Could a Clot-Busting drug boost heart attack recovery?

NCT ID NCT03335839

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Population Health Research Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether giving a low dose of the clot-busting drug tPA directly into the heart arteries, during standard angioplasty, improves blood flow and reduces complications in people having a major heart attack. 210 patients were enrolled. The goal was to see if this approach could reduce heart damage and improve outcomes.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could improve blood flow and reduce heart damage during a heart attack, potentially lowering the risk of death or heart failure.
What could go wrong: This is a completed Phase 3 trial with 210 participants, so results are limited. Adding tPA may increase bleeding risk, and the benefit may not be large enough to change standard care.

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.

myocardial infarction ST-elevation myocardial infarction

As listed by the trial registrant

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

MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hamilton General Hospital

Hamilton, Ontario, L8L2X2, Canada
University of Alberta - Mazankowski Alberta Heart Insitute

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
University of Calgary - Foothills Medical Centre

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada

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