Clinical trial NCT03193294: CORonary MICrovascular Angina (CorMicA)
Official title: CORonary MICrovascular Angina (CorMicA): a Randomised, Controlled, Pilot Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Angina, Stable
Coronary Vasospasm
Coronary Circulation
Coronary Syndrome
Microvascular Angina
Coronary Disease
Lead sponsor: NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: British Heart Foundation
First posted: 2017-06-20
Enrollment: 151
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: Randomized, double-blind, parallel group, prospective
Primary purpose: DIAGNOSTIC

Brief summary: Angina is form of chest pain that is due to a lack of blood to the heart muscle. Angina is commonly triggered by stress and exertion, and is a common health problem worldwide. The diagnosis and treatment of angina is usually focused on detection of blockages in heart arteries, and relief of this problem with drugs, stents or bypass surgery. However, about one third of all invasive angiograms that are performed in patients with angina do not reveal any blockages. Many of such patients may have symptoms due to narrowings in the very small micro vessels (too small to be seen on an angiogram). The purpose of this research is to undertake a 'proof-of-concept' clinical trial to gather information as to whether routine tests of small vessel function in the heart might help identify patients with a stable coronary syndrome due to a disorder of coronary function (vasospastic or microvascular angina), and appropriately rule out this problem in patients with normal test results. The diagnostic strategy enables stratification of patient sub-groups to optimized therapy (personalised medicine). Evidence of patient benefits in this study would support the plan for a larger study that would be designed to impact on healthcare costs and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS).

Detailed description: Background: Patients with a stable coronary syndromes include those with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) or ischaemia with no obstructive CAD (INOCA). Disorders of coronary vasomotion leading to microvascular and vasospastic angina are debilitating, prognostically important health problems. Use of coronary function tests with thresholds (normal/abnormal) that are linked to evidence-based treatment (start/stop) could be useful to diagnose (rule-in/rule-out) these conditions, but, evidence is lacking.

Design: (1) A proof-of-concept, randomised controlled stratified medicine trial of a clinical strategy informed by invasive tests of coronary function and linked guideline-based treatment decisions vs. standard care using angiography only in 150 patients; (2) A nested observational imaging sub-study using quantitative stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). CONSORT guidelines will be followed.

Objectives: (1) To assess whether a diagnostic strategy involving tests of coronary function changes the diagnosis and treatment and improves health and economic outcomes; (2) To assess the diagnostic accuracy of novel MRI methods for abnormal perfusion due to microvascular disease.

Methods: Patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography for the investigation of known or suspected angina and who do not have either structural heart disease or a systemic health problem that would explain those symptoms will be invited to participate. Written informed consent is required for participation. Eligibility is further confirmed at the time of the coronary angiogram by exclusion of obstructive (\>50% stenosis, fractional flow reserve \<=0.80) coronary artery disease (CAD). After the angiogram, eligible participants will be randomised immediately in the catheter laboratory to test disclosure (intervention group) or measurement without disclosure (control group). Coronary function will be assessed using a diagnostic guidewire and intra-coronary infusions of acetylcholine (10-6M, 10-5M, -10-4M) and a bolus of glyceryl trinitrate (300 micrograms). The guidewire-derived parameters include fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR), index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and the resistance reserve ratio (RRR). Participants who are enrolled but not randomised will enter a follow-up registry. The endotypes (diagnostic strata) are: obstructive CAD, coronary vasospastic angina, microvascular angina, endothelial dysfunction (no angina), normal (non-cardiac, normal coronary function results, no angina). Thus, a diagnosis may be ruled-in or ruled-out based on the test results. Microvascular disease will be characterised as structural (abnormal IMR) and/or functional (abnormal CFR, RRR). Primary outcome: Between-group difference in Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores at 6 months; Secondary: Reclassification of the treatment decision; certainty of the diagnosis; health status (EQ-5D, Illness Perception, Treatment Satisfaction \& Patient Health questionnaires); angina medication and adherence; health economics; reference clinical decisions as evaluated by an independent expert panel of clinicians. Follow-up will continue in the longer term, including through electronic health record linkage.

Value: To our knowledge, the study is the first to assess the clinical value of invasive management guided by routine use of adjunctive tests of coronary function in appropriately selected patients. The study will provide new insights into disease mechanisms and provide pilot data to inform the rationale and design of a larger clinical trial. The CMR substudy will provide information on the diagnostic utility of quantitative non-invasive imaging methods in this patient population. Should our hypotheses be confirmed, the research will bring new knowledge with potential benefits to patients and healthcare providers.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

A clinically-indicated plan for invasive coronary angiography. Symptoms of angina or angina-equivalent (according to the Rose- and Seattle Angina questionnaires).

Exclusion Criteria:

A non-coronary indication for invasive angiography e.g. valve disease During the angiogram: obstructive disease evident in a main coronary artery (diameter \>2.5 mm), i.e. a coronary stenosis\>50% or a fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≤0.80 Lack of informed consent.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Health status (Seattle Angina Score)
timeFrame: 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Feasibility of the stratified medicine approach defined by protocol compliance as measured by deviations from the protocol.
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Procedure-related serious adverse events
timeFrame: Day 1 (index coronary angiogram procedure)
measure: Prevalence of endotypes
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Diagnostic utility of the diagnostic intervention
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Clinical utility of the stratified approach
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Cardiovascular risk factors
timeFrame: Day 1
measure: Anxiety and depression
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Treatment satisfaction
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Illness perception
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Health status EQ5D
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Health status (Seattle Angina Score)
timeFrame: Through study completion, 3 years
measure: Biomarkers
timeFrame: 36 months
measure: Health economics
timeFrame: 36 months
measure: Myocardial perfusion
timeFrame: 42 days
measure: Incidental findings
timeFrame: 42 days
measure: Myocardial tissue characterisation
timeFrame: 42 days
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Clydebank
country: United Kingdom
facility: Golden Jubilee National Hospital
state: Dunbartonshire
city: East Kilbride
country: United Kingdom
facility: Hairmyres Hospital
state: Lanarkshire
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Glasgow
name: Katriona Brooksbank, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Ford TJ, Ong P, Sechtem U, Beltrame J, Camici PG, Crea F, Kaski JC, Bairey Merz CN, Pepine CJ, Shimokawa H, Berry C; COVADIS Study Group. Assessment of Vascular Dysfunction in Patients Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Why, How, and When. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020 Aug 24;13(16):1847-1864. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2020.05.052.
citation: Ford TJ, Corcoran D, Sidik N, Oldroyd KG, Rocchiccioli P, McEntegart M, Berry C. MINOCA: Requirement for Definitive Diagnostic Work-Up. Heart Lung Circ. 2019 Feb;28(2):e4-e6. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2018.04.001. No abstract available.
citation: Collison D, Copt S, Mizukami T, Collet C, McLaren R, Didagelos M, Aetesam-Ur-Rahman M, McCartney P, Ford TJ, Lindsay M, Shaukat A, Rocchiccioli P, Brogan R, Watkins S, McEntegart M, Good R, Robertson K, O'Boyle P, Davie A, Khan A, Hood S, Eteiba H, Berry C, Oldroyd KG. Angina After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Patient and Procedural Predictors. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2023 Apr;16(4):e012511. doi: 10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.122.012511. Epub 2023 Mar 28.
citation: Rush CJ, Berry C, Oldroyd KG, Rocchiccioli JP, Lindsay MM, Touyz RM, Murphy CL, Ford TJ, Sidik N, McEntegart MB, Lang NN, Jhund PS, Campbell RT, McMurray JJV, Petrie MC. Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. JAMA Cardiol. 2021 Oct 1;6(10):1130-1143. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2021.1825.
citation: Kunadian V, Chieffo A, Camici PG, Berry C, Escaned J, Maas AHEM, Prescott E, Karam N, Appelman Y, Fraccaro C, Louise Buchanan G, Manzo-Silberman S, Al-Lamee R, Regar E, Lansky A, Abbott JD, Badimon L, Duncker DJ, Mehran R, Capodanno D, Baumbach A. An EAPCI Expert Consensus Document on Ischaemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries in Collaboration with European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology & Microcirculation Endorsed by Coronary Vasomotor Disorders International Study Group. Eur Heart J. 2020 Oct 1;41(37):3504-3520. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa503.
citation: Vrints C, Andreotti F, Koskinas KC, Rossello X, Adamo M, Ainslie J, Banning AP, Budaj A, Buechel RR, Chiariello GA, Chieffo A, Christodorescu RM, Deaton C, Doenst T, Jones HW, Kunadian V, Mehilli J, Milojevic M, Piek JJ, Pugliese F, Rubboli A, Semb AG, Senior R, Ten Berg JM, Van Belle E, Van Craenenbroeck EM, Vidal-Perez R, Winther S; ESC Scientific Document Group. 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2024 Sep 29;45(36):3415-3537. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae177. No abstract available.
citation: Cannon RO 3rd, Leon MB, Watson RM, Rosing DR, Epstein SE. Chest pain and "normal" coronary arteries--role of small coronary arteries. Am J Cardiol. 1985 Jan 25;55(3):50B-60B. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(85)90613-7.
citation: Cannon RO 3rd, Bonow RO, Bacharach SL, Green MV, Rosing DR, Leon MB, Watson RM, Epstein SE. Left ventricular dysfunction in patients with angina pectoris, normal epicardial coronary arteries, and abnormal vasodilator reserve. Circulation. 1985 Feb;71(2):218-26. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.71.2.218.
citation: Sax FL, Cannon RO 3rd, Hanson C, Epstein SE. Impaired forearm vasodilator reserve in patients with microvascular angina. Evidence of a generalized disorder of vascular function? N Engl J Med. 1987 Nov 26;317(22):1366-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198711263172202.
citation: Kaski JC, Elliott PM, Salomone O, Dickinson K, Gordon D, Hann C, Holt DW. Concentration of circulating plasma endothelin in patients with angina and normal coronary angiograms. Br Heart J. 1995 Dec;74(6):620-4. doi: 10.1136/hrt.74.6.620.
citation: Elliott PM, Krzyzowska-Dickinson K, Calvino R, Hann C, Kaski JC. Effect of oral aminophylline in patients with angina and normal coronary arteriograms (cardiac syndrome X). Heart. 1997 Jun;77(6):523-6. doi: 10.1136/hrt.77.6.523.
citation: Beltrame JF, Crea F, Kaski JC, Ogawa H, Ong P, Sechtem U, Shimokawa H, Bairey Merz CN; Coronary Vasomotion Disorders International Study Group (COVADIS). The Who, What, Why, When, How and Where of Vasospastic Angina. Circ J. 2016;80(2):289-98. doi: 10.1253/circj.CJ-15-1202. Epub 2015 Dec 18.
citation: Williams MC, Hunter A, Shah A, Assi V, Lewis S, Mangion K, Berry C, Boon NA, Clark E, Flather M, Forbes J, McLean S, Roditi G, van Beek EJ, Timmis AD, Newby DE; Scottish COmputed Tomography of the HEART (SCOT-HEART) Trial Investigators. Symptoms and quality of life in patients with suspected angina undergoing CT coronary angiography: a randomised controlled trial. Heart. 2017 Jul;103(13):995-1001. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2016-310129. Epub 2017 Feb 28.
citation: Ford TJ, Corcoran D, Berry C. Coronary artery disease: physiology and prognosis. Eur Heart J. 2017 Jul 1;38(25):1990-1992. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx226. No abstract available.
citation: Ford TJ, Berry C. Angina: contemporary diagnosis and management. Heart. 2020 Mar;106(5):387-398. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2018-314661. Epub 2020 Feb 12. No abstract available.
citation: Sidik NP, McEntegart M, Roditi G, Ford TJ, McDermott M, Morrow A, Byrne J, Adams J, Hargreaves A, Oldroyd KG, Stobo D, Wu O, Messow CM, McConnachie A, Berry C. Rationale and design of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Coronary Microvascular Function and CT Coronary Angiogram (CorCTCA) study. Am Heart J. 2020 Mar;221:48-59. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2019.11.015. Epub 2019 Dec 2.
citation: Ford TJ, Yii E, Sidik N, Good R, Rocchiccioli P, McEntegart M, Watkins S, Eteiba H, Shaukat A, Lindsay M, Robertson K, Hood S, McGeoch R, McDade R, McCartney P, Corcoran D, Collison D, Rush C, Stanley B, McConnachie A, Sattar N, Touyz RM, Oldroyd KG, Berry C. Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Prevalence and Correlates of Coronary Vasomotion Disorders. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2019 Dec;12(12):e008126. doi: 10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.119.008126. Epub 2019 Dec 13.
citation: Ford TJ, Stanley B, Sidik N, Good R, Rocchiccioli P, McEntegart M, Watkins S, Eteiba H, Shaukat A, Lindsay M, Robertson K, Hood S, McGeoch R, McDade R, Yii E, McCartney P, Corcoran D, Collison D, Rush C, Sattar N, McConnachie A, Touyz RM, Oldroyd KG, Berry C. 1-Year Outcomes of Angina Management Guided by Invasive Coronary Function Testing (CorMicA). JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020 Jan 13;13(1):33-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2019.11.001. Epub 2019 Nov 11.
citation: Ford TJ, Berry C. How to Diagnose and Manage Angina Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Lessons from the British Heart Foundation CorMicA Trial. Interv Cardiol. 2019 May 21;14(2):76-82. doi: 10.15420/icr.2019.04.R1. eCollection 2019 May.
citation: Corcoran D, Ford TJ, Hsu LY, Chiribiri A, Orchard V, Mangion K, McEntegart M, Rocchiccioli P, Watkins S, Good R, Brooksbank K, Padmanabhan S, Sattar N, McConnachie A, Oldroyd KG, Touyz RM, Arai A, Berry C. Rationale and design of the Coronary Microvascular Angina Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CorCMR) diagnostic study: the CorMicA CMR sub-study. Open Heart. 2018 Dec 30;5(2):e000924. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2018-000924. eCollection 2018.
citation: Ford TJ, Rocchiccioli P, Good R, McEntegart M, Eteiba H, Watkins S, Shaukat A, Lindsay M, Robertson K, Hood S, Yii E, Sidik N, Harvey A, Montezano AC, Beattie E, Haddow L, Oldroyd KG, Touyz RM, Berry C. Systemic microvascular dysfunction in microvascular and vasospastic angina. Eur Heart J. 2018 Dec 7;39(46):4086-4097. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy529.
citation: Ford TJ, Corcoran D, Padmanabhan S, Aman A, Rocchiccioli P, Good R, McEntegart M, Maguire JJ, Watkins S, Eteiba H, Shaukat A, Lindsay M, Robertson K, Hood S, McGeoch R, McDade R, Yii E, Sattar N, Hsu LY, Arai AE, Oldroyd KG, Touyz RM, Davenport AP, Berry C. Genetic dysregulation of endothelin-1 is implicated in coronary microvascular dysfunction. Eur Heart J. 2020 Sep 7;41(34):3239-3252. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz915.
citation: Ford TJ, Stanley B, Good R, Rocchiccioli P, McEntegart M, Watkins S, Eteiba H, Shaukat A, Lindsay M, Robertson K, Hood S, McGeoch R, McDade R, Yii E, Sidik N, McCartney P, Corcoran D, Collison D, Rush C, McConnachie A, Touyz RM, Oldroyd KG, Berry C. Stratified Medical Therapy Using Invasive Coronary Function Testing in Angina: The CorMicA Trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Dec 11;72(23 Pt A):2841-2855. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.09.006. Epub 2018 Sep 25.