Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT05699200

A Study to Analyze the Role of Sympathetic Nervous System in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

The purpose of this research is to compare sympathetic function (flight or fight system) and arterial health including structure and mechanics of participants with history of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) to age and sex matched control participants.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Coronary Artery Dissection, Spontaneous Healthy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • For SCAD patients: history of SCAD as confirmed by coronary angiography or cardiac computed tomography angiography
  • For controls: no cardiac disease history

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy
  • Known or suspected unstable cardiac condition within 4 weeks of the study
  • Active treatment with anticoagulation or dual antiplatelet therapy
  • Prisoner

Treatment and study plan

Arterial tonometry

Other

We will measure arterial stiffness using arterial tonometry.

Echocardiogram

Diagnostic Test

We will collect limited ultrasound images of the heart.

Carotid Ultrasounds

Diagnostic Test

We will perform ultrasound imaging of the carotid artery.

Elastography

Diagnostic Test

We will measure the elastic properties of the arteries using elastography.

Ankle-Brachial Index

Other

We will measure the ankle-brachial index to assess peripheral artery blood flow.

Microneurography with sympathoexcitatory maneuvers

Other

We will measure sympathetic nerve activity at rest and in response to isometric handgrip, mental stress test, cold pressor test, Valsalva maneuvers.

Primary outcomes

  1. Arterial thickness

    Time frame: Baseline

    Measured by carotid ultrasound intimal media thickness reporting in mm

  2. Arterial stiffness

    Time frame: Baseline

    Measured by carotid ultrasound pulse wave velocity reporting in m/s

  3. Baroreflex sensitivity

    Time frame: Baseline

    The slope between heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during the Valsalva Maneuver (ms/mmHg)

  4. Sympathetic response to stress

    Time frame: Baseline

    Blood pressure or muscle sympathetic nerve activity response to sympathoexcitatory stressors (mm/Hg or bursts/min).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Pamela Engrav

CONTACT

[email protected]

507-255-6938

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Collaborators

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Registry information

Official study title

Role of the Neurovascular System in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Jan 26, 2023
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.