Clinical Research Directory

Determinants of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Effects of HIIT in Patients With ANOCA Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease(ANOCA)

The main goal is to understand what causes reduced fitness in ANOCA and whether targeted exercise can help improve it. This study aims to better understand why patients with Angina and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (ANOCA) have poor cardiorespiratory fitness and its effect on quality of life. Investigators also want to see if a structured high-intensity exercise program (HIIT), done with remote monitoring, can safely improve heart function, fitness, and quality of life in these patients. The Investigators will use a special exercise test called cardiopulmonary exercise testing to look for patterns that can help explain exercise limitations and quality of life in ANOCA before and after a remote high-intensity exercise program.

Starring Optical Coherence Tomography During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Guidance

The starring optical coherence tomography during percutaneous coronary intervention guidance (OCT-AGEM) registry aims to evaluate the clinical impact of intra-procedural optical coherence tomography (OCT) in coronary revascularization, both in guiding revascularization decisions and optimizing interventional procedural outcomes, as well as assessing mid- and long-term clinical results.

Comprehensive Coronary Physiology in Patients With Angina With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries - Czech Republic

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While cardiologists have been focused on discrete, visible stenoses of coronary arteries, there is increasing awareness of the importance of microcirculation and vasospastic disorders in causing angina. The microvascular bed is composed of vessels smaller than 400 microns in diameter. Their network is significantly larger than that of the epicardial vessels and serves essential functions, including regulating myocardial blood flow and cellular metabolism. Angina pectoris, a most frequent symptom of CAD or myocardial ischemia, was assumed to be caused by significant stenosis of the epicardial coronary artery. However, it was found that in over 50% of cases, there was no obstructive CAD, which is described as angina with no obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA) or ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), according to the clinical setting.

Retinal OCTA for Microvascular Dysfunction Evaluation and Outcome Prediction in MINOCA Patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate microvascular dysfunction through OCTA in MINOCA patients. In order to better understand the condition, OCTA will also be performed in two matched patient groups: healthy controls and ACS patients. The study will compare the retinal microvascular parameters across these groups to determine differences in microvascular function in MINOCA patients. Additionally, in the MINOCA subgroup, the study will further evaluate the differences in microvascular dysfunction within specific subsets of patients (e.g., Takotsubo, vasospastic angina, microvascular angina, patients with evidence of plaque erosion) to understand the variability and potential mechanisms underlying each subgroup of MINOCA.

Implantable Cardiac Monitor to Detect Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With MINOCA

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) (i.e.\<50% stenoses) on coronary angiography) is an underappreciated clinical entity concerning 5-6% of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Approximately 50% of these patients remain without appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The MINOCA study aims at systematically assessing the frequency of underlying pathologies of MINOCA and outcomes with a multidisciplinary etiologic work-up and follow-up of 5 years including, for the first time, an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) to assess the frequency of atrial fibrillation as underlying cause for MINOCA.

Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries: Italian Study

Acute coronary syndromes have been extensively studied in recent decades, focusing mainly on myocardial infarctions with obstructive coronary artery disease and early revascularisation strategies. However, the extensive use of highly sensitive troponin tests and coronary angiography has revealed a substantial group of patients with myocardial infarction without significant coronary stenosis (≥50%). This group is referred to as myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). MINOCA are defined by evidence of a myocardial infarction with normal or near-normal coronary arteries on angiography, in the absence of an alternative diagnosis specific to the clinical presentation (e.g. sepsis, myocarditis, pulmonary embolism). MINOCA may present with different aetiologies, including coronary plaque rupture/erosion, epicardial or microvascular spasm and coronary embolism. Therefore, the diagnosis of MINOCA must be considered a 'working diagnosis', which not only requires but warrants further investigation to determine the underlying cause. In fact, the investigation of MINOCA is conducted on two levels, first by excluding disorders that mimic myocardial infarction and then by identifying the cause responsible for MINOCA. In order to identify the various underlying causes of MINOCA, a cardiac MRI and/or coronary vascular imaging approach with OCT or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and a coronary functional assessment of microvascular function, as well as the provocation of coronary spasms by acetylcholine testing are recommended. Moreover, the clear definition of the aetiology is of great importance considering the role they play in the most appropriate therapeutic choice. Therefore, the creation of an Italian national database could implement not only the knowledge of this clinical condition but also its management and consequent prognosis.

Influence of Air Quality on the Development and Progression of Premature Coronary Artery Disease

The new global guidelines from the World Health Organization on air quality provide evidence of the damage that air pollution inflicts on human health at even lower concentrations than previously thought. Different studies have shown an increase in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in young people in recent decades. The main objective of this project is to study the impact of environmental pollutants on the premature manifestation of CAD from different epidemiological approaches and their impact on the evolution of these patients with a gender perspective. It is a retrospective analytical case-control study nested in a cohort of patients ≤40 years old with a clinical history of CAD including: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, unstable angina, stable angina or silent angina according to the international classification of diseases.

Biomarkers of Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients With Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries

Around 10% of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) present with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) which pathophysiology is often uncertain. The aim of the study is to evaluate inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in MINOCA patients during both acute and stable phases, comparing them with those with MI and obstructive coronary arteries (MICAD).

Plaque Burden and Ischemia in MINOCA

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess coronary artery plaque burden, perivascular inflammation and extent of myocardial ischemia in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. The main question it aims to answer are: * Identify coronary artery anatomy, plaque burden, composition and high-risk plaque features by CT coronary angiography in MINOCA * Assess presence, extent and severity of myocardial ischemia in MINOCA Participants will examined by CT coronary angiography and stress \[12N\] NH3 PET-MR.