Predicting how coronary artery disease progresses in adults 45 and younger

Risk Prediction of Disease Progression in Early-Onset Coronary Atherosclerosis

This project will try to build prediction models using coronary CT scans and health data from people aged 18–45 to see who is more likely to have plaque get worse over time.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 10000 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 45 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Fu Wai Hospital, Beijing, China (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT07316452 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a large, multicenter observational effort across China enrolling about 10,000 participants aged 18–45 who undergo coronary CT. At enrollment the project collects basic health information, cardiovascular risk factors, blood test results, medication use, lifestyle habits, and optional genetic data for some participants. Participants will be asked to return for follow-up coronary CT scans after several years to measure changes in plaque and disease progression. The collected clinical and imaging data will be used to identify factors linked to progression and to build models that estimate future plaque progression and cardiovascular event risk.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–45 with symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease who have completed a coronary CT, can provide informed consent, and are willing to attend follow-up visits are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with prior coronary revascularization, poor‑quality coronary CT images, severe life‑limiting systemic disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those unable to complete follow‑up are unlikely to gain benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the models could help clinicians identify younger adults at higher risk so they can offer earlier prevention and monitoring to reduce future heart events.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational cohorts have linked clinical risk factors and CT plaque features to progression, but large nationwide CT‑based prediction efforts specifically focused on young adults are relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 and 45 years at the time of enrollment.
2. Presence of symptoms suggestive of coronary artery disease and completion of coronary computed tomography (CT) examination.
3. Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent and to participate in follow-up assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability or unwillingness to complete follow-up assessments.
2. Inability to provide written informed consent.
3. History of coronary revascularization, including percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting.
4. Poor-quality coronary computed tomography images that are inadequate for reliable plaque assessment.
5. Presence of severe systemic disease with limited life expectancy that may interfere with study follow-up.
6. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
7. Participation in another clinical study that may interfere with the outcomes of this study.

Where this trial is running

Beijing

• FuWai hospital — Beijing, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Zhihui Hou, MD, PhD

Conditions Coronary Disease; Young Adult