The MASTER-PACT Study

Rationale:

In at least 25% - 50% of patients with chest pain, myocardial ischemia can be present without angiographic evidence of significant epicardial disease. In such patients, it is often assumed that the microvasculature of the myocardium is abnormal, called coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). This microvascular dysfunction constitutes a diagnostic and therapeutic problem with considerable morbidity and associated functional limitations, reduces quality of life, impairs outcome, and increases economic burden for healthcare systems. In the last years, a new invasive methodology has been developed for true quantitative investigation of the coronary microcirculation by calculation of the microvascular resistance reserve (MRR). Non-invasively, calculating the MRR is also possible by measuring resting and hyperemic myocardial blood flow (MBF), for example using quantitative Positron Emission Tomography (PET). However, non-invasive MRR can only be calculated by PET alone in the complete absence of any epicardial disease (i.e. a Fractional Flow Reserve [FFR] of 1.0). In order to obtain information on epicardial disease without using invasive interrogation of the coronary arteries, a method has been developed by HeartFlow Inc. to combine PET and FFR calculated from Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (FFRCT). Using this method, MRR can be calculated non-invasively regardless of the presence of epicardial disease. However, non-invasive MRR has never been validated against invasively measured MRR.

Objective:

The main objective is to compare non-invasive MRR, obtained using PET and FFRCT (CT-scanning), with invasively measured MRR measurement using continuous thermodilution.

Study design:

This study is a prospective validation study in which all patients will undergo dual energy CCTA and [15O]H2O PET scan before invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in conjunction with invasive flow/pressure and thermodilution measurements.

Study population:

Chronic coronary syndrome patients without documented coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for ICA will be evaluated for inclusion.

Main study parameters/endpoints:

The primary endpoint will be the correlation and agreement between non-invasive and invasive MRR. To achieve our study objective, MRR calculated by PET and FFRCT will be compared to invasively measured MMR.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:

A three day protocol will be completed after referral ensuring the diagnostic work-up of patients is not delayed. On day 1 patients will undergo CCTA. On day 2, patients will receive PET scan. Then, on day 3, irrespective of CCTA and PET results, patients will undergo ICA with invasive pressure/thermodilution measurements. The risks of CT and PET are considered to be low. Patients are referred for a clinically indicated ICA and as such risks of the ICA are not deemed study-related. The risk of invasive measurements during ICA are considered low. No direct benefit is present for the participating patients. Nevertheless, measurement of FFR, microvascular resistance and MRR is often useful to make a better decision on performing or deferring PCI, is helpful to better understand the nature of angina complaints in these patients, and contributes to fine-tuning of medical treatment.