Heart attack mystery: open arteries, hidden damage?
NCT ID NCT02270359
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at 15 people who had a heart attack but whose arteries were not blocked. Researchers use two types of imaging—one inside the artery and one MRI of the heart—to find hidden plaque or damage that might explain the attack. The goal is to better understand these puzzling cases, not to test a new treatment.
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 study could help doctors better understand and diagnose heart attacks in people whose arteries appear open, potentially leading to improved treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage observational study with only 15 participants. It is not testing a treatment, so it cannot directly lead to a cure or therapy.
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
-
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
-
15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Apr 2014
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
21 to 99 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Acute ischemic symptoms compatible with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (chest pain or anginal equivalent symptoms at rest or new onset exertional anginal equivalent symptoms) * Objective evidence of myocardial infarction (either or both of the following): Elevation of troponin to above the laboratory upper limit of normal (ULN) or ST segment elevation of ≥1mm on 2 contiguous ECG leads * Willing to provide informed consent and comply with all aspects of the protocol * Age ≥ 21 years Exclusion Criteria: * Stenosis ≥50% of any major epicardial vessel on invasive angiography, as determined by the angiographer at the time of clinically ordered cardiac cath. * History of known obstructive CAD at angiography, including history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) * Recent use of vasospastic agents, such as cocaine, triptans, ergot alkaloids (≤1 month) * Alternate explanation for troponin elevation, such as hypertensive urgency, acute exacerbation of heart failure, chronic elevation due to kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, cardiac trauma * Coronary dissection apparent on angiography * Excessive coronary tortuosity which, in the opinion of the angiographer, increases the risks of OCT * eGFR\<30 or contraindication to additional contrast needed for OCT in the opinion of the angiographer or treating physician * Contraindication to MRI (including but not limited to MRI-incompatible metal implants or foreign bodies) * Pregnancy * Thrombolytic therapy for STEMI (qualifying event)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Myocardial infarction are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
NYU Langone Medical Center
New York, New York, 10016, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- A blood test at 50 could flag your risk of five diseases. can an app stop them?
- Pharmacist and coach team takes aim at blood pressure after stroke
- Broken heart syndrome: is it as deadly as a heart attack?
- Fat graft may mend heart scars after a heart attack
- A simple breath test after a heart attack could prevent dangerous bleeding
- A simple ultrasound test may sharpen heart attack risk predictions