Identifying Vulnerable Plaques in Blood Vessels of the Heart Using a New Imaging Technique
Coronary Arteriosclerosis
What this study involves
The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Age range
- 21 years - Not specified
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 320 Estimated
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
Atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits of plaque build up along the inner walls of arteries, is a condition that may increase the risk of having a heart attack. Previous studies have shown that the presence of a specific kind of plaque, known as vulnerable plaque, is often found in people who have had a heart attack. This study will use a new imaging technique called optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) to examine the presence of vulnerable plaques in people with coronary artery disease.
Read the full description
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which deposits of fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up along the inner walls of arteries; these deposits are known as plaque. As plaque builds up, it increases the risk of heart attack. Previous autopsy studies have shown that vulnerable plaques, a type of atherosclerotic plaque, are commonly found in people who have had a heart attack. Until recently it has been difficult to identify vulnerable plaques in people prior to their death. Many people who have coronary artery disease and are at risk of having a heart attack undergo angioplasty, a procedure that opens a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. During angioplasty, imaging devices are often used to take pictures of the inside of blood vessels. The most commonly used imaging device, an intravenous ultrasound (IVUS) catheter, is threaded through the blood vessels and uses sound waves to take pictures. An OFDI is a new type of catheter that takes more detailed pictures of blood vessel walls and plaques. The additional detail provided by OFDI images may improve detection of vulnerable plaques, which may help physicians identify people who are at high risk of having a heart attack. This study will use standard IVUS imaging and OFDI to examine vulnerable plaques within blood vessels of the heart and to evaluate any changes that occur over time in heart blood vessels and plaque.
This study will enroll participant with coronary artery disease who are undergoing angioplasty. At a baseline study visit, participants will first undergo an angiography procedure, in which x-ray pictures will be taken of the heart blood vessels. Participants will then be randomly assigned to undergo either the IVUS procedure followed by the OFDI procedure or vice versa. Repeat angiographies will occur after each imaging procedure. Next, participants will undergo angioplasty and a stent will be placed at the area of the blood vessel that is narrowed or blocked to keep the blood vessel open. Finally, participants will undergo repeat IVUS and OFDI procedures. For some participants, the study physician may perform the IVUS and OFDI procedures only after the angioplasty. Every six months and for a period of two years, participants will complete questionnaires about medication history and heart problems that may have occurred since the baseline visit.Blood collection will occur if this is done during office visit.
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Undergoing PCTI for coronary artery disease
- Women with childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test within the 7 days prior to study entry
Exclusion Criteria:
- Kidney insufficiency (i.e., GFR\<50ml/min)
- OR pregnancy
- OR participants who have had a ST elevation heart attack will be excluded for at least 72 hours post-heart attack and until cardiac enzymes return to normal. Participants who have had a non-ST elevation heart attack will be excluded if they have evidence of ongoing ischemia, defined as chest pain or new electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in the 12 hours prior to study entry and/or rising creatine kinase (CK) and CK-MB serum enzymes.
- OR high-risk and complex lesions, including tortuous blood vessels and lesions with thrombosis
- OR unprotected left main coronary artery disease
- OR enrolled in another investigational clinical trial within the 6 months prior to study entry
- OR severe peripheral vascular disease
- OR active ischemia
- OR congestive heart failure
- OR prior coronary artery bypass surgery
- OR emergent procedures
- OR inability to return for study follow-up procedures
Treatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Random assignment
- Masking
- No masking
OFDI imaging
OFDI catheter advanced to the distal coronary artery
Device: OFDI imaging
Intravenous Ultrasound
Randomization to determine whether Intravenous Ultrasound will be conducted before or after OFDI imaging.
Device: OFDI imaging
OFDI imaging DEVICE
Intervention of OFDI system and Imaging of the culprit lesion using the OFDI system.
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Determine prevalence of vulnerable plaques
Time frame: 2 years
Number of subjects with vulnerable plaques
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (3)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
3 locations
Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts, United StatesStatus unknown
Lahey ClinicBurlington, Massachusetts, United StatesStatus unknown
Columbia Presbyterian Medical CenterNew York, New York, United StatesStatus unknown
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study start
- Jul 25, 2007 Actual
- Primary completion
- 2028-12 Estimated
- Study completion
- 2030-12 Estimated
- First posted
- Oct 8, 2007 Estimated
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.
Official study title
Natural History of Vulnerable Coronary Plaques
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 12, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026