Clinical trials

Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), most commonly originating from the gastrointestinal tract, that may secrete bioactive substances such as serotonin. Persistent exposure to these mediators can lead to carcinoid syndrome and, in up to 50% of patients, carcinoid heart disease (CHD). CHD is characterized by fibrotic degeneration of cardiac valves, predominantly right-sided, resulting in progressive valvular dysfunction and a significant increase in mortality. The mechanisms underlying selective cardiac involvement and predictors of disease progression remain incompletely understood. In addition, optimal timing and selection of surgical versus transcatheter valve interventions, particularly in high-risk patients, require further clarification. This multicenter, retrospective observational registry aims to identify and characterize patients with carcinoid heart disease and at least moderate valvular involvement. CHD is defined by confirmed neuroendocrine tumor, echocardiographic evidence of ≥ moderate valvular disease with features of fibrosis, elevated NT-proBNP (\>260 ng/L), and histopathological confirmation when available. Approximately 100-120 consecutive patients will be enrolled over 12 months. Standardized data collection will include detailed echocardiographic assessment, demographic and clinical characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, tumor features, oncological treatment history, and cardiac management strategies. The primary objective is to describe the clinical profile and management of patients with CHD in a real-world multicenter setting. Secondary objectives include identifying factors associated with advanced valvular dysfunction and evaluating eligibility and outcomes of transcatheter valve therapies. The registry is expected to improve risk stratification and support clinical decision-making in carcinoid heart disease.

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO) in patients treated in contemporary clinical practice in Poland. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What are the rates of procedural success and periprocedural complications of CTO PCI in routine clinical practice? * How do CTO PCI strategies and techniques, intravascular imaging, different treatment strategies, and mechanical circulatory support affect clinical outcomes? * How do clinical outcomes differ among different patient subgroups? * Can artificial intelligence-based analysis predict clinical and quality-of-life outcomes after CTO PCI? Patients undergoing CTO PCI as part of their standard medical care will be prospectively enrolled in a national, multicenter registry, with clinical, procedural, and follow-up data collected to evaluate real-world outcomes.

The ADRENALINE trial has been designed as a multi-center, prospective randomized study to compare the procedural and periprocedural outcomes of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) versus retrograde strategy. Beyond the patient-oriented outcomes, the influence of the studied CTO PCI strategies on the stress levels among interventional cardiologists will be explored. The main questions it aims to answer are as follows: * What is the difference between ADR versus retrograde strategy with regard to total procedure time, the rates of successful guidewire crossing and periprocedural complications as well as stress levels experienced by interventional cardiologists? * Is retrograde approach associated with higher rates of myocardial injury/infarction based on cardiac troponin/cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as compared with ADR? Participants will undergo pre- and postprocedural laboratory testing (cardiac troponin, CK-MB), CMR for late gadolinium enhancement and health status assessment. Subjects undergoing successful CTO PCI using antegrade wiring strategy will be included in the observational arm.

The IMAGINATION trial is an investigator-initiated, prospective, single-center study of symptomatic patients with a native chronic total occlusion (CTO) undergoing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug-coated balloon (DCB). Post-PCI IVUS and fractional flow reserve (FFR) at baseline and at 6-months follow-up will be performed. In addition, patients included in the coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) substudy will undergo CCTA at 12-months follow-up. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DCB-only approach in native coronary CTO.

The purpose of the study is to compare the anti-atherosclerotic efficacy of oral treatment with a GLP-1 analogue (semaglutide) or an SGLT-2 (so-called "flozin") inhibitor (dapagliflozin) versus routine treatment (metformin) in patients with pre-diabetes and diagnosed coronary artery disease at 24 months. The diagnosis of coronary artery disease will be defined as the presence of coronary atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary artery computed tomography (coronary CT). The study will evaluate the effect of treatment with flozin vs. semaglutide compared to treatment with metformin on the progression/regression of coronary atherosclerosis, change in plaque character, and control of cardiovascular risk factors.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by the investigators for identifying severe low-gradient aortic valve stenosis. Accurate assessment of stenosis severity is crucial for proper qualification for surgical treatment. It is expected that the use of AI will improve diagnostic accuracy and thereby support better clinical outcomes. Patients with suspected significant low-gradient aortic stenosis will be enrolled. The study is observational and involves no additional risk for participants. Standard imaging studies performed for clinical indications will be additionally analyzed by the AI model, which will classify aortic stenosis as severe or moderate. The model's results will not influence the clinical management of participants but will be compared with physicians' assessments to validate its diagnostic performance. The study will be conducted in 2025-2026. The findings will provide insights into the usefulness of AI in the diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis and may contribute to the development of advanced clinical decision-support tools.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of heated versus combustion tobacco products on progression of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD unable(unwilling) to quit smoking. Rationale: Despite the efforts to curb smoking and full awareness of its deleterious health impact, smoking remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Some health impact of smoking may be improved by other forms of cigarettes than traditional combustion, especially for subjects unwilling or unable to stop smoking. As recently as 2020, one of heated tobacco products (HTP)(IQOS) was FDA Authorized as a 'Reduced Exposure' product. The available evidence to date allows to conclude that the IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it, which significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduced body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. There is also evidence indicating lower levels of inflammatory markers and improved vascular function associated with use of heated tobacco products. However, it is unknown whether the reduction in the exposure translates into potential reduction of harm within cardiovascular system, as compared to the traditional (combustion) cigarettes. The evidence is of crucial importance for patients with cardiovascular diseases, medical community, and national health authorities planning evidence based policies regarding HTP/cigarettes.

SAFE-LAAC CKD Trial has been designed to gather data on the most optimal strategy of antiplatelet therapy after transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion with Amplatzer or WATCHMAN device in patients with the end-stage renal disease treated with chronic haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis

SAFE-LAAC Trial has been designed to gather data on the most optimal strategy of antiplatelet therapy after transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion with Amplatzer or WATCHMAN device