The PIONEER-IV Study is Comparing Clinical Outcomes Between Angiography-derived Physiology Guidance to Usual Care in an All-comers PCI Population With Unrestrictive Use of the HT Supreme Sirolimus-eluting Stent

To join this study, you must have coronary artery disease, which means you have narrowed heart arteries. You would also need at least one blockage that's 50% or more narrowed, and that blockage should be in an artery big enough (at least 2.25 mm wide) for a stent. You'll need to understand what the study involves and agree to take part by signing a consent form. You'll also need to be willing to come to all the follow-up appointments.

However, there are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are allergic to any of the medicines or materials used in the stents. You also can't participate if you plan to have a major operation within 12 months that would require you to stop taking blood-thinning medication. People with certain severe existing medical conditions that might shorten their life to less than 3 years, or those with a history of bleeding in the brain or active bleeding, are also not eligible.

If you join this study, you'll be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either the group receiving stent guidance using special imaging, or the group receiving usual care guidance. You won't know which group you're in, but your doctors will. After your stent procedure, you'll take two types of blood-thinning medication (aspirin and ticagrelor) for one month. After that, you'll take only ticagrelor for the next 11 months. At the one-year mark, your doctor will decide if you switch to just aspirin or continue with what they think is best. The study will involve regular check-ups and assessments to monitor your health and the success of the treatment. The exact number and timing of these follow-up visits will be explained to you in detail.