Can a heart drug fix vessel damage in metabolic syndrome?
NCT ID NCT05711719
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether the drug vericiguat can improve the function of small blood vessels in the heart for people with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions like high blood pressure and belly fat). 45 adults took either vericiguat or a placebo for 6 weeks. Researchers used MRI scans to measure changes in blood vessel size during exercise. The goal was to see if the drug could help restore normal vessel function.
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
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
45 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jun 2023
- Finished
-
Nov 2025
- 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
-
35 to 85 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: * Age range 35-85 years * Presence of the metabolic syndrome defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) definition, with at least three of the following five criteria: * waist circumference \> 40 inches (men) or \>35 inches (women) * blood pressure \>130/80 mmHg * fasting triglyceride (TG) level \>150 mg/dL * fasting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level \<40mg/dL in men or \<50mg/dL in women * Fasting blood glucose \>100 mg/dL, or hemoglobin A1c greater or equal to 5.7% * Either one of the following: * Men ≤ 40 or women ≤ 50 years of age with no history or symptoms of ischemic heart disease, or * Men \>40 or women \>50 years of age with either one of the following * a coronary angiography within the past 24 months showing no significant coronary artery disease in a t least one major vessel, defined as \>50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery and/or \>70% stenosis of another major coronary vessel, or * a coronary artery calcium score obtained within the prior 24 months or if no prior calcium scan, one performed as a research study following consent with a Agatston score \<10 in at least one major coronary vessel. * IHE-induced %-change in coronary flow ≤13% Exclusion Criteria: * Systolic blood pressure \<110 mm Hg * Current or anticipated use of long-acting nitrates, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators, or phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors * Hematocrit \<30% * Unable to understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of participation so as to provide informed consent * Women who are pregnant. * Women with reproductive capacity not using an acceptable form of contraception * History of claustrophobia * Inability to lie flat and still for 45 minutes * Presence of non-magnetic resonance (MR)-compatible objects or devices, such as intra-orbital debris, intra-auricular implants, intra-cranial clips, an implanted defibrillator or a pacemaker * History as a machinist, welder, metal worker or a similar activity that poses the risk of metal exposure to the eyes
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Coronary microvascular dysfunction 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
-
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Which exercise dose best helps kids with metabolic syndrome?
- Can a weekly weight drug quiet gout attacks?
- Can a Once-Daily form of tacrolimus spare liver transplant patients from side effects?
- Can a Plant-Based diet restore blood flow in the Heart's small vessels?
- Ketogenic diet vs mediterranean diet: which better reshapes metabolism?
- Can tailoring bypass length improve weight loss surgery results?