What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) include conservative management, beta-blockers, and revascularization procedures. Beta-blockers, which are often used to manage blood pressure and reduce heart rate, can cause side effects such as fatigue, cold extremities, and dizziness. In some cases, they may also lead to depression or worsening of asthma symptoms. Revascularization procedures, including stenting or bypass surgery, carry risks such as bleeding, infection, and complications related to anesthesia. Conservative management, which involves close monitoring and lifestyle modifications, generally has fewer side effects but requires careful adherence to medical advice to prevent complications.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved drugs mentioned for the treatment of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) in the provided context. However, treatments targeting the sympathetic nervous system, such as thoracic sympathectomy, have been explored for related cardiovascular conditions like refractory angina. This suggests a potential therapeutic approach focusing on sympathetic nervous system modulation for SCAD, aligning with the study's aim to evaluate sympathetic function and arterial health.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives for assessing sympathetic function and arterial health in SCAD patients include: 1) Advanced imaging techniques such as high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) for detailed arterial structure and mechanics. 2) Wearable technology that monitors heart rate variability (HRV) and other physiological parameters to assess sympathetic nervous system activity. 3) Biochemical markers and genetic testing to identify underlying predispositions and monitor disease progression.

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Sympathetic Nervous System Analysis for Coronary Artery Dissection

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Marysia Tweet, MD, MS

Research Sponsored by Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

For SCAD patients: history of SCAD as confirmed by coronary angiography or cardiac computed tomography angiography

For controls: no cardiac disease history

Must not have

Known or suspected unstable cardiac condition within 4 weeks of the study

Active treatment with anticoagulation or dual antiplatelet therapy

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial compares the stress response and artery health of people who have had a heart artery tear to those who haven't. Researchers will measure how well their body's stress system works and how healthy their arteries are.

Who is the study for?

This study is for individuals with a history of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), confirmed by specific heart imaging tests, and healthy volunteers without any cardiac disease. Pregnant women, those with unstable heart conditions recently, or on certain blood thinners can't participate.

What is being tested?

The trial investigates the sympathetic nervous system's activity (our body's fight or flight response) and arterial health in SCAD patients compared to healthy people using non-invasive tests like echocardiograms and carotid ultrasounds.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this study uses non-invasive diagnostic tools rather than medications, side effects are minimal but may include discomfort from tight pressure during tonometry or temporary skin marks from elastography.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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My SCAD diagnosis was confirmed through specific heart imaging tests.

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I have never had heart disease.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have not had any heart problems in the last month.

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I am currently on blood thinners or taking two types of medication to prevent blood clots.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Arterial stiffness

Arterial thickness

Baroreflex sensitivity

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) groupExperimental Treatment6 Interventions

Subject with a history of SCAD will undergo a series of diagnostic studies to assess neurovascular function.

Group II: Healthy Control GroupExperimental Treatment6 Interventions

Healthy subjects will undergo a series of diagnostic studies to assess neurovascular function.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Echocardiogram

2016

Completed Phase 2

~1910

Elastography

2011

N/A

~720

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) often involve managing the sympathetic nervous system and improving arterial health. Medications such as beta-blockers are used to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, thereby decreasing the stress on the arterial walls. This is crucial for SCAD patients as it helps prevent further arterial damage and promotes healing. Additionally, lifestyle changes like smoking cessation and caffeine reduction are recommended to minimize sympathetic nervous system activation, which can exacerbate arterial stress and stiffness. These treatments aim to stabilize the arterial structure and mechanics, reducing the risk of recurrent dissection and improving overall cardiovascular health.

No impairment of sympathetic neurotransmission in stunned myocardium.Reduction of sympathetic inotropic response after ischemia in dogs. Contributor to stunned myocardium.Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy--its effect in the treatment of refractory angina pectoris.