Investigating the Effects of Dietary Nitrate on Vascular Function, Platelet Reactivity and Restenosis in Stable Angina

The mainstay treatment for reducing the symptoms of angina and long-term risk of heart attacks in patients with heart disease is stent implantation in the diseased coronary artery. Whilst this procedure has revolutionised treatment the incidence of secondary events remains a concern. These repeat events are due in part to continued enhanced platelet reactivity, endothelial dysfunction and a phenomenon called 'restenosis' i.e. the stent becomes blocked ultimately requiring another expensive and risky procedure. In this study it will be determined whether a once daily inorganic nitrate administration might favourably modulate platelet reactivity and endothelial function leading to a decrease in restenosis.

To address the aims a proof-of-concept study will be conducted to ascertain whether a dietary nitrate approach might prove useful adjunctive therapy improving vascular function in patients with stable angina post elective angioplasty.

Design: A prospective randomised, single-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Setting: Patients with stable angina and single/multiple coronary artery stenosis undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who are haemodynamically stable (systolic BP\>100 mmHg). These patients will be recruited at The Barts Health Heart Centre, based at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. This is one of the biggest centres in the United Kingdom, serving a population of almost two million people from The City of London and The North East up to the M25 and is a 24/7 centre performing approximately 2000 non-primary angioplasties a year.

The study will take place in the Clinical Trials Unit, William Harvey Heart Centre.

Target population: A total of 300 patients (male and female, age 18-85) with stable angina as per requirements indicated above. Follow-up will take place in the Clinical Trials Unit, William Harvey Research Institute.

Treatment: Patients will be randomised (using an on line randomisation database) to receive 70 ml of a beetroot juice concentrate containing 4-5 mmol nitrate or nitrate-deplete placebo juice concentrate. This intervention will be taken by the patient daily from one day prior to re-establishment of flow with PCI and stent implantation.

Analysis: We will analyse the results based on an intention to treat analysis. We will also carry out further per protocol analyses and a subgroup analysis on patients who are on organic nitrates as part of their routine therapy and a comparison of DES (drug-eluting stents) versus BMS (bare-metal stents).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with stable angina diagnosed by a cardiologist on optimal medical therapy undergoing angioplasty to treat residual symptoms.
2. Aged 18-85
3. Patients able and willing to give their written informed consent.
4. Patients undergoing successful PCI procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unstable ischaemic heart disease, with an episode of chest pain in less than 24 hours.
2. Patients who have had previous coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), if they are undergoing angioplasty within a non-native vessel.
3. Patients undergoing angioplasty with a bio-absorbable stent.
4. Current diagnosis of or treatment for malignancy, other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
5. Current life-threatening condition other than vascular disease that may prevent a subject completing the study.
6. Use of an investigational device or investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is the longer) preceding the first dose of study medication.
7. Patients considered unsuitable to participate by the research team (e.g., due to medical reasons, laboratory abnormalities, or subject's unwillingness to comply with all study related procedures).
8. Severe acute infection, or significant trauma (burns, fractures).
9. Pregnancy. This will be tested by urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement
10. History of alcohol or drug abuse within the past 6 months.
11. A history of heart failure New York Heart Association (NYHA) class 3-4 or severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction of \<30%) regardless of symptom status.
12. Systemic autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease, or other conditions known to be associated with chronic inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease.
13. Patients who have donated \> 500mls blood within 56 days prior to study medication administration.
14. Anaemia with Hb \<10g/dl, or any other known blood disorder or significant illness that may affect platelet function, and coagulation.
15. A history of chronic viral hepatitis (including presence of hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C antibody or other chronic hepatic disorder) or HIV.
16. Abnormal liver function due to acute or chronic liver conditions 3 x upper limit of normal at screening.
17. Renal impairment with creatinine clearance (eGFR) of 35ml/min at screening.
18. If patients are on mouthwash, they must be willing to stop using this at least 1 week before the start of the study and throughout the duration that they are involved in the study.