Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Residual Inflammation and Plaque Progression Long-term Evaluation

This study, called RIPPLE, is for people who have recently had a heart attack. It aims to understand why some people continue to have inflammation in their blood vessels even after treatment, and how this might lead to more heart problems in the long run. We use special scanning techniques, like advanced PET, CT, and MRI scans, to get detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels. These scans help us see any inflammation and track how your blood vessels change over time. By understanding the link between inflammation and future heart issues, we hope to find better ways to prevent them and improve care for people who have had a heart attack. This study does not test new treatments; it's about gaining more knowledge.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Cambridge

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2020

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2025

Atherosclerosis Myocardial Infarction Coronary Artery Disease Inflammation

What is this study about?

When you have a heart attack, it's often because a fatty build-up (called plaque) in your heart's arteries breaks open. This break is usually caused by inflammation, which is your body's response to injury or infection. Even after treatment for a heart attack, some people still have inflammation in their blood vessels, and this can put them at higher risk of having more heart problems.

The RIPPLE study wants to understand this link better. We're interested in something called 'residual inflammation' – that's the inflammation that might still be present in your arteries after you've had a heart attack. We'll use special types of scans to get a clear picture of what's happening. One scan, called a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scan, is particularly good at spotting specific types of inflammatory cells in your arteries. We'll also use other scans, like CT and MRI, to observe how the fatty plaques in your arteries change over time.

The main goal is to see if the inflammation we detect with these scans is connected to how your artery plaques develop and if it increases the risk of future heart issues. We also want to see how inflammation in the heart muscle itself, after a heart attack, affects how well your heart recovers and works. By doing this research, we hope to learn more about how to identify people at higher risk and ultimately find better ways to prevent future heart attacks.

Key takeaways

A research study for people who recently had their first heart attack.
Aims to understand inflammation in blood vessels and its link to future heart problems.
Uses special scans (PET, CT, MRI) to look at heart arteries and inflammation.
Does not involve new medications, focuses on observation.
Hopes to improve ways to prevent future heart attacks.
Participation will involve several visits for scans and follow-up.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for men and women over 18 years old who have recently had their first heart attack, usually within the last two weeks. You would need to be able to lie flat for scans and give your full permission to take part.

There are certain health conditions that would mean you couldn't join. For example, if you have certain serious existing kidney conditions, uncontrolled irregular heartbeat, or if you've had some major heart surgeries before this recent heart attack. We also can't include people who are currently taking high doses of steroids.

Women who could become pregnant would need to be using reliable contraception. Also, if you have allergies to certain scanning dyes or have a condition that would make lying still for scans difficult, you might not be able to participate. The study doctor would review your full health history to make sure taking part is safe and suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 or older?
Have you had your first heart attack recently (usually within the last two weeks)?
Can you lie flat for scans?
Do you have a healthy kidney function (or no serious kidney disease)?
Are you able to agree to take part and understand the study?
Are you not currently taking high doses of steroids?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the RIPPLE study, you will have several assessments over time. These will include a special type of PET scan (called a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scan), a CT scan of your heart arteries, and a heart MRI scan. These scans help us see the inflammation and changes in your blood vessels.

You will need to visit the study centre for these scans and follow-up appointments. The exact number of visits and the total time you'll be involved in the study will be explained in detail by the study team. You will not be given new medication as part of this study; it focuses on imaging and observation. The study team will track your health over a longer period to see how things develop.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that you'll receive detailed heart scans, which could give you and your doctors a deeper understanding of your heart's health. While the study itself doesn't directly offer a new treatment, the knowledge gained could lead to better ways to prevent future heart problems for others. Possible risks include discomfort during scans, exposure to a small amount of radiation from PET and CT scans (similar to what you'd get from other medical tests), and potential reactions to contrast dyes used in some scans. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Cambridge
Verified postcode
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'inflammation' in my blood vessels?

Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection. In blood vessels, it can contribute to fatty plaques growing or breaking, which can cause heart attacks. We're looking at inflammation that might remain after a heart attack.

Will this study give me new medication or treatment?

No, this study is about observation and understanding. You will not be given any new medications or treatments as part of your participation. Your ongoing medical care will continue as usual.

Are the scans safe?

Yes, the scans used (PET, CT, MRI) are standard medical procedures. There's a small amount of radiation from the PET and CT scans, but it's comparable to what you might get from other common medical tests. The study team will explain all the details and any potential side effects.

How long will I be in the study?

The total duration of your participation, including follow-up, will be explained fully by the study team. It involves visits for special scans and ongoing health monitoring over a period of time.

What if I change my mind about participating?

You are free to leave the study at any point, for any reason, without it affecting your current or future medical care. Your decision will be respected.