Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the legs, causing pain with walking and, in severe cases, limb-threatening tissue death. It affects millions of people — most of whom have concurrent coronary artery disease — and remains undertreated.
What's actually going on in research
Rivaroxaban added to aspirin has proven beneficial for reducing major cardiovascular events in PAD, and trials are testing other antithrombotic combinations. Gene therapy delivering VEGF or other angiogenic growth factors to stimulate new blood vessel formation in the legs is in later-stage trials after mixed early results. Intravascular drug-coated balloons and stents are being compared in trials for which device produces better long-term patency in different artery segments.
Antithrombotic optimization
Combinations of low-dose anticoagulants with antiplatelet drugs are being tested to reduce limb events and amputations while keeping bleeding risk manageable.
Gene therapy for angiogenesis
VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha gene therapy are in late trials to stimulate collateral blood vessel growth in patients with severe limb ischemia who have no surgical revascularization options.
Endovascular device comparison
Drug-coated balloons, drug-eluting stents, and atherectomy devices are being compared head-to-head across above-knee, below-knee, and tibial artery PAD.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on ABI measurement, disease severity (claudication vs. critical limb ischemia), anatomy, surgical eligibility, and prior revascularization history.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering combinations to prevent limb and cardiovascular events.
- Endovascular trials — Comparing drug-coated balloons, stents, and atherectomy for arterial revascularization.
- Gene therapy trials — Testing angiogenic gene therapy for critical limb ischemia without surgical options.
- Surgical trials — Comparing bypass surgery techniques, graft materials, and conduit selection.
- Rehabilitation trials — Evaluating supervised exercise programs and walking training to improve walking distance.
Recently added Peripheral Artery Disease trials
Take a new blood-clotting medication being compared to a standard drug
CG-0255 is a novel investigational prodrug of the active metabolite of Plavix®， but with different active metabolite conversion routes. This is a randomized, open-label and Plavix®-controlled study to compare the PK and PD of CG-0255 Besylate and Plavix® in healthy participants.
Share data from your vascular procedure via arm artery access
The RADIUS study is a prospective observational registry designed to collect real-world data regarding radial and ulnar artery access in percutaneous vascular interventions. The study aims to evaluate procedural characteristics, access-site complications, procedural success, and short-term clinical outcomes associated with transradial and transulnar vascular access. Patients undergoing routine percutaneous vascular interventions via radial or ulnar artery access at Mersin Medical Park Hospital will be consecutively enrolled. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, procedural, and post-procedural data will be prospectively collected and analyzed. The study was initially designed as a single-center registry; however, following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, expansion into a multicenter registry with participating centers is planned. This study is observational in nature and does not involve any experimental treatment, device, or intervention beyond standard clinical care.
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