RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The Value of Measuring Retinal Vascular Density by Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography (OCT-A) in Patients With Microvascular Angina Confirmed by Myocardial Microcirculatory Resistance Index (MRI).

This research is investigating a new, easy eye test to help diagnose a heart problem called microvascular angina (MVA). MVA causes chest pain and breathlessness because of issues with the tiny blood vessels in the heart, but these problems aren't seen on regular heart scans. Currently, diagnosing MVA often involves an invasive procedure where doctors measure resistance in the heart's small blood vessels (IMR test). Scientists have noticed that problems with the small blood vessels in the eye, which can be seen with a quick eye scan called OCT-A, might be linked to heart health. This study wants to see if the OCT-A eye scan can accurately identify MVA by comparing its results to the traditional IMR test. If successful, this could lead to a simpler, non-invasive way to diagnose MVA, making it easier for many more people.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon

Enrolment target

158

Start

13 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2027

Microvascular Angina

What is this study about?

Microvascular angina is a type of chest pain that happens when the tiny blood vessels in your heart don't work properly. It can make daily activities difficult because of symptoms like chest tightness or shortness of breath. The tricky part is that standard heart tests, like an angiography (which looks at the main heart arteries), usually appear normal because the problem lies in the much smaller vessels.

Currently, to properly diagnose microvascular angina, doctors often need to perform a more involved procedure called an IMR measurement during a heart catheterisation. This test directly measures how much resistance there is in the heart's tiny blood vessels. While effective, it's an invasive method, meaning it involves entering the body, and it's not always easily available.

This study is exploring a new idea: could a simple eye scan help diagnose microvascular angina without needing an invasive heart procedure? Researchers already know that issues with the tiny blood vessels in the eye can sometimes reflect problems in the body's cardiovascular system. They are using a quick and easy eye scan called OCT-A, which looks at the small blood vessels in the back of your eye. The goal is to see if problems seen in the eye's blood vessels on the OCT-A scan match up with the results from the more invasive IMR heart test. If a strong link is found, the OCT-A scan could become a valuable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing microvascular angina in the future.

Key takeaways

Exploring a new, simple eye test (OCT-A) for microvascular angina.
Microvascular angina is chest pain from tiny heart vessel issues, not visible on standard tests.
Current diagnosis often needs an invasive heart test (IMR).
Study hopes to find a non-invasive alternative through the eye scan.
Participation involves a non-invasive eye scan, a blood test, and a symptom questionnaire.
Results could make diagnosis easier and more widely available in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who are already being treated at Dijon University Hospital in France. You would have recently had a specific heart test called an IMR measurement, which is done during a coronary angiogram because you had chest pain or breathlessness, but your main heart arteries looked clear.

Before you can take part, you would need to give your verbal permission to be included in the study. You also need to be covered by a French social security plan, as this is a requirement for research conducted in France.

Some reasons you wouldn't be able to join include if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have certain eye conditions (like a serious problem with the back of your eye or very severe short-sightedness), or if you have certain types of heart muscle diseases that are not related to microvascular angina.

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 an adult being treated at Dijon University Hospital?
Did you recently have an IMR measurement for chest pain or breathlessness, with clear main heart arteries?
Do you have social security coverage in France?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you NOT have serious eye conditions or specific heart muscle diseases unrelated to microvascular angina?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you won't undergo any new, experimental procedures beyond your usual medical care. The main part of your involvement will be having a quick and simple eye scan called an OCT-A. This scan is non-invasive, meaning nothing enters your body, and it's similar to having a photograph taken of the back of your eye.

Researchers will also collect a small blood sample at the same time, which is a routine part of many medical check-ups. You will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your chest pain symptoms. The study will then follow your health for a total of 12 months, using information from your medical records. You won't need extra hospital visits just for the study, as your participation is mostly based on routine procedures and medical data review.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially help advance medical knowledge about microvascular angina, possibly leading to easier and less invasive diagnosis methods for future patients. For you, there are minimal risks as the eye scan is non-invasive and blood sampling is a routine procedure. The main benefit to you might not be direct but could come from contributing to important research. You also have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

CHU Dijon Bourgogne
Verified postcode
Dijon, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is microvascular angina?

It's chest pain caused by problems with the tiny blood vessels in your heart, even when your main heart arteries are clear.

Why is this study important?

It aims to find a simpler, non-invasive way to diagnose microvascular angina, which is currently hard to spot with regular tests.

What is an OCT-A eye scan?

It's a quick, harmless scan that takes detailed pictures of the tiny blood vessels at the back of your eye.

Will I have to take new medication?

No, this study does not involve any new medications. You will continue with your usual treatments.

How long will I be involved in the study?

The study will follow your health for 12 months, using information from your medical records.

How to find out more

Pierre GUILLEMINOT

pierre.guilleminot@chu-dijon.fr 0380293031 Official trial record

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