Exercise training for patients with chest pain and no blocked arteries

Ischemia With No Obstruction of Coronary Arteries: Underlying Mechanisms and the Impact of Exercise Training (EXINOCA)

Not applicable Interventional Bispebjerg Hospital · NCT06529848

This study tests if regular aerobic exercise can help people with chest pain but no blocked arteries feel better by improving blood flow in their heart and other organs.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBispebjerg Hospital Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Copenhagen and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06529848 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the causes of chest pain in patients who have no signs of coronary artery blockage, focusing on coronary microvascular dysfunction. It aims to determine whether regular aerobic exercise can improve microvascular function in the heart and other organs, potentially alleviating symptoms. The study is a randomized controlled trial involving 100 patients, who will be assigned to either an exercise training group or a control group. The primary outcome measured will be coronary microvascular function, with secondary outcomes including symptom relief and microvascular function in other tissues.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients diagnosed with coronary microvascular dysfunction and no obstructive coronary artery disease.

Not a fit: Patients with heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, or those unable to exercise will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive treatment option for patients suffering from chest pain due to microvascular dysfunction.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this study is novel, there is existing evidence suggesting that exercise can improve vascular function in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Coronary microvascular dysfunction, defined as myocardial bloodflow reserve (MBFR) \< 2.5 or hyperemic myocar-dial blood flow (hMBF)\<2.3 ml/g/min using \[15O\]H2O-PET
* No obstructive coronary artery disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Females of childbearing potential (defined as a premeno-pausal female capable of becoming pregnant). The female patient must either be postmenopausal, defined as amen-orrhea for at least 1 year, or surgically sterile
* Heart failure, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40%
* Uncontrolled hypertension defined as blood pressure above target 140/90 for all
* Co-morbidity resulting in \<1 year expected survival
* Considered by the investigator, for any reason, to be an un-suitable candidate for the study.
* Unable or unwilling to exercise, e.g. due to arthritis or in-jury\*
* Already are regularly physically active and/or have a maxi-mal oxygen uptake \>45 ml/kg/min

Where this trial is running

Copenhagen and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Coronary Microvascular DiseaseCMD
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.