RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Correlation of FFR CT With Invasive FFR in Multi-ethnic Cohort- a Retrospective Study

This study is investigating how accurate a special type of heart scan, called FFR CT, is at diagnosing coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is when the blood vessels supplying your heart become narrowed or blocked. Currently, an invasive procedure called FFR is often used, but FFR CT is a newer, non-invasive scan. Researchers are looking back at existing patient information from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust between 2019 and 2023. They will compare the results of FFR CT with those from invasive FFR in people who had both tests. The goal is to see if FFR CT can reliably help doctors decide on the best treatment without always needing the more invasive test. This could mean fewer risks for patients and potentially lower costs for the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

500

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Coronary Artery Disease

What is this study about?

Imagine your heart is like a house, and the coronary arteries are the pipes that bring water (blood) to keep it running. Sometimes, these pipes can get narrowed or blocked, which is called coronary artery disease. Doctors need to understand how severe these blockages are to decide on the best treatment.

Currently, one very accurate way to check how well blood is flowing through these pipes is an 'invasive' test called FFR. 'Invasive' means it involves a small procedure where a thin tube is put into your blood vessels. However, there's a newer, 'non-invasive' scan called FFR CT. 'Non-invasive' means it's just a scan from outside your body, like a special X-ray. This study is looking at existing patient records to see how well the FFR CT scan compares to the invasive FFR test.

The main aim is to find out if the FFR CT scan is accurate enough to help doctors make decisions without always needing the invasive FFR test. If it is accurate, it could mean fewer patients need to undergo invasive procedures, which carries fewer risks and can be more comfortable for patients. It could also help the NHS manage healthcare costs. The study will also look at whether these tests work equally well for people from different ethnic backgrounds, which is important for providing fair and effective care to everyone.

Key takeaways

The study compares a non-invasive heart scan (FFR CT) with an invasive heart test (FFR).
It uses existing, anonymous patient records from 2019-2023.
The goal is to see if FFR CT is accurate enough to reduce the need for invasive procedures.
If successful, it could mean safer and more comfortable diagnosis for future patients.
The study also aims to understand how these tests work for different ethnic groups.

Who may be eligible?

To be included in this study, you would have needed to be at least 18 years old and have been treated for stable chest pain. This means your chest pain wasn't a sudden, emergency situation. You would also have had all three specific tests done at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023: a CTCA scan, an FFR CT scan, and an invasive FFR procedure.

Finally, the quality of your CTCA scan images would need to be very clear, allowing doctors to see your coronary arteries without any blurriness or issues that make them hard to interpret.

You would not be included if you were under 18, didn't have the FFR CT scan, or if your CTCA scan images were not clear enough for the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Were you aged 18 or over?
Did you have stable chest pain (not an emergency)?
Did you have a CTCA, FFR CT, AND an invasive FFR at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust?
Were all these tests done between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Since this is a 'retrospective' study, it means researchers are looking back at existing information and records. If you were a patient who had these tests between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, your anonymous data might be included. You would not need to do anything new for this study – no extra visits, assessments, medication, or follow-up. Your part in the study would involve allowing researchers to look at your existing, anonymous medical records and scan results.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study uses anonymous existing patient data, there are no direct risks or benefits to you as an individual patient. Your identity will be protected, and no new procedures or treatments are involved. The potential benefits are for future patients and the healthcare system: if FFR CT is found to be very accurate, it could lead to fewer people needing invasive tests, which would reduce associated risks and costs for others in the future. As this study is based on existing records, you do not need to do anything to participate, so there is no right to withdraw new consent, as consent was given for your tests at the time they were performed.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Birmingham, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is coronary artery disease?

It's a condition where the main blood vessels supplying your heart become narrowed or blocked, which can cause chest pain or other symptoms.

What is the difference between FFR CT and invasive FFR?

FFR CT is a non-invasive heart scan (like a special X-ray), while invasive FFR is a procedure where a small tube is inserted into your blood vessels to measure blood flow directly.

Will I have to do anything if my data is used?

No, this study uses existing, anonymous patient records. You won't need to have any extra tests, appointments, or do anything new.

Why is this study important?

It could help doctors decide if a non-invasive scan (FFR CT) can be used more often, potentially reducing the need for more invasive tests, which have more risks.

Who is running this study?

This study is being conducted by researchers looking at patient data from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

How to find out more

Vinoda Sharma, FRCP FESC FRCPE

vinodasharma@nhs.net 0044 1215075841 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.