Could a common cough medicine protect the heart during a heart attack?

NCT ID NCT06850831

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

Summary

This study tested whether giving N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a drug often used for coughs, directly into the heart arteries during emergency angioplasty can reduce damage caused by restoring blood flow. Researchers measured markers of stress, inflammation, and cell death in 70 heart attack patients. The goal is to see if this approach can limit heart muscle injury and improve recovery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to limit heart muscle damage during emergency angioplasty after a heart attack.

What could go wrong

This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 70 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The benefit of NAC given this way is unproven, and the study focuses on lab markers, not long-term outcomes.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

ischemia reperfusion injury Necrosis ST-elevation myocardial infarction Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Dr. Moewardi General Hospital

    Surakarta, Central of Java, 57126, Indonesia