Coronary artery disease — narrowing of the heart's arteries by cholesterol buildup — remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Standard care includes statins, blood pressure control, and procedures like stents or bypass surgery when arteries become severely blocked. Many people live decades with managed CAD, but events like heart attacks still occur despite optimal medication.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing PCSK9 inhibitors and inclisiran to drive LDL cholesterol lower than statins alone, anti-inflammatory drugs like colchicine and canakinumab to address immune system contributions, and gene therapies that may provide lasting cholesterol reduction with a single treatment. Researchers are also studying early detection methods and whether treating inflammation can prevent first heart attacks in high-risk people.
Inflammation-targeted treatments
Low-dose colchicine, an old gout drug, reduces heart attacks in people with CAD by calming chronic inflammation in artery walls. Newer drugs targeting specific inflammatory proteins are now in trials to see if they work even better.
Gene-based cholesterol lowering
Inclisiran, approved in 2021, uses RNA interference to silence PCSK9 production with twice-yearly injections. Trials are testing whether single-dose gene editing can provide permanent LDL reduction.
Microbiome and metabolism
Studies are investigating gut bacteria byproducts like TMAO that worsen artery disease. Trials are testing whether changing the microbiome or blocking these metabolites can slow plaque buildup.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on LDL cholesterol levels, history of heart attack or stent, other cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes, and current medication regimen.
What types of trials are currently open
- Prevention trials — Testing cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, or lifestyle programs in people at high risk to see if they prevent first heart attacks or strokes.
- Secondary prevention trials — Testing new drugs or drug combinations in people who already had a heart attack or stent, aiming to prevent another event.
- Imaging studies — Using advanced CT or MRI scans to measure plaque buildup and see whether new treatments can shrink blockages or stabilize vulnerable plaques.
- Procedural trials — Comparing stent types, testing new devices, or studying whether certain patients do better with surgery than stents.
- Biomarker studies — Following people over time to identify blood markers or genetic factors that predict who will develop severe CAD or have poor outcomes.
Recently added Coronary Artery Disease trials
MCG for Non-Obstructive Myocardial Ischemia
The aim of this prospective study is to identify Non-Obstructive Myocardial Ischemia of patients who have acute chest pain using Magnetocardiography.
Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy
After deciding to join this study and signing the informed consent form, participants will undergo the following interventions: All participants will receive a preoperative assessment (Tp) before surgery. Within five days after transferring from the ICU to the general ward, participants will receive a baseline assessment (T0). After completing seven sessions of myofascial release (MFR), a post-intervention assessment (T1) will be conducted. Assessments include maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), pulmonary function tests, mid- and lower-thoracic mobility, surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure diaphragmatic and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity, and pain scores. Pulmonary function tests include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive myofascial release therapy in addition to routine physical therapy in the general ward. Routine therapy includes daily physical therapy sessions such as out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. The MFR intervention consists of three steps: The therapist places both hands on the thoracic outlet, with the index and middle fingers above the clavicle. One hand is placed on the anterior chest and the other hand parallel on the participant's back. Both hands are placed on the anterolateral region of the thoracoabdominal diaphragm. During each step, participants are instructed to take 10 slow, deep breaths and direct airflow toward the therapist's hands. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes, once daily, for seven sessions. The control group will receive only routine physical therapy (out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry, and functional exercises) without additional myofascial release therapy.
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