Drug balloons versus stents for branching heart artery blockages
Part of Heart & circulation clinical trials.
This study compares two ways to treat blockages where a heart artery splits into two branches: using special balloons that release medication versus placing stents (small metal tubes). The goal is to find the safest and most effective approach for patients with stable chest pain and proven heart blood-flow problems.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- Age 80 or younger with expected to live at least 1 year
- Stable chest pain (CCS) with proven reduced blood flow to the heart
- New blockage (never treated before) at a branching point in heart arteries, 50–99% narrowed
- Both branches of the blockage must be 2.0–4.5 mm wide, with main branch blockage ≤30 mm long and side branch blockage ≤10 mm long
- No recent severe heart attack, blood clots in arteries, severe heart failure, kidney failure, active cancer, or high bleeding risk
- Normal blood counts (hemoglobin ≥10 g/dL, normal platelet count) and normal heart pumping strength (ejection fraction >40%)
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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