Ongoing Clinical Trials for Coronary Artery Disease
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating new treatment approaches for coronary artery disease, specifically focusing on patients who also have prediabetes. This trial is examining how certain medications commonly used for blood sugar management may help slow or reverse the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries.
Clinical trial locations
Study on the Effects of Semaglutide, Dapagliflozin, and Metformin in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Prediabetes
This trial is investigating whether medications typically used to manage blood sugar levels can also help patients with both coronary artery disease and prediabetes. Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, while prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range.
Who can participate:
- Adults between 18 and 80 years old
- People diagnosed with coronary artery disease, with at least 20% narrowing in the heart’s blood vessels visible on a heart scan
- Those with prediabetes, confirmed by blood tests
- A good-quality heart scan (CT scan) must be completed within 3 months before joining the study
- Must have been managing heart health risks like diet and lifestyle in a stable way for at least 4 weeks
- Must be willing and able to follow all study requirements
Who cannot participate:
- Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions to any of the study medications
- Those with uncontrolled high blood pressure
- People with severe liver or kidney disease
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone who has participated in another clinical trial within the last 30 days
- People with a history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year
- Those with any other medical condition that doctors believe would make participation unsafe
Study focus and design: This 24-month trial aims to compare how well three different medications can slow down or even reverse plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of three medications: semaglutide (brand name Rybelsus), dapagliflozin (brand name Forxiga), or metformin (brand name Formetic). All medications are taken orally as tablets.
Throughout the study, participants will receive their assigned medication along with guidance on diet and lifestyle changes. Progress will be monitored using CT scans, which provide detailed images of the heart and its blood vessels. The study will track various health factors including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and most importantly, changes in the amount of plaque in the coronary arteries.
Investigational drugs:
- Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that mimics a natural hormone helping to regulate blood sugar levels. While primarily used for type 2 diabetes, researchers want to see if it can also reduce plaque buildup in the arteries
- Dapagliflozin is an SGLT-2 inhibitor that lowers blood sugar by helping the kidneys remove excess sugar through urine. The trial will evaluate whether it can also slow coronary artery disease progression
- Metformin is a widely used medication for managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. In this study, it serves as a comparison to evaluate the effectiveness of the other medications
Summary
Currently, there is one active clinical trial examining treatment options for coronary artery disease in patients with prediabetes. This trial, conducted in Poland, represents an innovative approach by investigating whether medications traditionally used for blood sugar management might also benefit heart health by reducing plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. The study focuses on comparing three different oral medications over a 24-month period, using advanced imaging technology to track disease progression. This research may provide valuable insights into new treatment strategies for patients managing both cardiovascular and metabolic health concerns.
