Coronary atherosclerosis

This trial tests a new device that uses sound waves to break up calcium deposits in the heart's arteries, which can harden and narrow them. The study includes adults with coronary artery calcification who are eligible for a procedure to open blocked arteries. The goal is to see i…

This trial tests two techniques for treating severely calcified coronary arteries before placing a stent. One uses a super high-pressure balloon to crack the calcium; the other uses intravascular lithotripsy, which sends shockwaves through the artery wall. The study includes 80 a…

This study tested whether ticagrelor, a newer antiplatelet drug, reduces heart muscle damage during a procedure called rotational atherectomy, which clears hardened arteries. 180 stable heart patients received either ticagrelor or standard clopidogrel before and after the procedu…

This study looked at 556 people with coronary artery disease to confirm that the Orsiro drug-eluting stent is safe and effective in everyday use. The stent releases sirolimus to prevent artery re-narrowing. Researchers tracked how many patients had heart-related death, heart atta…

This study tested two methods to prepare hardened (calcified) heart arteries before placing a stent: a cutting balloon and a shockwave device. About 413 adults with moderate to severe artery hardening took part. The goal was to see which method helps the stent fit better and work…

This study tested whether a special balloon that uses sound waves to break up calcium (balloon lithoplasty) works better than standard balloons for preparing severely calcified coronary arteries before placing a stent. The trial involved 200 adults with stable heart disease or no…

This study tested a new X-ray-based imaging tool called 3DStent against the standard IVUS method to measure calcium buildup in heart arteries. Thirty adults with coronary lesions were enrolled. The goal was to see if 3DStent can accurately identify and measure calcium deposits, w…

This study looked at 233 people with heart or blood vessel disease who had calcium buildup in their heart arteries found by chance on a chest CT scan. Researchers wanted to see if telling both the patient and their doctor about this finding would encourage them to start cholester…

This study looked at whether notifying patients and their doctors about calcium found in the heart arteries on a routine chest CT scan would lead to more people starting statin medications. Researchers enrolled 202 adults who had this incidental finding and randomly assigned them…

This study examined how immune cells change in people with coronary atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Researchers compared blood and heart tissue samples from 61 patients undergoing heart surgery—some with coronary artery disease and some without. The goal was to see i…

This study used cardiac CT scans to compare the amount of high-risk plaque in the coronary arteries of 480 people with and without a family history of coronary artery disease. All participants had no prior heart problems. The goal was to see if those with a family history have mo…