Acute coronary syndrome includes heart attacks and unstable angina — conditions where blood flow to the heart muscle is suddenly reduced or blocked. Treatment has advanced dramatically over the past two decades, with faster diagnosis, better stents, stronger blood thinners, and new drugs that lower cholesterol and inflammation to prevent future events.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing new anti-inflammatory drugs following the success of canakinumab and colchicine, PCSK9 inhibitors and RNA-based cholesterol drugs for secondary prevention, novel antiplatelet agents with lower bleeding risk, and gene therapies targeting lipoprotein(a). Studies also focus on imaging techniques to identify vulnerable plaques before they rupture and on optimizing timing of procedures after heart attack.
Anti-inflammatory therapies
Trials showed that targeting inflammation with drugs like canakinumab and colchicine reduces repeat events after heart attack. Researchers are now testing other inflammation blockers including IL-6 inhibitors.
RNA therapies for cholesterol
Injectable drugs using RNA technology can lower LDL cholesterol or lipoprotein(a) for months with a single dose. These may help people who can't tolerate statins or who need additional cholesterol lowering.
Bleeding-risk reduction
New antiplatelet drugs and shorter durations of dual therapy aim to prevent clots while reducing serious bleeding. Studies test whether personalized treatment based on genetic testing improves outcomes.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on time since the acute event, type of event (STEMI, NSTEMI, or unstable angina), kidney function, bleeding risk, and current medications.
What types of trials are currently open
- Secondary prevention trials — Testing drugs to prevent a second heart attack in people who've already had one, including newer cholesterol-lowering drugs and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Antiplatelet trials — Comparing blood thinner regimens to find the best balance between preventing clots and avoiding bleeding complications.
- Stent and procedure trials — Testing new stent designs, imaging-guided procedures, and optimal timing for angioplasty after heart attack.
- Early diagnosis studies — Testing blood tests and imaging methods to identify people at high risk before a heart attack happens.
- Cardiac rehabilitation trials — Studies of exercise programs, diet interventions, and behavioral support to improve recovery and prevent future events.
Recently added Acute Coronary Syndrome trials
CAPER-EVO: a Randomized Serial PCCT Trial of Early Evolocumab After ACS
The CAPER-EVO trial is a single-center, randomized, open-label study with blinded endpoint assessment comparing early evolocumab plus standard lipid-lowering therapy versus standard-of-care lipid-lowering therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome after successful percutaneous coronary intervention. The study will use serial photon-counting coronary computed tomography angiography at baseline and 52 weeks to assess changes in non-culprit coronary plaque burden and stenosis severity. Secondary outcomes include changes in high-risk plaque features, lipid and inflammatory biomarkers, cardiovascular events, and safety outcomes. The trial aims to determine whether early intensive LDL-C lowering with evolocumab can reduce coronary plaque progression and support PCCT-CCTA as a noninvasive tool for monitoring atherosclerotic plaque dynamics.
Donate blood samples to study biomarkers in heart and lung disease
The goal of this observational study is to analyze the relationship between various biomarkers (GDF-15, MR proADM, and Presepsin) in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) who also have Pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and have received Influenza vaccinations. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is there a significant correlation between the levels of these specific biomarkers and the clinical outcomes or inflammatory status of these patients? * How does Influenza vaccinations relate to the levels of these biomarkers in the context of ACS with comorbid respiratory conditions? Researchers will compare the levels of these biomarkers across the participant group to see if they can serve as indicators of the patients' health status or the impact of the vaccinations. Participants will: \- Undergo clinical assessment for Acute Coronary Syndrome, Pneumonia, and COPD. Provide medical history regarding Influenza vaccination status. Provide blood samples for the measurement of GDF-15, MR proADM, and Presepsin levels.
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