SCOT-HEART Evolution v1.0

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The SCOT-HEART Evolution Study

  • IRAS ID

    355507

  • Contact name

    Michelle Williams

  • Contact email

    michelle.williams@ed.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Edinburgh

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    18 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Coronary artery disease is the commonest cause of death around the world. In the United Kingdom, coronary artery disease is one of the top five biggest killers, with one person dying of coronary artery disease every eight minutes. However, despite developments in diagnosis and treatment, we still do not know why coronary artery disease develops or progresses in some patients but not in others.

    The SCOT-HEART Evolution study aims to explore how coronary artery disease develops and progresses over time. We will use an exciting new imaging technique called a photon counting computed tomography (CT) scan to look at the heart's blood vessels in detail. This will allow us to detect changes that may signal the start or worsening of coronary artery disease. We will follow up people 10 years after they took part in the SCOT-HEART trial where half of the participants received a CT scan and half did not. We will recruit 2280 people that took part in the SCOT-HEART trial and perform CT scans and ask them questions about their health, lifestyle and medical care. The study will last a total of 3 years.

    We hope this research will help us to understand what factors contribute to the development and progression of coronary artery disease and could lead to better ways to prevent and treat coronary artery disease.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 02

  • REC reference

    26/SS/0015

  • Date of REC Opinion

    8 Apr 2026

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion