In this way, the GCRFF enables multinational studies that can be analysed independently of industry with full or predominantly public funding - a model that strengthens scientific independence and international cooperation equally.
The scientific management of the German study arm lies with the DZHK site in Göttingen. Prof Dr Ingo Kutschka, Director of the Clinic for Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at the University Medical Centre Göttingen (UMG), and Prof Dr Bernhard Danner, Senior Physician at the same clinic, are responsible. The aim is to clarify the question of which bypass technique provides the best long-term treatment results in women, a question that has not been sufficiently researched so far.
The study is investigating the use of multiple arterial bypasses compared to standard therapy with a single arterial bypass in women with coronary heart disease. The aim is to find out whether the choice of bypass technique provides better long-term results and can reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes or repeat operations. ‘Although bypass surgery is well established, there is still a lack of comprehensive knowledge about which method provides the best long-term results, especially for women,’ says Prof Dr Ingo Kutschka, co-study leader at the UMG.
Gender-specific research gaps
According to current studies, women with CHD have a poorer prognosis after bypass operations than men - partly because their vessels are smaller and the symptoms are often less obvious. In addition, women have long been underrepresented in clinical studies or gender-related differences have not been analysed at all. The new study only includes female patients and thus addresses a long-standing research gap.
‘The study is an excellent example of how translational research directly reaches patients - and at the same time proof of the visibility and international connectivity of the DZHK,’ says the head office of the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research.
The randomised controlled study is being conducted in ten countries worldwide. With ROMA:Women, the DZHK is sending a strong signal in favour of gender-sensitive research in cardiac medicine. In future, the results will be used to develop new guidelines specifically for the treatment of women with coronary heart disease - a long overdue step towards more personalised and fairer medicine.
