Coronary artery disease — blocked arteries feeding the heart — affects over 18 million Americans. Standard care includes statins, blood pressure drugs, aspirin, and procedures like stents or bypass surgery. Many people live decades managing the condition, but it remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing PCSK9 inhibitors and inclisiran for stubborn cholesterol, anti-inflammatory drugs like colchicine and canakinumab that target plaque differently than statins, gene therapies to lower inherited cholesterol disorders, and new imaging to catch disease earlier. Researchers are also studying whether diabetes drugs like semaglutide protect the heart beyond their metabolic effects.
PCSK9 inhibitors
These injectable drugs dramatically lower LDL cholesterol when statins aren't enough. Evolocumab and alirocumab are FDA-approved, and inclisiran — a twice-yearly injection — is being studied in broader populations.
Inflammation targeting
Drugs like low-dose colchicine reduce heart attacks by calming inflammation in artery plaques. Trials are testing whether other anti-inflammatory approaches can prevent events without increasing infection risk.
Gene therapies
Experimental gene editing and RNA therapies aim to permanently lower cholesterol in people with inherited conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia. Early trials show lasting LDL reductions after a single treatment.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on cholesterol levels, history of heart attacks or stents, diabetes status, and whether current medications have controlled your disease.
What types of trials are currently open
- Cholesterol trials — Testing new drugs or combinations to lower LDL cholesterol further than current treatments. Often involve injections or infusions.
- Anti-inflammatory trials — Testing drugs that target inflammation in artery plaques, aiming to prevent heart attacks through a different mechanism than cholesterol lowering.
- Prevention trials — Studies in people with early disease or high risk, testing whether new treatments can prevent progression to heart attacks or the need for procedures.
- Imaging studies — Using advanced scans to measure plaque buildup and see if treatments actually reverse blockages, not just prevent events.
- Procedure trials — Comparing new stent types, surgical techniques, or devices that improve blood flow to the heart.
Recently added Coronary Artery Disease trials
Donate blood samples to help researchers track healthy aging
The Health for Hungary (H4H) study collects blood samples and corresponding health data to investigate healthy aging and health-to-disease transitions in middle-aged and elderly participants. Indications Studied: Apparently healthy, symptom-free participants are enrolled and followed up to study the onset of new-onset diseases with special emphasis on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Study Design: Single-country, multicenter, prospective, longitudinal survey. Objectives: The study aims to establish reference ranges of blood parameters using routine clinical blood tests and high-information-content methods, including proteomics, metabolomics and the so-called infrared molecular fingerprinting. The study also aims to identify novel biomarkers of major non-communicable diseases, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease.
Clinical Study of Coronary Extension Catheter
This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study plans to enroll 69 subjects. Subjects meeting the protocol criteria will receive treatment with coronary extension catheters. The safety and efficacy of these catheters in percutaneous coronary intervention will be assessed through the collection and analysis of efficacy and safety endpoints during treatment and follow-up.
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