Predicting heart rhythm emergencies in coronary artery disease patients

Plain-English translation of NCT07444931 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated March 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 ·

What is this trial?

Researchers are trying to build better tools to predict which people with coronary artery disease are at highest risk for sudden cardiac arrest—a life-threatening heart rhythm emergency. This study will collect blood samples, heart imaging data, genetic information, and health history from about 1,500 patients with confirmed coronary artery disease and follow them for up to 15 years. The goal is to develop a smarter, science-based system to identify at-risk patients earlier, so doctors can intervene before a dangerous event happens.

Current methods for predicting who will have a sudden cardiac arrest are not very accurate and miss many high-risk patients. This study exists to find new biological clues and develop better prediction tools so that doctors can identify vulnerable patients sooner and potentially prevent deaths.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease confirmed by a heart imaging test (angiography or CT scan) within the past 12 months
you are able to provide written informed consent
your coronary artery narrowing is significant (more than 50% blockage or specific flow measurements) or you have had a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis
you can be recruited during a clinic visit, heart procedure, or hospitalization—or within 12 months of your diagnosis

You likely don't qualify if…

you are older than 75 years old
you have a severe neurodegenerative disease (such as ALS, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson's) or significant memory problems
you have active cancer that is likely to shorten your life to less than one year
you have a Do-Not-Resuscitate order in place
you have a different heart condition that carries very high risk for dangerous rhythms (such as genetic long QT syndrome or certain cardiomyopathies)

What participation looks like

You will have baseline visits where researchers collect blood samples for genetic testing, review your medical records and heart imaging, take an electrocardiogram (heart tracing), and ask detailed questions about your health history and lifestyle. After that, you'll be followed over many years with periodic check-ins to track your health and any heart events. No experimental medications or procedures are involved—you'll receive standard medical care from your regular doctors throughout the study.

Predicting heart rhythm emergencies in coronary artery disease patients

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(3 sites)