Understanding human coronary artery plaque and its impact on heart health
Official title: Human Coronary Artery Plaque Transcriptomes and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11062424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the genes in heart artery plaques to see how they might affect the risk of heart attacks, and it's for patients who are having heart procedures to help us learn more about why some people have heart problems while others don’t.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $606,564 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173778-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions, particularly those with acute coronary syndromes or stable coronary artery disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have coronary artery disease or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic makeup of human coronary artery plaques to better understand their stability and risk factors for heart attacks. By analyzing tissue samples from patients undergoing heart procedures, the study aims to identify differences in plaque characteristics between those with acute coronary syndromes and stable heart conditions. The research will involve sequencing the genetic material from plaques of 2,400 patients, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of how these factors may predict future heart events. This approach seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps in the understanding of coronary artery disease in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved methods for predicting heart attack risk and better treatment strategies for patients with coronary artery disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic analysis of plaques to predict cardiovascular events, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Widlansky, Michael E — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Widlansky, Michael E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.