Randomized Study of Beta-Blockers and Antiplatelets in Patients With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a relatively rare but important and increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Most patients presenting with SCAD are treated with beta-blockers (BB) and antiplatelet drugs (AP). Although appealing from a pathophysiological standpoint, such management strategy is completely empiric. The Beta-Blockers and Antiplatelet Agents in Patients with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (BA-SCAD) randomized clinical trial is an academic, pragmatic, nation-wide, prospective study developed under the auspices of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) that aims to assess the efficacy of medical therapy in SCAD patients. Using a factorial 2x2 design, patients will be randomized (1:1/1:1) to: 1) BB (yes/no) and 2) short AP regimen (1 month) vs prolonged dual AP therapy (DAPT) (12 months). A conservative medical management will be initially recommended, with coronary revascularization reserved for patients with ongoing/refractory ischemia. Only patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) will be randomized to BB (yes/no) because patients with LVEF <40% will receive BB according to current guidelines. Likewise, only medically managed patients will be randomized to short AP therapy vs 1-year DAPT, because patients requiring coronary interventions will receive DAPT. The study will have a pragmatic, open label, blind outcomes design (PROBE). The type and dose of BB and AP agents will be at the discretion of the treating physician. Treatment adherence will be reinforced and closely monitored and the potential influence of drug discontinuation/cross-over on outcomes will be carefully evaluated. A total of 600 SCAD patients will be randomized within 2 years (300 per arm in a factorial 2x2 design). The primary efficacy endpoint will include the composite of death, acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization, recurrent SCAD, and unplanned hospital admission for ACS or heart failure at 1 year. The primary safety endpoint will be bleeding according the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria ≥ 3. An analysis of net clinical benefit, including primary efficacy and safety endpoints, will also be performed. All patients will be clinically followed at 1 year (primary endpoint) and yearly thereafter. Although the main study will be pragmatic, following routine clinical practice, a systematic and comprehensive set of additional ancillary studies and investigations (clinical, imaging, biomarkers, inflammatory, immunologic, pharmacogenetic and genetic) will be prospectively organized to ensure a multidisciplinary and holistic view on this challenging condition.

Inclusion criteria

• Angiographic diagnosis of SCAD
• Admission for ACS or other manifestations of ischemia
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Cardiogenic shock or severe hemoynamic instability
• Concomitant severe heart disease requiring surgical correction (in <2 years)
• Medical condition seriously limiting life expectancy (< 2 years)
• Allergies or contraindication to drugs required in one of the study arms; the patient may be randomized in the other arm (factorial design)