CTCA Prior to Invasive Angiography in Post-Bypass Patients (BYPASS CTCA 2)
This study is for people who have had heart bypass surgery and are experiencing new or returning chest pain or a heart attack. Researchers want to see if using a special heart scan called a CTCA (Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography) before an invasive heart investigation (angiography) can improve their care. They will compare outcomes for patients who have this CTCA-guided approach with those who go straight to the standard investigation. The aim is to find out if CTCA can reduce serious heart problems like further heart attacks or strokes, lower hospital stays, and improve overall quality of life, while also being safer and more cost-effective.
At a glance
What is this study about?
If you've had heart bypass surgery, you might sometimes experience chest pain or even another heart attack because of new blockages or problems with your bypass grafts. When this happens, doctors usually suggest a procedure called an invasive coronary angiography to look inside your heart's arteries and grafts. While this is a common and important test, it can be a bit more complicated for people who have had bypass surgery, sometimes taking longer and involving more radiation or special fluid.
Now, there's another type of scan called a Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA). This is a non-invasive scan, meaning it doesn't involve putting tubes or wires into your body. This study wants to find out if having a CTCA scan first could help doctors make better decisions, potentially reducing the need for some people to have the more invasive angiography, or making the invasive one safer if it is still needed. They hope this could lead to fewer serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, or hospital stays.
The main idea is to see if a CTCA-guided approach can be better than the usual way of doing things. Researchers will compare patients who get the CTCA first to those who just have the standard angiography. They'll be looking to see if CTCA can improve health outcomes, make procedures safer, be good value for money, and improve how well people feel in their daily lives.
Key takeaways
- This study compares a new heart scan (CTCA) with standard heart tests for bypass patients.
- It aims to see if CTCA can lead to fewer heart problems, safer procedures, and better quality of life.
- You would be randomly assigned to either the CTCA-first group or the standard-test group.
- Participation involves heart imaging, follow-up checks, and filling out questionnaires.
- The study wants to find a better and safer way to manage heart issues after bypass surgery.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have previously had heart bypass surgery. You would need to be experiencing symptoms that would normally lead your doctor to suggest a heart scan, such as chest pain (angina), signs of heart strain on other tests, or having a recent heart attack.
There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you're having a very specific type of heart attack (called a STEMI) where urgent treatment is needed straight away. Also, if a member of the research team believes for medical reasons that participating wouldn't be safe for you, or if you couldn't commit to all the study appointments and tasks.
Finally, if your doctor believes you have less than a year to live due to other serious health conditions, this study might not be suitable for you.
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.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you had heart bypass surgery before?
- Are you currently having symptoms (like chest pain) for which your doctor would normally suggest a heart scan?
- Are you able and willing to attend all study appointments and complete questionnaires?
- Do you have a life expectancy of at least one year?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you would be randomly put into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will have the special CTCA scan before any invasive heart investigation. The other group will go straight to the standard invasive heart investigation as they normally would. Both groups will have heart scans and various health checks over time. You would also be asked to fill out questionnaires about your quality of life and how you use healthcare services to help us understand the impact of your treatment. The study will involve several appointments over a period of time to collect all the necessary information.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- St Bartholomew's HospitalVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is CTCA?
CTCA is a special X-ray scan that takes detailed pictures of your heart's arteries and any bypass grafts to check for blockages or problems.
What is an invasive angiography?
This is a procedure where a thin tube is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in your arm or groin, and guided to your heart. Dye is injected to show your arteries on X-ray.
Why is this study needed for bypass patients?
It's often trickier to do standard angiography after bypass surgery. This study explores if CTCA can make diagnosis and treatment safer and more effective for you.
Will I know which treatment group I'm in?
Yes, you will be told whether you are in the group receiving CTCA first or the group receiving standard angiography.
What if my condition changes during the study?
Your medical team will always ensure you receive the most appropriate care for your health needs, regardless of the study.
How to find out more
Mervyn Andiapen
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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