Reduce plaque already present in the arteries. This is the revolutionary approach underlying a study that will test the “apolipoprotein apoA-I”, a sort of “sponge” able to absorb the lipids with which it comes into contact, managing to detach them from the atherosclerotic plaque.
Promoted byHarvard Medical School di Bostonthe Aegis-II study (ApoA-I Event Reducing in Ischemic Syndromes II) aims to recruit approximately 20,000 subjects through 1,035 centers around the world, including the Irccs MultiMedica of Sesto San Giovanni which enrolled its first patient.
The Phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial will test the efficacy and safety of apolipoprotein in patients with acute coronary syndromes, such as myocardial infarction.
«Specifically, the primary objective of the work is see if this treatment can reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events in the first 90 days after the heart attack, the period of greatest vulnerability. In Italy, in fact, there are about 130,000 heart attack patients every year and 20% undergo a new event within 12 months “, says Roberto Pedretti, director of the Cardiovascular department of MultiMedica who applied the research protocol in the first patient enrolled by ‘Institute.
“The patient was discharged and returned home in excellent condition – continues Pedretti – She had been hospitalized for a heart attack and, in addition to all the usual treatments, she was the first patient to enter this study on apolipoprotein apoA-I , whose protocol provides for 4 intravenous infusions over a few weeks and a follow-up of one year. The woman will now be followed up periodically by our Center, to monitor clinical progress after some time. Other heart attack patients can be treated by us with this highly innovative approach ».