Clinical Trials for Pulmonary Embolism
There are currently 11 ongoing clinical trials studying different treatments and diagnostic approaches for pulmonary embolism. These studies are taking place across multiple European countries and are investigating medications including blood thinners, clot-dissolving drugs, and imaging techniques to improve diagnosis and treatment of this serious condition where blood clots block arteries in the lungs.
Clinical trial locations
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechia
- Denmark
- France
- Study on Lung Function After Pulmonary Embolism Using Galligas and 68Ga-MAA in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on Monitoring vs. Rivaroxaban for Patients with Low-Risk Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on Reduced Dose of Alteplase for Patients with Intermediate-High-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on Rosuvastatin for Reducing Blood Clots in Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on the Best Antithrombotic Therapy for Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism Using Tinzaparin Sodium and Drug Combination
- Germany
- Italy
- Study on Reduced Dose of Alteplase for Patients with Intermediate-High-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on Sulodexide for Preventing Recurrence of Blood Clots in Elderly Patients After First Episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism
- Study on the Effectiveness of Oxygen for Patients with Intermediate-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
See more trials
Study on Monitoring vs. Rivaroxaban for Patients with Low-Risk Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism
This trial is examining two different approaches for treating people who have a small blood clot in their lungs, known as isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism. The study focuses on low-risk patients who may not necessarily need blood-thinning medication.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism within the last two weeks may be eligible. Participants must be considered low-risk, meaning they don’t have other serious medical conditions that would complicate treatment.
Who cannot participate: The study excludes patients who are not considered low-risk, those who cannot follow study procedures, people currently in other clinical trials, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with severe allergies to study medications. People who require blood thinners for other medical reasons or who have had recent major surgery are also excluded.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive close monitoring without medication, while the other will take Rivaroxaban, a blood-thinning medication taken as a tablet. The study aims to determine whether simply watching patients carefully is as safe and effective as treating them with medication. Researchers will monitor participants for 90 days, checking for any new blood clots, bleeding problems, or other health issues.
Medications being tested: The main medication being studied is Rivaroxaban, an anticoagulant that helps prevent blood clots. The study compares this treatment to clinical surveillance, which means careful monitoring without medication.
Study on Reduced Dose of Alteplase for Patients with Intermediate-High-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
This trial is testing whether a lower dose of a clot-dissolving medication called alteplase is effective for patients with a serious but not immediately life-threatening type of pulmonary embolism.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism within the past two weeks may qualify. The condition must be confirmed by special imaging tests, and participants must show signs of heart strain. This includes having low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, or a history of heart failure.
Who cannot participate: Patients who don’t have intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism or who fall outside the specified age range cannot join. People from vulnerable populations are also excluded from this study.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the reduced dose of alteplase or a placebo. The medication is given directly into a vein. Researchers will monitor participants for 30 days to see if the treatment helps prevent death or serious complications like heart problems or new blood clots. The study also tracks any bleeding events to ensure the treatment is safe.
Medications being tested: The study uses alteplase, a thrombolytic therapy that works by dissolving blood clots. The goal is to determine if a lower dose can effectively treat the condition while reducing the risk of bleeding complications.
Study on Rosuvastatin for Reducing Blood Clots in Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism
This trial is investigating whether rosuvastatin, a medication commonly used to lower cholesterol, can help prevent blood clots from coming back in patients who have already experienced deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older who have had a confirmed blood clot in their leg or lung within the past 30 days may be eligible. Participants must have completed at least three months of blood-thinning treatment without significant interruption and must not need this treatment for any other reason.
Who cannot participate: Pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot participate. The study also excludes people with severe liver or kidney disease, recent major surgery, uncontrolled high blood pressure, significant bleeding problems, or those taking medications that might interfere with the study drug.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either rosuvastatin or a placebo tablet. They will take the medication orally and be monitored regularly for any signs of new blood clots or other health problems. The study will continue until the end of 2027, tracking whether the medication helps reduce the chance of blood clots returning.
Medications being tested: Rosuvastatin is a statin medication that may help prevent blood clots by reducing inflammation and stabilizing blood vessel walls. While it’s commonly used for cholesterol management, this study is exploring its potential benefit in preventing recurrent blood clots.
Study on the Best Antithrombotic Therapy for Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism Using Tinzaparin Sodium and Drug Combination
This study is comparing different approaches to preventing blood clots in patients who have acute venous thromboembolism and also take antiplatelet medications for heart-related conditions.
Who can participate: Adults with acute venous thromboembolism confirmed within the past 30 days may qualify. Participants must be prescribed full-dose anticoagulant therapy for at least three months and must already be taking antiplatelet medications for heart and blood vessel disease prevention.
Who cannot participate: The study excludes people outside the specified age range and those from vulnerable populations. Additional exclusion criteria may apply based on individual health conditions.
What the study involves: Participants will receive anticoagulant therapy using one of several medications including tinzaparin sodium, warfarin, apixaban, or others. The study will monitor participants for up to 12 months to assess bleeding risks and other health outcomes. The goal is to determine whether using anticoagulant therapy alone is safer than combining it with antiplatelet medications.
Medications being tested: The study involves various anticoagulant medications that help prevent blood clots by thinning the blood. These are being compared with combination therapy that includes both anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications.
Study on the Effectiveness of Oxygen for Patients with Intermediate-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
This trial is evaluating whether providing extra oxygen helps patients with intermediate-risk acute pulmonary embolism recover better and avoid serious complications.
Who can participate: Adults between 18 and 64 years old who have pulmonary embolism confirmed by special imaging may be eligible. The condition must show enlargement of the right side of the heart, confirmed by imaging tests.
Who cannot participate: People outside the specified age range or those from vulnerable populations cannot participate. Only patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism are eligible.
What the study involves: Participants will receive supplemental oxygen through inhalation. Researchers will monitor them for 30 days to see if oxygen therapy helps prevent severe drops in blood pressure or death. The study also tracks hospital stay length, serious side effects, and recovery outcomes.
Medications being tested: The study is testing oxygen as a treatment rather than a traditional medication. Oxygen helps ensure the body gets enough oxygen when the lungs are not working well due to blocked blood vessels.
Study of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Using Alteplase for Treatment of Intermediate-High Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism
This study compares a targeted procedure that delivers clot-dissolving medication directly to blood clots versus standard blood-thinning therapy for patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.
Who can participate: Adults between 18 and 80 years old who have pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT scan within 14 days of symptom onset may qualify. Participants must have intermediate-high risk disease with reduced heart function and elevated blood markers indicating heart stress.
Who cannot participate: People under 18 or over 75, those with active bleeding or high bleeding risk, recent major surgery, recent stroke, very low platelet counts, pregnant or breastfeeding women, severe kidney failure requiring dialysis, bleeding disorders, severe liver disease, or active cancer requiring treatment cannot participate.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard blood-thinning medication or catheter-directed thrombolysis, where medication is delivered directly to the clot through a thin tube. Follow-up assessments occur at 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days, 12 months, and 24 months, including heart ultrasounds, walking tests, and quality of life evaluations.
Medications being tested: The study uses alteplase, a thrombolytic medication that breaks down blood clots. It’s delivered directly to the clot site through a catheter, with a maximum daily dose of 20 milligrams. This is compared to standard anticoagulant therapy.
Study on Lung Function After Pulmonary Embolism Using Galligas and 68Ga-MAA in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
This trial uses specialized imaging techniques to assess how well the lungs are working after treatment for pulmonary embolism.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older who have been treated with blood-thinning medication for 3 to 8 months for pulmonary embolism may be eligible. Participants must have breathing difficulties and impact on daily life as measured by a quality of life score, and must have an abnormal lung scan at the initial visit.
Who cannot participate: People outside the specified age range, those from vulnerable populations, and patients with a history of previous pulmonary embolism cannot participate.
What the study involves: Participants will undergo specialized PET/CT imaging using two different substances: Galligas and 68Ga-MAA. These imaging agents help doctors see how well air and blood are moving through the lungs. The study monitors participants for changes in lung function and quality of life over time, with follow-up assessments planned until December 2025.
Medications being tested: The study uses Galligas, an inhalation gas that helps visualize air movement in the lungs, and 68Ga-MAA, a radioactive substance injected into the blood to show blood flow in the lungs. These are diagnostic agents used for imaging rather than treatment.
Study on Pulmonary Embolism: Comparing Iomeprol Dosages in CT Scans for Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
This trial is examining which amount of contrast agent provides the best images for diagnosing pulmonary embolism during CT scans.
Who can participate: Patients of any age or gender who are referred for a pulmonary CT angiography to check for pulmonary embolism may be eligible.
Who cannot participate: People with a history of pulmonary embolism or those from vulnerable populations cannot participate.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of three different amounts of iodinated contrast during their CT scan: 20 mL, 30 mL, or 40 mL. The contrast is injected into a vein to help make blood vessels visible on the scan. Researchers will compare the image quality and diagnostic accuracy from each dose to determine which provides the best results for detecting blood clots.
Medications being tested: The study uses iomeprol, an iodinated contrast agent that helps create clearer images of blood vessels during CT scans. This is a diagnostic agent used to improve imaging quality rather than treat the condition.
Study on Sulodexide for Preventing Recurrence of Blood Clots in Elderly Patients After First Episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism
This study is testing whether sulodexide can help prevent blood clots from returning in elderly patients who have experienced their first episode of venous thromboembolism.
Who can participate: Patients aged 75 and older who have had their first episode of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism may qualify. Participants must have completed at least three months of blood-thinning treatment without significant interruption and must have at least one risk factor for bleeding, such as high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, or frequent falls.
Who cannot participate: People younger than 75, those who haven’t had a recent episode of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, vulnerable populations, and those at high risk of major bleeding cannot participate.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of two doses of sulodexide or a placebo in capsule form. The study will monitor participants for up to 12 months, tracking any new blood clot episodes, deaths related to blood clots, and major bleeding events. The goal is to see if sulodexide can reduce the risk of blood clots returning by 35% while maintaining safety.
Medications being tested: Sulodexide is an antithrombotic medication that helps prevent blood clot formation. It works by enhancing the body’s natural clot-preventing mechanisms and is being tested for its ability to safely reduce the risk of recurrent blood clots in elderly patients.
Study on Treatments for Intermediate High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Comparing Percutaneous Embolectomy, Ultrasound-Assisted Thrombolysis with Alteplase, and Heparin
This trial compares three different treatment approaches for patients with intermediate high-risk pulmonary embolism: a procedure to physically remove clots, ultrasound-assisted clot-dissolving therapy, and standard blood-thinning medication.
Who can participate: Adults aged 18 and older who have intermediate high-risk pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT scan may qualify. The blood clot must be visible in major lung arteries, and symptoms must have started within the past 14 days.
Who cannot participate: People outside the specified age range, those from vulnerable populations, and patients who cannot provide informed consent are excluded. Those with medical conditions or treatments that could interfere with study procedures also cannot participate.
What the study involves: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. One group receives percutaneous embolectomy using a device to physically remove the clot. Another receives ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis with alteplase to dissolve the clot. The third group receives heparin with the option for higher-dose clot-dissolving medication if needed. Participants will undergo regular assessments including walking tests and quality of life surveys at 3 months and beyond.
Medications being tested: The study tests several approaches: the Flow Triever system for mechanical clot removal, the EKOS system combining ultrasound with alteplase for clot dissolution, and heparin as a blood thinner to prevent clot growth.
Summary
These clinical trials represent a comprehensive effort to improve treatment approaches for pulmonary embolism across different patient populations and disease severities. The studies are concentrated primarily in Western European countries, with France hosting the most trials, followed by countries including Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and Denmark.
A notable focus across multiple studies is the investigation of reduced-dose or alternative thrombolytic therapies, particularly using alteplase, suggesting researchers are seeking to balance effectiveness with safety concerns about bleeding complications. Several trials are exploring whether less intensive approaches, such as clinical surveillance alone or lower medication doses, might be sufficient for certain patient groups.
The research also addresses specific patient populations, including elderly patients and those with intermediate-risk disease, recognizing that treatment needs may vary based on age and disease severity. Additionally, some studies are examining novel applications of existing medications, such as rosuvastatin and sulodexide, for preventing blood clot recurrence.
Diagnostic improvements are also being studied, with trials examining optimal contrast doses for CT imaging and advanced imaging techniques using specialized radioactive tracers to assess lung function after treatment. These diverse approaches reflect ongoing efforts to personalize treatment strategies and improve outcomes for patients with pulmonary embolism.
