How coronary artery shape affects plaque and blood flow
High-Risk Plaques Identification Using Coronary Computed Tomography and Computational Fluid Dynamics
This project tests whether combining coronary CT scans with computer simulations of blood flow can help identify high-risk plaques in adults aged 40–70 who have symptoms or risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Dhaka) |
| Trial ID | NCT07002697 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project combines coronary CT imaging (CCT) with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to map blood flow patterns around atherosclerotic plaques. Adults with symptoms or multiple coronary risk factors undergo gated multi-detector CCT with iodinated contrast, followed by image reconstruction and CFD simulation using Mimics and Ansys software. The workflow includes patient selection, image segmentation, CFD modeling, and analysis of plaque features such as positive remodeling, low attenuation, and napkin-ring sign. The goal is to link plaque morphology and local hemodynamics to improve non-invasive prediction of lesions likely to cause acute coronary syndrome.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 40–70 years old with chest pain or multiple coronary risk factors who can undergo contrast CT and provide informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with severe renal impairment, prior allergic reaction to iodinated contrast, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify plaques likely to cause heart attacks earlier and guide targeted preventive treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches like CT-derived FFR and CFD analyses of plaque hemodynamics have shown promising results, but integrating detailed plaque features with CFD for ACS prediction is still relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 40-70 years. * Presenting with symptoms of CAD (e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath) or having multiple risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, smoking). * Able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe renal impairment (due to contrast media risk). * Previous allergic reaction to iodinated contrast media. * Pregnant or lactating women.
Where this trial is running
Dhaka
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) — Dhaka, Bangladesh (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Muhammad Tarik Arafat, PhD — Department of Biomedical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka - 1205
- Study coordinator: Muhammad Tarik Arafat, PhD
- Email: tarikarafat@bme.buet.ac.bd
- Phone: 01911764467
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.