The FORECAST Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in the Assessment and Management of Stable Chest Pain.
IRAS ID
231037
Contact name
Nicholas Curzen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The best way to assess and manage patients presenting with stable chest pain likely to be angina is not clear. Tests that describe the size and shape of the arteries (anatomy) and how well the blood vessels are working (i.e. how easily the blood can flow through them, the physiology) are needed in order to work out the best treatment plan. Currently, patients may need to have more than one test to look at both the anatomy and the physiology. They may also be invasive and/or expensive (e.g. invasive coronary angiogram or a device known as a ‘pressure wire’).
More recently pictures of the heart arteries have been taken using a CT (computerised tomography) heart scanner and a company called HeartFlow Inc®, has developed new software that allows a computer to generate information from a routine CT scan, called FFRct. This test can now give results about the size and shape (anatomy) of the blood vessels and can also calculate how well they function, by measuring the flow of blood going through the vessels (physiology), in a non-invasive way. This Trial will assess Standard investigations versus CT scan (with FFRct as required) within a randomised controlled trial.
Patients who have been referred to a Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) for investigation of their chest pain and are suitable for a CT scan, will be invited to participate. The study will take place in hospitals within the UK.
Participants will be asked to sign consent form, complete questionnaires about their quality of life at the beginning of the study and will then either undergo standard investigations or CT scan (with FFR as required). They will then complete the same questionnaires, plus how satisfied they were with the treatment and what NHS resource they have used at 3 months and 9 months.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0490
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion