Stents or pills for 80+ heart patients? new study seeks answers
NCT ID NCT07442526
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two treatments for people aged 80 and older who have a completely blocked heart artery: a procedure to open the blockage with a stent (PCI) versus taking medications alone. Researchers want to see which approach leads to fewer major heart problems and a better quality of life. The study enrolled 200 participants and has already finished recruiting, with results expected soon.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (stenting) versus optimal medical therapy (medications)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that stenting a completely blocked heart artery is a better option than medication alone for very elderly patients, improving their symptoms and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, non-randomized study, so results may not apply to all older adults. The stenting procedure carries higher upfront risks, and the long-term benefits are not yet proven.
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.
- Participants
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About 200 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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Dec 2026
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.
Who is studied
Octogenarian patients (age ≥80 years) with a documented CTO will be potential enrolled.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Age ≥ 80 years. * CTO in at least one major coronary artery. * Complete revascularization or non-critical stenosis in the non-CTO vessels. * Life expectancy \> 1-year Exclusion Criteria: * Severe non-cardiac comorbidities with a life expectancy \< 1 year. * CTOs in the native vessel and patency grafts in CABG patients * CTOs in the minor vessel (Non dominant RCA, small diagonal or obtuse marginal branch) * Lack of any anatomical or clinical details of the patient
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Rivoli Hospital
Rivoli, 10098, Italy
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Magnetic heart signals could help ER doctors spot hidden heart risk
- Could a Drug-Coated balloon beat stents for a common heart attack cause?
- Could cold climates shape heart healing after stents?
- Can big data unlock the secrets of opening blocked heart arteries?
- Can a Community-Based rehab program boost heart recovery after a first attack?
- Can we predict which heart blockages will worsen after stenting?