Integrating genetic and imaging information to enhance cardiovascular risk stratification: rationale and design of the CVRISK-IT randomized controlled trial

AIMS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current guidelines recommend algorithms to estimate 10-year CVD risk in apparently healthy individuals, but their precision remains limited. Whether the integration of imaging and genetic information can improve individual risk stratification remains uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: The CVRISK-IT trial is a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled study designed to enhance CVD prevention through precision-based risk assessment and targeted communication strategies. A total of 30 000 adults aged 40-80 years without previous CVD or diabetes are recruited across Italy. In Phase I, participants undergo a baseline assessment including clinical examination, blood sampling, and calculation of CVD risk. Approximately 12 000 eligible enter Phase II and are randomized equally into four intervention arms: (i) standard care (control), (ii) imaging-based risk refinement (coronary artery calcium score or carotid ultrasound), (iii) polygenic risk score (PRS), or (iv) combination of imaging and PRS. The co-primary endpoints are differences in estimated 10-year CVD risk at 12 months and the incidence of major CVD events, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality at 5 years. Secondary endpoints include differences in CVD risk factors, prescription and adherence to preventive drug adherence, and behavioural or psychological measures. CONCLUSION: By prospectively evaluating the feasibility and impact of incorporating genetic and imaging information in CVD risk stratification, CVRISK-IT will generate robust evidence to inform its integration into routine screening practices and public health policy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06832644.