Heart artery showdown: which technique wins?
NCT ID NCT06878729
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two methods for opening completely blocked heart arteries: antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) versus a retrograde approach. Researchers will measure procedure time, success rates, complications, and even doctor stress levels. 74 participants with difficult blockages will be randomly assigned to one technique.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors choose the best technique for opening blocked heart arteries, improving success and reducing complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (74 people) comparing two established procedures, so it may not lead to major changes in practice. Results may not apply to all patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 74 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2025
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * clinical indication for CTO PCI as determined by the local heart team (presence of angina or equivalent symptoms and/or documented ischemia or viability) * at least difficult native CTO lesion with J-CTO difficulty score ≥2 points on invasive angiography * angiographic suitability for both ADR and the retrograde strategy as assessed by 2 independent hybrid CTO PCI operators * informed consent for participation in the study Exclusion Criteria: * \<18 years of age * acute myocardial infarction * cardiogenic shock * severe valvular disease * estimated life expectancy \<1 year * contraindication to PCI * contrast allergy * positive pregnancy test or breast-feeding * native CTO lesion with easy or intermediate difficulty score on invasive angiography (J-CTO score \<2 points) * lack of angiographic equipoise between the ADR and the retrograde strategy as assessed by 2 independent hybrid CTO PCI operators
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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1st Military Clinical Hospital
RECRUITINGLublin, Poland
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Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration
RECRUITINGLublin, Poland
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National Institute of Cardiology
RECRUITINGWarsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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