Study of ziltivekimab compared to placebo in patients with acute heart attack to evaluate its effects on coronary artery plaque reduction

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What is this study about?

This study focuses on patients with acute myocardial infarction, which is a serious condition where blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage to the heart tissue. The study will test a medication called ziltivekimab, which will be given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) once monthly, compared to placebo. Both treatments will be given in addition to standard medical care.

The purpose of this research is to determine if ziltivekimab is better than placebo at reducing the buildup of fatty deposits (called atherosclerosis) in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. The study will last for 12 months, during which participants will receive either ziltivekimab or placebo injections.

During the study, doctors will use special imaging techniques to look at the blood vessels of the heart to measure changes in the fatty deposits. They will also collect blood samples to measure various substances that can indicate inflammation and heart health. The study will track participants’ health outcomes, including any heart-related events that may occur during the study period.

1 Initial medical imaging procedure

Following your heart attack treatment and within 48 hours of your coronary procedure, specialized imaging of your heart arteries will be performed

The imaging will examine specific sections of your heart arteries that show 20-50% narrowing

You will receive nitroglycerin during the imaging procedure

2 Assignment to treatment group

You will be randomly assigned to receive either ziltivekimab or a placebo

Both groups will continue receiving standard heart attack treatment

3 Treatment administration

You will receive monthly injections under the skin of either ziltivekimab or placebo

The treatment will continue throughout the study period

4 Blood tests

Blood samples will be collected at the start of the study

Additional blood tests will be performed at week 4 and week 52

These tests will measure various heart and inflammation markers in your blood

5 Follow-up imaging

At the end of the study period, another detailed imaging of your heart arteries will be performed

This imaging will be compared to your initial images to measure changes in your arteries

6 Health monitoring

Throughout the study, you will be monitored for any heart-related events

This includes tracking any additional heart problems, procedures, or stroke-like symptoms

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Must have experienced a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) and received treatment with coronary angioplasty (PCI) within the last 48 hours
  • Must have one of these two conditions:
    • STEMI (heart attack with specific ECG changes showing elevated ST segment) with chest pain starting within 24 hours before heart examination
    • NSTEMI (heart attack showing increased levels of heart proteins called troponins in blood tests)
  • Must have at least two main heart arteries that meet these conditions:
    • Show mild to moderate narrowing (20-50% blockage)
    • Be suitable for imaging with special cameras
    • Have not had previous procedures
    • Not be artificial bypass vessels
    • Not be planned for treatment in the next 6 months
  • Must be in stable condition and able to receive multiple doses of nitroglycerin (a medication that widens blood vessels) during the imaging procedure
  • Can be either male or female
  • Must be an adult (18 years or older)

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • History of allergic reactions to similar medications
  • Current participation in other clinical trials or within past 30 days
  • Major surgery planned during the study period
  • Severe kidney disease (problems with kidney function)
  • Severe liver disease (problems with liver function)
  • Active or chronic infections
  • History of autoimmune diseases (when body’s immune system attacks healthy cells)
  • Current treatment with immunosuppressive medications (drugs that lower immune system activity)
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • History of cancer within the past 5 years
  • Significant heart rhythm problems
  • Active bleeding or high risk of bleeding
  • Severe mental health conditions that could affect participation
  • Drug or alcohol abuse within the past year
  • Life expectancy less than the duration of the study

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Medical University Of Vienna Vienna Austria

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
IRCCS Policlinico San Donato San Donato Milanese Italy
Stichting Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands
IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa Italy
Aalborg University Hospital Aalborg Denmark
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carita Novara Italy
Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark
A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino Di Messina Messina Italy
Haqqjezu Uiptbkxwqlcbo Dq Lj Pfhokzdd Madrid Spain
Hahmdihl Ulbuqgbxpcqpu Mzhxrem De Veaweikcij Santander Spain
Aofkwny Ofomrserwey S Golcmnth Atlhknmqbw Rome Italy
Esohcpv Uczttivimbry Mixccyd Cemsrik Rodzrkdgx (khswxih Meg Rotterdam The Netherlands
Ainaalr Oujcnllwrap Pbzq Gkkqabmv Xowpw Bergamo Italy

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Austria Austria
Recruiting
17.10.2025
Denmark Denmark
Recruiting
17.10.2025
Italy Italy
Recruiting
17.10.2025
Spain Spain
Recruiting
17.10.2025
The Netherlands The Netherlands
Recruiting
17.10.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Ziltivekimab is an investigational medication that targets inflammation in blood vessels. It is being studied to see if it can help reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries of people who have recently had a heart attack. This medication is given once a month as an addition to standard heart medications.

Placebo is an inactive substance that contains no medication. It is used as a comparison to help determine if ziltivekimab is effective in treating patients with heart conditions.

Standard of Care (SOC) therapy refers to the usual medications and treatments that patients receive after having a heart attack, which may include blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Investigated diseases:

Acute Myocardial Infarction – A serious condition that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage to the heart tissue. It happens when one or more coronary arteries become suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot forming on top of plaque buildup in the artery wall. The blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching that section of heart muscle, leading to tissue damage. The affected heart muscle begins to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen. The extent of damage depends on the size of the area supplied by the blocked artery and the time between injury and treatment. Changes in the heart muscle can lead to weakening of the heart’s pumping ability.

Trial ID:
2024-520364-34-00
Protocol code:
NN6018-8195
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)

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