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in Heart, Innovation, Research

Leeds enrolls first UK participant in global trial for improved coronary artery disease treatment

Leeds has enjoyed the distinction of becoming the first site to recruit participants for an international trial looking at an enhanced treatment for coronary artery disease.

An electronically made image of red blood cells travelling in a blood vessel

The IMPROVE study, conducted internationally across multiple centres, aims to determine if using extra ultrasound imaging during heart procedures can enhance patient outcomes.

An image of the team with 3 of the team wearing medical scrubs and uniforms stood with a piece of medical monitoring equipment.

The study is examining whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a non-surgical procedure that uses a stent to treat narrowing of the coronary arteries, can be improved with the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Primary investigator Dr Abdul Mozid said, “We are very proud to have been the first UK site to recruit to this major international study which will hopefully definitively answer a very important question in the field of coronary angioplasty and stenting. This could impact the way we perform our procedures and improve clinical outcomes for patients.

IVUS uses a specially designed catheter with a small ultrasound probe attached to one end to provide imaging to guide the clinical team working with patients. The IMPROVE study looks to assess if this approach is effective in reducing further episodes of coronary heart events. This significant research is led by the esteemed MedStar Cardiovascular Research Network based in Washington, USA.

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