Blood Markers for Inflammation and Coronary Artery Vasoreactivity Testing in Patients With Chest Pain and Normal Coronary Arteries (ACOVA)

February 22, 2011 updated by: St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

Correlation Between Abnormal Coronary Vasoreactivity Testing, Expansion of CD4+CD28null T Cells and Biomarkers for Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Angina Despite Angiographically Normal Coronary Arteries.

The investigators are hoping to discover the cause of chest pain in patients with a normal coronary arteriogram. For patients with chest pain coronary angiography is the standard method by which the blood vessels of the heart can be visualized and any narrowing can be assessed. In some cases the investigators find totally normal coronary blood vessels or only minor disease. Such a finding is associated with an excellent long term prognosis. However, as a large proportion of patients with normal coronary arteries or mild coronary narrowings often continue to experience recurrent chest pains the investigators are interested in understanding the mechanisms responsible for this. The investigators hypothesise that in many cases, coronary artery spasms are responsible for the recurrent chest pains. These spasms usually respond to treatment with drugs known as vasodilators. The acetylcholine test (ACH-test) has been recommended by the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology as a diagnostic test. This test can reveal whether the coronary blood vessels have a tendency to go into spasm. The investigators plan in this study to carry out the test in patients who have chest pains suggestive of coronary narrowings but are found to have normal or only mildly narrowed coronary arteries on angiography. A positive test -indicating a tendency for spasm- may help guiding therapy with vasodilators, which are often very effective to prevent coronary spasms. The investigators would also like to take blood samples during the test (before and after) from every patient to measure blood markers and see if there is a relation between these markers and the result of the ACH-test.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Unknown

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study comprises two parts:

  1. Blood sample
  2. ACH-test (including coronary flow measurements)

Blood will be taken, frozen and stored for up to 5 years. The following markers will be studied: C-reactive protein, E-selectin, neopterin, troponin and CD40 ligand. These are essential biochemical markers or so called pro-inflammatory substances that normally circulate in the blood but their levels can increase under certain conditions such as stress or inflammation. In addition, expansion of CD4+CD28null T-cells will be measured via flow cytometry.

Coronary angiography will be performed according to routine clinical guidelines. If the investigators find severe disease standard treatment procedures will take place and the investigators will only ask for a blood sample. If the investigators find normal coronary arteries on coronary angiography the investigators will conduct the ACH-test as part of the study. After injecting ACH into the coronary arteries narrowing can occur and provoke the same or similar symptoms as at home (i.e. chest pain). If you experience severe pain the investigators will inject a drug called nitroglycerine to relieve the pain. Then the investigators will measure the capacity of the blood vessels to dilate with a special catheter. The whole procedure including coronary angiography and ACH-test will last for about one hour. There is only very little radiation needed for the ACH-test which is unlikely to cause any health problems (~2.4mSv). In some very rare cases chest pain can be prolonged and heart rhythm disorders can occur. In worst case prolonged narrowing can lead to a heart attack (myocardial infarction, < 1%).

The result of the ACH-test can lead to 3 different results.

  1. Epicardial coronary spasm. This means that the narrowing of the blood vessel occurs in a place where it can be seen on the screen during angiography.
  2. Microvascular dysfunction This means that the narrowing of the blood vessel cannot be seen on the screen but on the ECG. It only affects the very small blood vessels of the heart.
  3. Normal ACH-test This means that the test is normal and the patient has no chest pain during the test and also no narrowing.

Depending on the result the investigators will suggest to start with a medication according to current guidelines and inform the patient's GP about the results and further suggestions for treatment. To maintain confidentiality all participants are entered onto our secure database using only their initials and a study number.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
50

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Peter E Ong, MD
  • Phone Number: 2628 +44208725
  • Email: pong@sgul.ac.uk

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
    • England
      • London, England, United Kingdom, SW17 0RE
        • Recruiting
        • Department of Cardiology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Peter E Ong, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

31 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults of either gender > 35 years of age with a stable pattern of angina pectoris suggestive of coronary artery disease, with positive responses to exercise stress testing AND/OR patients with chest pain and ischaemic ST-segment changes during pain (previous obstructive coronary artery disease with or without stent-implantation will be allowed).
  • Subjects will be invited to participate only if investigations have been undertaken to rule out non-cardiac causes for chest pain (i.e. oesophageal and musculoskeletal) previously.
  • Serum creatinine < 123.7µmol/L.
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Cardiomyopathy.
  • Severe valvular heart disease.
  • Myocardial infarction within the last 3 months.
  • Pregnant or lactating women.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: No endothelial dysfunction
Drug: Acetylcholine
Incremental doses of 2, 20 and 100 µg of ACH will be injected into the left coronary artery (LCA) via the diagnostic catheter for 3 minutes each. After that 80 µg of ACH will be injected into the right coronary artery. Coronary angiography will be performed after each 3 minute dose period. After the test or when intolerable chest pain due to coronary spasm occurs, 0.2 mg of glyceryltrinitrate will be injected into each vessel. During the test, heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will be monitored continuously.
Other Names:
  • Acetylcholine will be used from Miochol-E (Novartis)
Drug: Adenosine
Coronary blood flow velocity measurements will be performed in the mid segment of the left anterior descending artery with a 0.014-in intracoronary Doppler guidewire connected to the corresponding interface. Measurements will be obtained after the administration of nitroglycerin, at baseline and during maximal hyperaemia. Sustained intravenous administration of adenosine - an arteriolar vasodilator- will be used to induce maximal hyperaemia (140-180µg/kg/min).
Other: Endothelial Dysfunction
Definition of abnormal epicardial and microvascular vasoreactivity Abnormal epicardial vasoreactivity is defined as a reduction of the baseline coronary diameter ≥75% after glyceryltrinitrate i.c. together with a reproduction of the angina symptoms reported by the patient and/or ischemic ECG-changes. Abnormal microvascular vasoreactivity is defined as the reproduction of the angina symptoms together with ischaemic ECG-changes, but without changes in epicardial vasomotion.
Drug: Acetylcholine
Incremental doses of 2, 20 and 100 µg of ACH will be injected into the left coronary artery (LCA) via the diagnostic catheter for 3 minutes each. After that 80 µg of ACH will be injected into the right coronary artery. Coronary angiography will be performed after each 3 minute dose period. After the test or when intolerable chest pain due to coronary spasm occurs, 0.2 mg of glyceryltrinitrate will be injected into each vessel. During the test, heart rate, blood pressure and ECG will be monitored continuously.
Other Names:
  • Acetylcholine will be used from Miochol-E (Novartis)
Drug: Adenosine
Coronary blood flow velocity measurements will be performed in the mid segment of the left anterior descending artery with a 0.014-in intracoronary Doppler guidewire connected to the corresponding interface. Measurements will be obtained after the administration of nitroglycerin, at baseline and during maximal hyperaemia. Sustained intravenous administration of adenosine - an arteriolar vasodilator- will be used to induce maximal hyperaemia (140-180µg/kg/min).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Endothelial Dysfunction
Time Frame: Day 1 (day of study entry)

As this is not a follow-up study, the intracoronary vasoreactivity tests will be conducted at the day of study entry to assess which patient suffers from endothelial dysfunction. According to this result the patients will be divided into two groups (endothelial dysfunction and NO endothelial dysfunction).

Definition of endothelial dysfunction:

Vasoconstriction of >75% together with ischemic ECG changes and/or reproduction of angina OR ischemic ECG changes with reproduction of angina without vasoconstriction
Day 1 (day of study entry)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Juan C Kaski, MD, Department of Cardiology, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2011

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2011

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 13, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 14, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 15, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 23, 2011

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 22, 2011

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ACOVA-8

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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