EVEREST
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM INHIBITION FOR REDUCTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS AFTER TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY
IRAS ID
1010856
Contact name
Dana Dawson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Of Aberdeen
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN18302602
Research summary
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy affects 5,000 people annually in the UK, mostly middle-aged women, and one in ten dies from it.
A takotsubo attack is usually caused by experiencing sudden stress, such as bereavement, or illness, although the cause can be unknown. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy isn’t caused by a blockage in the heart arteries but a severe weakening of the heart muscle. In those who survive an attack the heart muscle recovers, but they face higher risks of death, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and repeated takotsubo episodes compared to the general population. This long-term risk after a takotsubo attack is similar to patients who have a heart attack due to a blocked heart artery. Despite this, there are no proven treatments for takotsubo.
Research suggests renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors used to treat heart attacks due to heart artery blockage or heart failure, might help takotsubo patients. These drugs have been shown to be safe and easy to take in other heart conditions.
The Everest Study aims to determine if RAS inhibitors can prevent deaths, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and repeated takotsubo attacks in people who suffer a takotsubo attack.
The study will recruit 930 participants who have experienced a takotsubo attack in the previous 6 months from 40 hospitals across the UK. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive the drug or not, for a minimum of 2 years. We will collect information on patients’ symptoms, subsequent illnesses and deaths from centrally held NHS electronic health records and patient questionnaires. We will compare the number of deaths, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure or repeated takotsubo attacks between the two groups and report whether or not these drugs are effective at preventing repeated health problems, improving symptoms and quality of life, and reducing health care costs in patients after a takotsubo attack.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0100
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion