The Euro-CRAFT Registry
The Euro-CRAFT Registry is an international study tracking how doctors assess very small blood vessels in the heart, a condition called Coronary Microvascular Disease. This disease can cause chest pain even when the main heart arteries appear healthy. Researchers are using a special method called 'continuous thermodilution technique' to measure how well these tiny vessels are working. Participants will complete questionnaires about their chest pain and overall quality of life at the start, after six months, and after one year. Doctors will also check on their health for up to five years. The goal is to better understand and manage this type of heart condition and improve how patients feel.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine your heart has a network of roads, with big highways and tiny small streets. Sometimes, the big highways are clear, but the small streets (called microvessels) might not be working properly. This can still cause chest pain, even if scans show your main heart arteries are fine. This condition is called Coronary Microvascular Disease.
The Euro-CRAFT Registry is like a big international information gathering project. Doctors from many different places will be sharing information from patients who are having these tiny heart vessels checked. They're using a special test that helps them understand how well these very small blood vessels are working inside the heart. This helps them better understand why some people have chest pain even when their main arteries are healthy.
By collecting this information, the researchers hope to learn more about Coronary Microvascular Disease, how it affects people, and how different ways of checking these vessels can help doctors treat patients better in the future. It's about finding better ways to help people who experience this kind of chest pain.
Key takeaways
- Study looks at tiny heart blood vessels (microvessels).
- Aims to understand and improve care for chest pain when main arteries are clear.
- No new drugs or devices. Gathers information from standard care.
- Involves questionnaires about chest pain and quality of life.
- Follow-up lasts at least one year, potentially up to five years.
- You can stop participating at any time without affecting your medical care.
Who may be eligible?
To be part of this study, you need to be at least 18 years old. Generally, the study is for people who have chest pain, which doctors suspect might be from a heart problem, but tests show their main heart arteries are not blocked (less than 50% blockage). Your doctor might also consider you for the study if they need to check your heart's tiny blood vessels for other medical reasons, even if you're experiencing a sudden, serious heart problem.
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?
- Do you experience chest pain that your doctor suspects is heart-related, but your main heart arteries aren't significantly blocked?
- Are you able to agree to take part in the study?
- Have you *not* had previous bypass surgery (CABG)?
- Do you *not* have severe kidney or liver problems?
- Are you *not* already in another medical study using an experimental drug or device?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, doctors will assess the function of your heart's tiny blood vessels. You will be asked to fill out questionnaires about your chest pain and your quality of life when you start the study, again after six months, and then once more after a year. Doctors will also continue to check on your general health for one year, with an option to extend this to up to five years. There are no new medications or devices being tested; it's focused on gathering information about how doctors currently assess a specific heart condition.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (19)
- OLV Ziekenhuis AalstVerified postcodeAalst, Belgium
- RighospitaletVerified postcodeCopenhagen, Denmark
- University of MainzVerified postcodeMainz, Germany
- Catharina HospitalVerified postcodeEindhoven, Netherlands
- Radboud HospitalVerified postcodeNijmegen, Netherlands
- Maasstad ZiekenhuisVerified postcodeRotterdam, Netherlands
- University Clinical Center of Serbia, University of BelgradeVerified postcodeBelgrade, Serbia
- University Hospital Puerta del MarVerified postcodeCadiz, Spain
- Clinica La PrincesaVerified postcodeMadrid, Spain
- San Carlos HospitalVerified postcodeMadrid, Spain
- University Hospital LausanneVerified postcodeLausanne, Switzerland
- Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeBath, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is Coronary Microvascular Disease?
It's a condition where the very small blood vessels in your heart don't work properly, which can cause chest pain even if your main heart arteries are clear.
What does 'continuous thermodilution technique' mean?
It's a special medical test doctors use to measure how well blood is flowing through the tiny vessels in your heart, helping them understand their function.
Will I take new medication in this study?
No, this is a 'registry' study, meaning it collects information from standard medical care. You won't be given any experimental drugs or devices.
How long will I be in the study?
You'll fill out questionnaires at the start, 6 months, and 1 year. Your health will be followed for at least one year, and possibly up to five years.
Can I leave the study if I want to?
Yes, you can choose to stop participating in the study at any time, and it will not affect your medical care.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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