Using clopidogrel to prevent heart issues in patients with early signs of coronary artery disease

Efficacy and Safety of Clopidogrel for Primary Prevention in Patients With Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis Identified on Imaging

PHASE4 · Seoul National University Hospital · NCT05845489

This study is testing if the medication clopidogrel can help prevent heart problems in people who have early signs of coronary artery disease but don't need surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment11086 (estimated)
Ages40 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSeoul National University Hospital (other)
Locations61 sites (Seoul, Other and 60 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05845489 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness and safety of clopidogrel as a preventive treatment for patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis who do not require revascularization. The study aims to determine if clopidogrel can reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in these patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either clopidogrel or no antiplatelet therapy, allowing for a comparison of outcomes. The trial addresses a gap in current knowledge regarding primary prevention strategies for coronary artery disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals aged 40 and older with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis identified through imaging, without significant coronary artery stenosis requiring revascularization.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases or those requiring chronic antiplatelet therapy will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new preventive treatment option for patients at risk of cardiovascular events due to subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

How similar studies have performed: While antiplatelet therapy has been established for secondary prevention, the use of clopidogrel for primary prevention in patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis is a novel approach that has not been thoroughly tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female aged ≥40 years
* Patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis identified from coronary CT angiography or coronary angiography within 2 years without clinical events after an imaging study
* Without significant coronary artery stenosis (Diameter stenosis \>50%), which needs revascularization
* Agreement to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* A history of a diagnosed cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease (Type1 myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, carotid artery stenosis\>50%, carotid artery intervention)
* A history of coronary artery intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery, which needs chronic maintenance of antiplatelet therapy
* Absolute contraindication or allergy to clopidogrel
* Patients receiving anticoagulants for other comorbidities
* A history of Bleeding diathesis, known coagulopathy, or major bleeding, BARC class ≥3, resulting in the stop of antiplatelet agents
* Planned surgery or intervention which needs to stop antiplatelet agents ≥1 month
* Presence of non-cardiac comorbidity with life expectancy ≤ 5 years at randomization
* Females with pregnancy or breast-feeding
* Patients who are thought to be inappropriate for the trial based on physicians' decision

Where this trial is running

Seoul, Other and 60 other locations

+11 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

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, coronary artery disease, clopidogrel, prevention

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.