Coronary Artery DiseasePhase 4WARRIORNCT03417388
Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events In Non-ObstRuctive CAD
A Phase 4 study testing High dose potent statin, ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan) and Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily in people with Coronary Artery Disease, run by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 81 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
The Ischemia-IMT (Ischemia-Intensive Medical Treatment Reduces Events in Women with Non-Obstructive CAD), subtitle: Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Non-Obstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded outcome evaluation (PROBE design) evaluating intensive statin/ACE-I (or… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Coronary Artery Disease
- What is being tested?
- High dose potent statin, ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan) and Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,476 participants
- Where
- 81 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 9 Feb 2018to 16 Apr 2027
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Signs and symptoms of suspected ischemia prompting referral for further evaluation by cardiac catheterization or coronary angiogram or coronary CT angiogram within 5 years from consent
- Willing to provide written informed consent
- Non-obstructive CAD defined as 0 to 49% diameter reduction of a major epicardial vessel or a FFR>0.80
Who cannot join
- History of noncompliance (with medical therapy, protocol, or follow-up)
- History of non-ischemic dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Documented acute coronary syndrome(ACS) within previous 30 days
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, New York Heart Association heart failure (NYHA HF) class III-IV, or hospitalization for Reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) within 180 days
- Stroke within previous 180 days or intracranial hemorrhage at any time
- End-stage renal disease, on dialysis, or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 ml/min.
Show all 12Show fewer
- Severe valvular disease or likely to require surgery/Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TVAR) within 3 years
- Life expectancy <3-yrs. due to non-cardiovascular comorbidity
- Enrolled in a competing clinical trial
- Prior intolerance to both an ACE-I and ARB
- If intolerant to a statin unless taking a PCSK9 as a statin replacement by their clinical provider
- Pregnancy (all pre-menopausal females must have negative urine pregnancy test if randomized to IMT before study drugs are prescribed. If they have not gone through menopause, had a hysterectomy, oophorectomy, or sterilization such as tubal ligation procedure)
Trial locations and contacts
81 sites in 2 countries.
81 sites in 2 countries
United States80 sites
Peak Clinical Trials, LLC
Apex, North Carolina, 27502
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322
Seton Heart Institute
Austin, Texas, 78705
Austin Heart
Austin, Texas, 78756
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20889
Western Kentucky Heart And Lung
Bowling Green, Kentucky, 42103
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, 60660
The Christ Hospital
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219
Trihealth Heart Institute
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45242
Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants Clinical Research
Clearwater, Florida, 33756
Bassett Healthcare Network
Cooperstown, New York, 13326
South Palm Cardiovascular Research Institute
Delray Beach, Florida, 33446
Essentia Institute of Rural Health
Duluth, Minnesota, 55805
Midwest Cardiovascular Research and Education Foundation
Elkhart, Indiana, 46514
Medicoricium
Fairview Heights, Illinois, 62208
Brooke Army Medical Center
Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 78234
Lutheran Health Physicians
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46804
Family Medicine at Eastside Community Practice
Gainesville, Florida, 32206
Family Medicine at Hampton Oaks Medical Plaza (Adults and Peds)
Gainesville, Florida, 32607
Internal Medicine at Tower Hill
Gainesville, Florida, 32607
Family Medicine at Haile Plantation (Adults & Peds)
Gainesville, Florida, 32608
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
Gainesville, Florida, 32608
Cardiovascular Clinic at UF Health UF
Gainesville, Florida, 32610
Internal Medicine at UF Health Medical Plaza
Gainesville, Florida, 32610
Spring Hill Cardiology
Gainesville, Florida, 32610
Family Medicine at 4th Ave
Gainesville, Florida, 32611
Family Medicine at Old Town (Adults and Peds)
Gainesville, Florida, 32680
Dignity Health-Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
Gilbert, Arizona, 85297
Silver State Cardiology
Henderson, Nevada, 89052
Baptist Health
Jacksonville, Florida, 32207
University of Florida, Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, 32209
Naval Hospital Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, 32214
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, 32224
UF Primary Care at Lake City SW
Lake City, Florida, 32024
UF Primary Care at Lake City West
Lake City, Florida, 32024
The Research Group of Lexington, LLC
Lexington, Kentucky, 40503
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, 40506
University of Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
Los Angeles, California, 90048
UCLA Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90095
Charles H. Croft MDPA
Melbourne, Florida, 32901
Mid Michigan Health
Midland, Michigan, 48670
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55407
Cardiology Associates of Mobile, Inc.
Mobile, Alabama, 36608
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia, 26508
Daytona Heart Group
Multiple Locations, Florida, 32114
Southwest Florida Research Institute
Naples, Florida, 34102
NYU Langone
New York, New York, 10016
Weil Medical college of Cornell
New York, New York, 10065
Cardiovascular Instititute of Central Florida
Ocala, Florida, 34471
Ocala Research Institute Inc.
Ocala, Florida, 34480
CHI Health Research Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68124
Orlando Health
Orlando, Florida, 32806
Midwest Heart and Vascular Specialists
Overland Park, Kansas, 66211
Naval Hospital Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida, 32512
Dignity Health-St. Joseph
Phoenix, Arizona, 85013
Pinehurst Medical Clinic
Pinehurst, North Carolina, 38274
Berkshire Medical Center
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 01201
Chippenham Hospital
Richmond, Virginia, 23225
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Richmond Hill, New York, 11418
The Valley Hospital
Ridgewood, New Jersey, 07450
Carilion Clinic
Roanoke, Virginia, 24017
San Antonio Endovascular and Heart Institute
San Antonio, Texas, 78258
Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida, 34239
Advent Sebring
Sebring, Florida, 33872
Heart House Research Foundation
Springfield, Ohio, 45505
James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
Tampa, Florida, 33612
AdventHealth Tampa - Pepin Heart Institute
Tampa, Florida, 33613
Interventional Cardiac Consultants
Tampa, Florida, 33613
BayCare Medical Group
Tampa, Florida, 33614
Baylor Scott and White
Temple, Texas, 76508
Cardiovascular Consultants of South Georgia, LLC.
Thomasville, Georgia, 31792
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, California, 90502
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona, 85721
Cardiology Associates Research, LLC
Tupelo, Mississippi, 38801
Cardiology Associates Research. LLC
Tupelo, Mississippi, 38801
Carle Foundation Hospital
Urbana, Illinois, 61801
Georgetown University
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20057
Guardian Research
Winter Park, Florida, 32792
Puerto Rico1 site
VA Caribbean Healthcare System
San Juan, San Juan, 00921
About this study
The Ischemia-IMT (Ischemia-Intensive Medical Treatment Reduces Events in Women with Non-Obstructive CAD), subtitle: Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Non-Obstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded outcome evaluation (PROBE design) evaluating intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB)/aspirin treatment (IMT) vs. usual care (UC) in 4,422 symptomatic women patients with symptoms and/or signs of ischemia but no obstructive CAD. The hypothesis is that IMT will reduce major adverse coronary events (MACE) 20% vs. UC. The primary outcome is first occurrence of MACE as death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or hospitalization for heart failure or angina. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, time to "return to duty"/work, health resource consumption, angina, cardiovascular (CV) death and primary outcome components. Events will be adjudicated by an experienced Clinical Events Committee (CEC). Follow-up was planned to be 3-years using 50 sites: primarily VA and Active Duty Military Hospitals/Clinics and a National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) clinical data research network (CDRN)(OneFlorida Consortium). The number of sites were increased and follow up was modified to continue until the last patient enrolled was followed until trial follow up was completed. Recruitment was complete January 6, 2024.
This study is being conducted to determine whether intensive medication treatment to modify risk factors and vascular function in women patients with coronary arteries showing no flow limit obstruction but with cardiac symptoms (i.e., chest pain, shortness of breath) will reduce the patient's likelihood of dying, having a heart attack, stroke/TIA or being hospitalized for cardiac reasons. The results will provide evidence data necessary to inform future guidelines regarding how best to treat this growing population of patients, and ultimately improve the patient's cardiac health and quality of life and reduce health-care costs.
Read the detailed description
WARRIOR trial is a multi-site, PROBE design, that will evaluate an intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB)/aspirin treatment strategy (IMT) vs. primary prevention risk factor therapy treatment strategy (UC) in 4,422 symptomatic (chronic angina or equivalent) women with non-obstructive CAD (<50% diameter narrowing).
There will be ~80 US sites, including VA/ military and OneFlorida CDRN sites, with a proven record in prior trials. The investigators will use web-based, real-time data entry, and management University of Florida Data Management System (UFDMS) for site selection, screening, participant eligibility confirmation, enrollment, and randomization. Participants will be recruited from screened women with symptoms suspected to be ischemic with non-obstructive CAD by invasive coronary angiogram or CT angiogram. The high dose statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) and ACE-I (lisinopril) [or ARB (losartan)] are generic commonly used medications previously demonstrated effective for improving angina, stress testing, myocardial perfusion and coronary microvascular flow reserve in small size trials in this population. Additionally, aspirin will also be recommended to IMT participants without contraindications or excess bleeding risk, however aspirin will not be provided by the study. Both the groups will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. Events will be adjudicated by the Clinical Events Committee (CEC), according to objective criteria and masked to treatment assignment clues.
- Conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Being tested
- High dose potent statin, ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan), Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily, Lifestyle Counseling, Quality of Life Questionnaires
- Keywords
- Coronary Angiography, Coronary CT Angiogram, Ischemia, Non-obstructive CAD
- Medical subject headings
- Coronary Artery Disease, Ischemia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High dose potent statinDrug
Also called atorvastatin or rosuvastatin
The IMT-assigned women will receive high-dose, potent statin (atorvastatin 40-80 mg/d or rosuvastatin 20-40mg) class of lipid-lowering medications.
ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan)Drug
Also called ACE-I or ARB
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely prescribed for primary hypertension.
Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet dailyDrug
Also called Aspirin
Will be recommended to IMT women without contraindications or bleeding risk.
Lifestyle CounselingBehavioural
Also called PACE Lifestyle Intervention
The PACE Lifestyle Assessment Intervention which is a program to assist with smoking cessation, weight loss, and exercise.
Quality of Life QuestionnairesBehavioural
Also called QOL
Quality of Life Questionnaires will be obtained.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) | Experimental | The IMT-assigned women will receive high dose potent statin, and moderate dose of an ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan). Aspirin will also be recommended to IMT women without contraindications or bleeding risk. This group will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), Quality of Life questionnaires, and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. Receives: Drug: High dose potent statin; Drug: ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan); Drug: Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily; Behavioral: Lifestyle Counseling; Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaires |
| Usual Care (UC) | Active comparator | The UC-assigned women will maintain standard of care. This group will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), Quality of Life questionnaires, and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. Receives: Behavioral: Quality of Life Questionnaires |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The primary outcome is MACE, defined as first occurrence of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalization for angina or HF.
All-cause death will be used 1) CV death is insensitive in this population with non-obstructive CAD since death is less likely attributed to CV causes when no obstructive CAD is present; 2) all-cause death is resistant to ascertainment bias in this unblinded trial. CV death will be defined broadly to include both definite CV death and possible CV death (all deaths except those with definite non-CV cause, e.g., cancer, witnessed trauma and homicide).
The MI definition follows universal criteria for Types 1-5 MI events. Stroke/TIA definition is new onset neurological defect of central origin confirmed by brain imaging (CT or MRI) evidence of cerebral infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage.
Hospitalization for angina- Any hospitalization for angina, plus unstable angina or ACS.
Hospitalization for Heart Failure -required established objective criteria for heart failure.
All MACE events are adjudicated by a blinded Clinical Endpoint Committee
Measured: Within 5 years
Secondary outcomes (12)
Components of MACE
The analysis will be repeated for the following combinations of MACE events (1) composite outcome of CV-death, non-fatal MI, or non-fatal stroke/TIA; (2) composite outcome CV-death, non-fatal MI, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or hospitalization for angina or heart failure; (3) all-cause mortality; (4) CV-death (5) total MI [fatal plus non-fatal]; (6) resuscitated cardiac arrest; (7) hospitalization for angina; (8) hospitalization for HF; (9) total stroke/TIA [fatal plus non- fatal]; (10) composite outcome of CV-death, non-fatal MI, stroke/TIA, resuscitated cardiac arrest, or hospitalization for angina or heart failure.
Measured: Within 5 years
Composite hierarchical MACE endpoint
The comparison of randomized treatment strategies for composite hierarchical endpoint will be conducted using win statistics (WS), including the win ratio (WR), win odds (WO), will be computed to compare two groups based on hierarchical order of clinical importance as follows: 1) all cause death within 5 yrs, 2) stroke within 5 yrs, 3) MI within 5 yrs, 4) number of hospitalization within 5 yrs, 5) first hospitalization for heart failure or chest pain within 5 yrs, and 6) average of SAQ7 at 6 months and 1-year. The WR method compares each patient in the intervention group with every patient in the control group, and the magnitude of the effect is computed as the ratio of the total number of pairwise "wins" to "losses" considering the predefined hierarchy of the outcomes. Since the WR does not account for ties that the WO will also be computed. The benefit of the IMT arm is indicated by an estimate of WS/WO test statistic with their respective 95% confidence intervals greater than 1.
Measured: Within 5 years
Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ).
QoL comparisons will adhere to the ITT principle. We will examine changes over time from baseline and identify the major determinants of those changes using regression analysis. Questionnaires, such as the SAQ scores, at each time point will be analyzed using linear mixed models with correlation within subjects over time. In case the outcome residuals do not have a normal distribution, a transformation will be considered (e.g. log, Box-Cox). Interaction of group and time effects will be examined to assess for different time trends between groups.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
EQ-5D-3L
Evaluated over time by group.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Duke Activity Status Inventory (DASI)
DASI as assessed over time by group.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Modified Morisky Medicine Scale Take your medication
Measure of medication compliance between groups over time.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
Assessment of healthy lifestyle intervention between groups over time.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PCL-5 (Screening for PTSD).
Screening for PTSD over time between groups
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Health care utilization and cost effectiveness
Comparing health care resource utilization across time between groups.
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
GAD 7
Assessment of general anxiety over time between groups
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PHQ 8
Assessment of depression over time between groups
Measured: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
MACE and Quality of Life outcomes will also be stratified by enrollment assessment of non-obstructive CAD using noninvasive CCTA vs invasive coronary angiography
MACE is first occurrence of all cause death, non fatal MI, non fatal stroke or TIA, hospitalization for heart failure, hospitalization for chest pain/angina. Quality of life is being assessed using Seattle Angina Questionnaire, SAQ7 and all of the SAQ domains, PTSD is being assessed using the PCL5, functional capacity is being assessed using the Duke Activity Status Index, EQ-5D-3L, Depression is being assessed using the PHQ-8 and anxiety using the GAD-7
Measured: Within 5 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jan 2018
- Study start9 Feb 2018
- Primary completion31 May 2024
- Study completion16 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Coronary Artery DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This will be a PROBE design, that will evaluate an intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB) plus ASA if tolerated, treatment strategy (IMT) vs. primary prevention risk factor therapy treatment strategy (UC) in symptomatic (chronic angina or equivalent) women with non-obstructive CAD.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 2,476 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- United States Department of Defense, University of Florida
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Noel Bairey Merz, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Investigators
- Carl J Pepine, MD, Principal investigator, University of FloridaC. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, Principal investigator, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03417388
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB201701142 -A
- Other IDs
- W81XWH-17-2-0030, OCR17268, IRB201802734, IRB201701434
- Acronym
- WARRIOR
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Jan 2018
- Last updated
- 30 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Pepine CJ, Handberg E, Cooper-DeHoff R, Cook-Wiens G, Diniz MA, Frayne S, Lo MC, Smith SM, Harris B, Wei J, Chaitman BR, Spertus JA, Berry C, Weintraub W, Bairey Merz CN. Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events In Non-ObstRuctive CAD (WARRIOR): a randomised controlled trial. Open Heart. 2026 Apr 3;13(1):e004115. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2026-004115.
PubMed 41932694Lakshmanan S, Wei J, Cook-Wiens G, Pepine CJ, Handberg EM, Shaw LJ, Budoff M, Merz CNB. Comparison of risk profiles of participants in the Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce events In non-ObstRuctive CAD (WARRIOR) trial, using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography vs Invasive Coronary Angiography. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2024 May-Jun;84:90-93. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.03.008. Epub 2024 Mar 26.
PubMed 38547955Ya'Qoub L, Elgendy IY, Pepine CJ. Non-obstructive Plaque and Treatment of INOCA: More to Be Learned. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2022 Sep;24(9):681-687. doi: 10.1007/s11883-022-01044-4. Epub 2022 Jul 4.
PubMed 35781776Handberg EM, Merz CNB, Cooper-Dehoff RM, Wei J, Conlon M, Lo MC, Boden W, Frayne SM, Villines T, Spertus JA, Weintraub W, O'Malley P, Chaitman B, Shaw LJ, Budoff M, Rogatko A, Pepine CJ. Rationale and design of the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial. Am Heart J. 2021 Jul;237:90-103. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2021.03.011. Epub 2021 Mar 18.
PubMed 33745898
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events In Non-ObstRuctive CAD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03417388
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- WARRIOR / IRB201701142 -A
- Conditions
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Keywords
- Coronary Angiography, Coronary CT Angiogram, Ischemia, Non-obstructive CAD
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 2,476 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- United States Department of Defense, University of Florida
- Study start
- 9 Feb 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 May 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Jan 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The Ischemia-IMT (Ischemia-Intensive Medical Treatment Reduces Events in Women with Non-Obstructive CAD), subtitle: Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Non-Obstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded outcome evaluation (PROBE design) evaluating intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB)/aspirin treatment (IMT) vs. usual care (UC) in 4,422 symptomatic women patients with symptoms and/or signs of ischemia but no obstructive CAD. The hypothesis is that IMT will reduce major adverse coronary events (MACE) 20% vs. UC. The primary outcome is first occurrence of MACE as death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or hospitalization for heart failure or angina. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, time to "return to duty"/work, health resource consumption, angina, cardiovascular (CV) death and primary outcome components. Events will be adjudicated by an experienced Clinical Events Committee (CEC). Follow-up was planned to be 3-years using 50 sites: primarily VA and Active Duty Military Hospitals/Clinics and a National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) clinical data research network (CDRN)(OneFlorida Consortium). The number of sites were increased and follow up was modified to continue until the last patient enrolled was followed until trial follow up was completed. Recruitment was complete January 6, 2024.
This study is being conducted to determine whether intensive medication treatment to modify risk factors and vascular function in women patients with coronary arteries showing no flow limit obstruction but with cardiac symptoms (i.e., chest pain, shortness of breath) will reduce the patient's likelihood of dying, having a heart attack, stroke/TIA or being hospitalized for cardiac reasons. The results will provide evidence data necessary to inform future guidelines regarding how best to treat this growing population of patients, and ultimately improve the patient's cardiac health and quality of life and reduce health-care costs.
Detailed description
WARRIOR trial is a multi-site, PROBE design, that will evaluate an intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB)/aspirin treatment strategy (IMT) vs. primary prevention risk factor therapy treatment strategy (UC) in 4,422 symptomatic (chronic angina or equivalent) women with non-obstructive CAD (<50% diameter narrowing).
There will be ~80 US sites, including VA/ military and OneFlorida CDRN sites, with a proven record in prior trials. The investigators will use web-based, real-time data entry, and management University of Florida Data Management System (UFDMS) for site selection, screening, participant eligibility confirmation, enrollment, and randomization. Participants will be recruited from screened women with symptoms suspected to be ischemic with non-obstructive CAD by invasive coronary angiogram or CT angiogram. The high dose statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) and ACE-I (lisinopril) [or ARB (losartan)] are generic commonly used medications previously demonstrated effective for improving angina, stress testing, myocardial perfusion and coronary microvascular flow reserve in small size trials in this population. Additionally, aspirin will also be recommended to IMT participants without contraindications or excess bleeding risk, however aspirin will not be provided by the study. Both the groups will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. Events will be adjudicated by the Clinical Events Committee (CEC), according to objective criteria and masked to treatment assignment clues.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This will be a PROBE design, that will evaluate an intensive statin/ACE-I (or ARB) plus ASA if tolerated, treatment strategy (IMT) vs. primary prevention risk factor therapy treatment strategy (UC) in symptomatic (chronic angina or equivalent) women with non-obstructive CAD.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) | Experimental | Drug: High dose potent statin, Drug: ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan), Drug: Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily, Behavioral: Lifestyle Counseling, Behavioral: Quality of Life QuestionnairesThe IMT-assigned women will receive high dose potent statin, and moderate dose of an ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan). Aspirin will also be recommended to IMT women without contraindications or bleeding risk. This group will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), Quality of Life questionnaires, and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. |
| Usual Care (UC) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Quality of Life QuestionnairesThe UC-assigned women will maintain standard of care. This group will also receive Lifestyle Counseling (PACE Assessment), Quality of Life questionnaires, and the same visit schedule and "face-time" with site staff to reduce bias. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Signs and symptoms of suspected ischemia prompting referral for further evaluation by cardiac catheterization or coronary angiogram or coronary CT angiogram within 5 years from consent
- Willing to provide written informed consent
- Non-obstructive CAD defined as 0 to 49% diameter reduction of a major epicardial vessel or a FFR>0.80
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- History of noncompliance (with medical therapy, protocol, or follow-up)
- History of non-ischemic dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Documented acute coronary syndrome(ACS) within previous 30 days
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, New York Heart Association heart failure (NYHA HF) class III-IV, or hospitalization for Reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) within 180 days
- Stroke within previous 180 days or intracranial hemorrhage at any time
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| High dose potent statinAlso: atorvastatin or rosuvastatinThe IMT-assigned women will receive high-dose, potent statin (atorvastatin 40-80 mg/d or rosuvastatin 20-40mg) class of lipid-lowering medications. | Drug | Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) |
| ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan)Also: ACE-I or ARBAngiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely prescribed for primary hypertension. | Drug | Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) |
| Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet dailyAlso: AspirinWill be recommended to IMT women without contraindications or bleeding risk. | Drug | Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) |
| Lifestyle CounselingAlso: PACE Lifestyle InterventionThe PACE Lifestyle Assessment Intervention which is a program to assist with smoking cessation, weight loss, and exercise. | Behavioural | Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT) |
| Quality of Life QuestionnairesAlso: QOLQuality of Life Questionnaires will be obtained. | Behavioural | Intensive Medical Treatment (IMT), Usual Care (UC) |
Primary outcome
The primary outcome is MACE, defined as first occurrence of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalization for angina or HF.
Time frame: Within 5 years
All-cause death will be used 1) CV death is insensitive in this population with non-obstructive CAD since death is less likely attributed to CV causes when no obstructive CAD is present; 2) all-cause death is resistant to ascertainment bias in this unblinded trial. CV death will be defined broadly to include both definite CV death and possible CV death (all deaths except those with definite non-CV cause, e.g., cancer, witnessed trauma and homicide). The MI definition follows universal criteria for Types 1-5 MI events. Stroke/TIA definition is new onset neurological defect of central origin confirmed by brain imaging (CT or MRI) evidence of cerebral infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage. Hospitalization for angina- Any hospitalization for angina, plus unstable angina or ACS. Hospitalization for Heart Failure -required established objective criteria for heart failure. All MACE events are adjudicated by a blinded Clinical Endpoint Committee
12 secondary outcomes
Components of MACE
Time frame: Within 5 years
Composite hierarchical MACE endpoint
Time frame: Within 5 years
Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ).
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
EQ-5D-3L
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Duke Activity Status Inventory (DASI)
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Modified Morisky Medicine Scale Take your medication
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly).
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PCL-5 (Screening for PTSD).
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
Health care utilization and cost effectiveness
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
GAD 7
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
PHQ 8
Time frame: Study entry and every six months until end of follow up (up to 72 months)
MACE and Quality of Life outcomes will also be stratified by enrollment assessment of non-obstructive CAD using noninvasive CCTA vs invasive coronary angiography
Time frame: Within 5 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Oct 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41932694Pepine CJ, Handberg E, Cooper-DeHoff R, Cook-Wiens G, Diniz MA, Frayne S, Lo MC, Smith SM, Harris B, Wei J, Chaitman BR, Spertus JA, Berry C, Weintraub W, Bairey Merz CN. Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events In Non-ObstRuctive CAD (WARRIOR): a randomised controlled trial. Open Heart. 2026 Apr 3;13(1):e004115. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2026-004115.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 38547955Lakshmanan S, Wei J, Cook-Wiens G, Pepine CJ, Handberg EM, Shaw LJ, Budoff M, Merz CNB. Comparison of risk profiles of participants in the Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce events In non-ObstRuctive CAD (WARRIOR) trial, using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography vs Invasive Coronary Angiography. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2024 May-Jun;84:90-93. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2024.03.008. Epub 2024 Mar 26.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 35781776Ya'Qoub L, Elgendy IY, Pepine CJ. Non-obstructive Plaque and Treatment of INOCA: More to Be Learned. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2022 Sep;24(9):681-687. doi: 10.1007/s11883-022-01044-4. Epub 2022 Jul 4.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33745898Handberg EM, Merz CNB, Cooper-Dehoff RM, Wei J, Conlon M, Lo MC, Boden W, Frayne SM, Villines T, Spertus JA, Weintraub W, O'Malley P, Chaitman B, Shaw LJ, Budoff M, Rogatko A, Pepine CJ. Rationale and design of the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial. Am Heart J. 2021 Jul;237:90-103. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2021.03.011. Epub 2021 Mar 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Carl J Pepine, MD principal investigator
University of Florida
C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD principal investigator
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
81 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing High dose potent statin, ACE-I (lisinopril) or ARB (losartan) and Aspirin 81 enteric coated tablet daily in people with Coronary Artery Disease, run by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 81 sites in 2 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 81 sites in United States, Puerto Rico. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The primary outcome is MACE, defined as first occurrence of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalization for angina or HF. (time frame: Within 5 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03417388, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Oct 2026.