Identifying Vulnerable Plaques in Blood Vessels of the Heart Using a New Imaging Technique (NCT00540761)
Natural History of Vulnerable Coronary Plaques
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
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.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts
Age range: 21 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (3 Sites)
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts
- Lahey Clinic — Burlington, Massachusetts
- Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center — New York, New York
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
Explore by condition: All Coronary Arteriosclerosis clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.