EXAMINE-CAD-DZHK22

First prospective randomized trial to examine a differential therapeutic response in symptomatic patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease after coronary physiological testing (EXAMINE-CAD-DZHK22)

Circulatory disorders in the heart can have two causes: The large blood vessels may be narrowed, which can be treated with a stent, or the small, finely branched veins are no longer permeable. The latter is called disturbed microcirculation at the heart. The EXAMINE-CAD-DZHK22 study is now systematically testing for the first time how this clinical picture can best be treated. To do this, the researchers are conducting more detailed studies on the heart and comparing two drugs, beta blockers and calcium channel antagonists. There is a lack of clear scientific data on which of the two agents should be used when. Although there is no risk of a heart attack if the microcirculation is disturbed, the symptoms, such as tightness and pressing pain in the chest, are very distressing for patients. If left untreated, serious secondary damage such as heart failure can develop. The fact that the small heart vessels are not sufficiently permeable may be due to a disturbed function of the inner vessel wall or to spasming vessels. In the DZHK study, scientists are investigating which of the two drugs is best suited for which patients. Patients are divided into two groups using coronary physiological tests. It is assumed that patients with spasms of the small blood vessels will benefit from the calcium channel antagonists and that beta blockers will help better in cases of disturbed vascular function. The study aims to fill an important knowledge gap and pave the way for larger clinical trials to rapidly translate the findings into treatment guidelines.

Publications

There are no publications available yet.

Principal Investigators

Principal investigator: Ulf Landmesser (Berlin), Co-PI: Barbara Stähli (Berlin)

Press releases and news

Study recruitment is available in these cities

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