Leicester has been recognised as one of the top recruiting sites to a major national study aiming to improve outcomes for people with life‑threatening blocked leg arteries.
Blocked leg arteries, often caused by diabetes or smoking, can lead to severe complications including amputation or death if untreated. After angioplasty, patients are prescribed blood‑thinning drugs to keep arteries open and reduce the risk of further blockages. However, evidence is currently unclear on which treatment, or combination, offers the greatest protection.
The CLARITY PAD trial, led in Leicester by Mr Badri Vijaynagar, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon, is part of a national collaboration with the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University and the University of Bristol.
The £2.5 million NIHR‑funded study is the largest of its kind in the UK and will recruit more than 1,200 participants across 20 to 30 hospitals. It is comparing three commonly used approaches: clopidogrel alone, aspirin plus clopidogrel, and aspirin plus rivaroxaban.
Participants are being monitored for up to three years to understand which regimen best prevents complications and improves long‑term outcomes.
Since recruitment began in January 2025, Leicester rapidly became one of the highest‑recruiting centres in the country. This achievement reflects the dedication of local clinical teams and Leicester’s strong national reputation in cardiovascular and vascular research.
Congratulations to the whole research team, who form part of the NIHR Leicester BRC’s Cardiovascular theme.
For more information, visit www.claritypadtrial.co.uk or email CLARITY-Trial@cardiff.ac.uk.