Scan spots silent heart threat, drug trial aims to stop it

This study tested if a blood-thinning medication (ticagrelor) could reduce markers of future heart attack risk in people with stable coronary artery disease. Researchers used a special PET scan to identify patients who had unstable, 'high-risk' fatty plaques in their heart arteries but no recent symptoms. About 220 participants were randomly assigned to take either the drug or a placebo for one year, in addition to their usual aspirin, to see if it lowered their risk.