Non-invasive Cardiac Screening in High Risk Patients -The GROUND Study

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common disease associated with a considerably increased risk of future events and with a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Improvement of the prognosis of this patient group is needed. Screening for CAD has become an option with recent developments in CT-angiography and MR stress testing. It is unknown if high-risk patient groups benefit from screening through non-invasive cardiac imaging. Therefore we propose to study whether a cardiac imaging algorithm, using non-invasive imaging techniques followed by evidence-based treatment will reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in cardiac asymptomatic PAD patients.

The GROUND study is designed as a prospective, multi-center, randomized clinical trial. Patients with peripheral arterial disease, but yet without a history of symptomatic cardiac disease will be asked to participate. All patients receive a proper therapeutic advice before randomization. Half of the recruited patients will enter the 'control group' and only receive CT calcium scoring. The other half of the recruited patients (index group) will undergo the non invasive cardiac imaging algorithm followed by evidence-based treatment. First patients undergo CT calcium scoring and CT angiography. Patients with a left main (or equivalent) coronary artery stenosis on CT angiography will be referred to a cardiologist without further imaging. All other patients in this group will undergo Dobutamine Stress Magnetic Resonance (DSMR) testing. Patients with a DSMR positive for ischemia will also be referred to a cardiologist. Most referred patients will very likely undergo conventional coronary artery angiography and cardiac interventions (CABG or PCI) if indicated. All participants of the trial will enter a 5 year follow up period for the occurrence of future cardiovascular events. Interim analysis will take place and based on power calculations about 1200 patients are needed to reach significance.

Implications The GROUND study will provide new insight into the question whether non-invasive cardiac imaging reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease, but yet without symptoms of coronary artery disease as an example of a high risk patient group.