Using evolocumab to lower cholesterol in patients with vulnerable plaques after heart surgery

A Single-center, Randomized, Parallel-group, Open-label Pilot Study to Evaluate the Impact of Evolocumab as an Additional Lipid-lowering Therapy to Changes in Lipid Core Burden Index of Non-culprit Vulnerable Plaque in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for the Acute Coronary Syndrome

Phase 4 Interventional Korea University Anam Hospital · NCT04719221

This study tests if a cholesterol-lowering drug called evolocumab can help patients with vulnerable heart plaques after heart surgery feel safer and have fewer heart problems over the next year.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages19 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKorea University Anam Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsevolocumab
Locations1 site (Seoul)
Trial IDNCT04719221 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of evolocumab, an intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy, on patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. It focuses on assessing changes in the Lipid Core Burden Index of non-culprit vulnerable plaques and compares the rate of cardiac events over a 12-month period following treatment. The study aims to determine if this therapy can effectively reduce the risk associated with high-risk plaques. Participants will be monitored closely to evaluate the impact of the treatment on their cardiovascular health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 19 who have undergone coronary stent surgery for acute coronary syndrome and have high LDL cholesterol levels despite maximum therapy.

Not a fit: Patients with known hypersensitivity to the study medications or those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce the risk of cardiac events in patients with vulnerable plaques.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar cholesterol-lowering therapies, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Over 19 years old
2. Patients who agree to the study plan and clinical follow-up plan, voluntarily decide to participate in this study, and consent in writing to the consent to use information
3. Patients who underwent NIRS-IVUS guided coronary stent surgery for acute coronary syndrome
4. Patients who did not meet the LDL-Cholesterol level (\<70mg/dL) even after receiving the maximum dose of combined cholesterol therapy for 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subjects with known hypersensitivity or contraindications to the following drugs or substances: heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, prasugrel, rosuvastatin, ezetimibe, evolocumab, lansoprazole, cobalt chromium, stainless steel nickel And contrast agents (however, even a subject who is hypersensitive to contrast agents can register if they can be controlled by steroids and pheniramine, except for known anaphylaxis.)
2. Pregnant women, lactating women, or women of childbearing age who plan to become pregnant during this study
3. Subjects who plan to have surgery to stop antiplatelet drugs within 12 months from registration
4. Those whose surviving life is expected to be less than 1 year
5. Subjects who visited the hospital due to psychogenic shock and are predicted to have low survival probability based on medical judgment
6. Subjects participating in a randomized study on cholesterol therapy

Where this trial is running

Seoul

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.
Conditions Clinical TrialAcute Coronary SyndromeevolocumabSpectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.