Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Investigating antiplatelet therapy to prevent complications in heart transplant patients

Official title: Early Initiation of Antiplatelet ThERapy In HeArt TranspLantation: AERIAL Trial

Run by Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation · NCT04770012 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests if giving heart transplant patients early treatment with aspirin or clopidogrel can help prevent a common problem where their heart arteries narrow.

More Heart Transplant trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment135 (estimated)
SponsorOttawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Vancouver, British Columbia and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 28, 2021
Main results expectedMarch 2027
Study endsMarch 2029
Registry record updatedMay 6, 2026
Trial IDNCT04770012 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have undergone a heart transplant.

Probably not a fit

Patients with allergies to aspirin or clopidogrel, or those with certain bleeding disorders, may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial focuses on cardiac allograft vasculopathy, a common complication in heart transplant patients that leads to narrowing of the heart arteries. The research team aims to determine if early antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel can prevent the development of this condition. Participants will be randomized to receive either a placebo, aspirin, or clopidogrel for the duration of the study, with evaluations including invasive coronary studies and platelet function testing at various intervals post-transplant. The primary goal is to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger multicenter randomized trial based on recruitment and event rates.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly reduce the incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant patients.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have explored antiplatelet therapy in similar contexts, but this specific approach is novel and aims to establish feasibility for a larger trial.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Heart transplant
2. Age ≥18 years
3. Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Allergy or known intolerance to aspirin
2. Allergy or known intolerance to clopidogrel
3. Intracranial hemorrhage ≤14 days
4. Bleeding disorder
5. Platelet count \<50 x 109/L
6. History of aspirin related gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers
7. Non-cardiac indication for antiplatelet therapy
8. Anticoagulation \>3 months
9. Allergy to iodinated contrast
10. Unable to undergo coronary angiography due to glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2 for non-dialysis patients
11. Unable to undergo coronary angiography due to unsuitable vascular access
12. Combined solid organ transplantation.

Where it's running

  • St.Pauls Hospital
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • University of Ottawa Heart Institute
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Toronto General Hospital UHN
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Sharon Chih — Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
  • Study coordinator: Sharon Chih
  • Email: schih@ottawaheart.ca
  • Phone: 613-696-7000

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Non-invasive test to predict early heart rejection in pediatric transplant patients

    This study tests non-invasive heart tests like cardiac MRI and blood markers to see if they can detect rejection in kids after heart transplant, potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsies.

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  • Non-intubated anesthesia for adult heart transplantation

    This trial tests whether keeping patients breathing on their own with a supraglottic airway during heart transplantation leads to fewer complications and faster recovery compared with standard intubated anesthesia.

    Recruiting The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University · Guangzhou, Guangdong · NCT07758894

  • Apixaban vs Warfarin in HeartMate 3 LVAD Patients

    This study tests whether apixaban can replace warfarin to prevent clots and bleeding problems in adults with an implanted HeartMate 3 LVAD for at least 3 months.

    Recruiting Phase 3 Columbia University · New York, New York · NCT07471139

  • Improving donor heart preservation with the OCS Heart System

    This study will test whether the OCS Heart System with a new preservation solution and a functional enhancer helps donor hearts—including DCD and higher‑risk DBD hearts—stay healthier and improve transplant outcomes compared with standard cold storage.

    Recruiting at 7 sites TransMedics · San Francisco, California and 7 other locations · NCT07145515

  • XVIVO Heart Box non-ischemic preservation for transporting donor hearts.

    This program tests whether the XVIVO non-ischemic heart preservation system can safely preserve extended-criteria donor hearts for adults waiting for a heart transplant.

    Recruiting at 14 sites XVIVO Perfusion · La Jolla, California and 13 other locations · NCT06895070

  • Empagliflozin to protect kidney and heart health after heart transplant

    This trial will test whether empagliflozin can protect kidney and heart health and improve metabolic and functional outcomes in Veterans who have had a heart transplant.

    Recruiting Phase 4 VA Office of Research and Development · Palo Alto, California and 5 other locations · NCT06625073

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.