Finding high-risk coronary plaque in people with a family history of heart attack
Official title: High-risk Coronary Atherosclerosis in Subjects With Family History of Myocardial Infarction; the FAMILY Study
Run by I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio · NCT07352111 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will use cardiac CT to see if asymptomatic adults with a family history of heart attack have hidden high-risk coronary plaque and whether blood and genetic tests relate to that.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 40 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | I.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Milan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 3, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07352111 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Asymptomatic adults with a positive family history of coronary artery disease, no known cardiovascular disease, and willing to undergo cardiac CT and blood testing are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who already have known cardiovascular disease, any cardiac symptoms, or who cannot have cardiac CT (for example due to pregnancy or contrast allergy) are unlikely to benefit from this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective, single-center project will enroll a consecutive cohort of asymptomatic adults who have a positive family history of coronary artery disease. Each participant will undergo a per-protocol cardiac CT with advanced atherosclerosis analysis to identify high-risk plaque features and overall coronary burden. At the time of imaging, blood samples will be collected for bio-humoral markers and genetic testing to explore correlations with imaging findings. The investigators will compare the prevalence of high-risk atherosclerosis to expectations from standard risk stratification and examine whether cardiac CT findings could reclassify patients toward more intensive primary prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could identify people at higher risk earlier so they can receive more intensive preventive treatment to lower future heart attack risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows cardiac CT reliably detects subclinical and high-risk coronary plaque and can improve risk prediction, but specifically targeting asymptomatic people based solely on family history is less well studied.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * patients with postive family history of CAD Exclusion Criteria: * known cardiovascular diseases * any symptoms
Where it's running
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Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'Ambrogio IRCCS
Milan, Italy Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Elena Cittera
- Email: direzionescientifica.ogsa@grupposandonato.it
- Phone: 0039 02 83502227
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.