Heart CT Imaging to Detect Early Coronary Artery Disease in First-Degree Relatives With High or L… (NCT06995183) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Heart CT Imaging to Detect Early Coronary Artery Disease in First-Degree Relatives With High or Low Lipoprotein(a) Identified Through Family Screening
Netherlands150 participantsStarted 2025-06
Plain-language summary
Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol that can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Many people are unaware they have high Lp(a), since it is not routinely measured and usually causes no symptoms on its own. However, elevated Lp(a) levels tend to run in families, meaning that close relatives of individuals with high Lp(a) are more likely to have it as well.
At Amsterdam UMC, family members of patients with high Lp(a) are invited for cascade screening, which includes testing for Lp(a) and other cardiovascular risk factors. From this screened group, a selection of individuals with either high or low Lp(a) levels are invited to participate in the IMAGE-LPA study.
In IMAGE-LPA, participants undergo a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, including blood tests and heart imaging using CT scans. Two types of scans are performed: (1) a calcium score scan to detect early calcium buildup in the heart's arteries (an early marker of atherosclerosis), and (2) coronary CT angiography to assess for plaque and narrowing in the coronary arteries.
The goal of the study is to compare individuals with high versus low Lp(a) identified through cascade screening, to determine whether high Lp(a) levels are associated with early signs of heart disease in this patient group.
The study does not involve any medications or invasive procedures. The findings may help clarify whether heart imaging can improve early detection in individuals with high Lp(a), and guide future strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease in families affected by this inherited risk factor.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
In order to be eligible to participate in this study in the elevated Lp(a) subgroup, a subject must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
* Man or woman ≥50 years of age;
* Lp(a) level ≥ 150 nmol/L;
* Identified as having elevated Lp(a) through Lp(a) family cascade screening at the Amsterdam UMC Vascular Medicine outpatient clinic;
* Able and willing to provide informed consent;
* Able to comply with study requirements.
In order to be eligible to participate in this study in the Low Lp(a) subgroup, a subject must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
* Man or woman ≥50 years of age;
* Lp(a) level \< 50 nmol/L;
* Identified as having elevated Lp(a) through Lp(a) family cascade screening at the Amsterdam UMC Vascular Medicine outpatient clinic;
* Able and willing to provide informed consent;
* Able to comply with study requirements.
A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study (both subgroups):
* Renal insufficiency, defined as eGFR \< 30 ml/min
* History of ASCVD (acute coronary syndrome, history of myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris or coronary or other arterial revascularization, stroke, transient ischemic attack or peripheral artery disease including aortic aneurysm, all of atherosclerotic origin)
* History of atrial fibrillation
* Prior and current use of statins
* Any other treatment or clinically relevant condition that could interfere with the conduct or interpre…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Number of Participants with Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Detected on CCTA