of the arteries' side branches. Numerous techniques and devices have been developed to treat coronary bifurcations; however, these types of lesions remain some of the most challenging, both in terms of procedural success and outcome. This study is designed as an observational, multi-center registry that will collect information on treatment strategies and outcomes of consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in coronary bifurcations among various participating centers, in order to determine the frequency of bifurcation PCI, the procedural strategies utilized, and the procedural outcomes.

Iso-Osmolar vs. Low-Osmolar Contrast Agents for Optical Coherence Tomography

The proposed study aims to compare (a) volume contrast administered for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging, (b) length of clear OCT images, and (c) electrocardiographic changes immediately after contrast injection between iso-osmolar and low-osmolar contrast agents. The proposed study is a prospective, single-centered, randomized controlled, study that will compare an iso-osmolar vs. a low-osmolar contrast agent in patients undergoing clinically indicated coronary OCT imaging. Each patient will be randomized to OCT acquisition.

Progress Complication

Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed in patients with ischemic heart disease. The safety of PCI has improved with new devices and strategies, but complications still occur, especially during complex procedures. The objectives of this multi-center observational registry are to examine frequency of complications occuring during cardiac catheterization and PCI, examine procedural strategies utilized for complication management, and evaluate the clinical outcomes (both immediate and during follow-up.)

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 or high-risk PCI. 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.