Clinical Research Directory

Changes in Plaque Characteristics After Short-term Statin Therapy as Assessed With Coronary CT

INTENSE Trial is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center study with two arms (40 mg intensified statin therapy vs matching placebo for rosuvastatin) among statin-naive patients referred to coronary CT angiography due to stable chest pain, followed for 24 months by using a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT). INTENSE Trial aims 1) to assess the effect of short-term intensified statin therapy on coronary anatomy and physiology using PCD-CT and 2) to determine the impact of short-term, intensified statin therapy on coronary plaque morphology and hemodynamics to identify statin responder and non-responder patients in addition to testing the hypothesis of "plaque memory" after the 24-month follow-up period.

Coronary Computed Tomography Versus Invasive Angiography for Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a widely accepted initial diagnostic test for individuals suspected of having chronic coronary syndromes. However, there is limited evidence supporting its use in the acute setting. So far, no large-scale randomized trial has examined the performance of CCTA as an alternative to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in individuals with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEACS). If CCTA were to replace ICA as a routine procedure for individuals with NSTEACS, it could reduce the risk of complications related to ICA, improve patient comfort, expedite decision-making, and reduce healthcare expenses and interhospital transfers.