Can a common blood thinner stop silent heart attacks?

NCT ID NCT02110303

Completed Disease control Sponsor: University of Edinburgh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether a blood thinner called ticagrelor can lower heart attack risk in people with high-risk fatty plaques in their heart arteries. Researchers used a special PET scan to find these plaques in 220 patients with coronary artery disease. Participants took either ticagrelor or a placebo for 12 months to see if the drug reduced markers of heart injury.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ticagrelor (blood thinner)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that ticagrelor reduces heart attack risk in people with silent plaque ruptures, leading to better prevention strategies.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 2/3 trial with only 220 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Ticagrelor also increases bleeding risk, which could outweigh benefits.

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.

coronary artery disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Edinburgh Heart Centre

Edinburgh, Lothian, EH16 4SA, United Kingdom

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