Stents or pills for 80+ heart patients? new study seeks answers
NCT ID NCT07442526
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two treatments for people aged 80 and older who have a completely blocked heart artery: a procedure to open the blockage with a stent (PCI) versus taking medications alone. Researchers want to see which approach leads to fewer major heart problems and a better quality of life. The study enrolled 200 participants and has already finished recruiting, with results expected soon.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (stenting) versus optimal medical therapy (medications)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that stenting a completely blocked heart artery is a better option than medication alone for very elderly patients, improving their symptoms and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, non-randomized study, so results may not apply to all older adults. The stenting procedure carries higher upfront risks, and the long-term benefits are not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Rivoli Hospital
Rivoli, 10098, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can we predict which heart blockages will worsen after stenting?
- Can a drop of blood predict disease years before it strikes?
- Can a new catheter make heart stenting safer and more effective?
- Smartphone apps and wearables could transform heart recovery