Reducing plaque in coronary arteries using a drug-coated balloon

Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Facilitates Rapid Reduction in Plaque Lipid Burden in Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: a Serial NIRS-IVUS Imaging Study

Korea University Ansan Hospital · NCT05438121

This study is testing if a special drug-coated balloon can help reduce plaque in the arteries of people with serious heart disease better than regular medication.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment65 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorKorea University Ansan Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do)
Trial IDNCT05438121 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the effectiveness of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in reducing lipid burden in coronary atherosclerotic plaques compared to traditional statin-based medical treatment. The study will assess changes in plaque composition using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) at 6-9 months after the procedure. Patients with significant multivessel coronary artery disease and suitable de novo lesions will be included, while those with certain exclusions will not be eligible. The goal is to determine if DCB can provide a more immediate benefit in stabilizing coronary plaques.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with significant multivessel coronary artery disease requiring revascularization and suitable de novo lesions for DCB angioplasty.

Not a fit: Patients who are hemodynamically unstable, have severe comorbidities, or unsuitable lesions for DCB angioplasty may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved stabilization of coronary plaques and reduced risk of heart attacks for patients with coronary artery disease.

How similar studies have performed: While statin therapy has shown benefits in plaque stabilization, the use of DCB for this purpose is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested in similar studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with significant multivessel coronary artery disease requiring revascularization
* Any De novo lesions (reference vessel diameter of 2.25mm\~4.0mm) suitable for DCB angioplasty
* Lesion suitable for intravascular imagings
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hemodynamically unstable or cardiogenic shock
* Left main stenotic lesion or graft vessel lesion
* Visible angiographic thrombus, not resolved by balloon angioplasty
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Comorbidities with life expectancy \< 12 months
* Severe coronary calcification or tortuosity, hindering timely DCB delivery

Where this trial is running

Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerotic Plaque, De Novo Stenosis, drug coated balloon, Near infrared spectroscopy, NIRS-IVUS, De novo coronary lesion

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.