Stress contrast echocardiography in adults with prior SCAD

Myocardial Perfusion in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Using Stress Contrast Echocardiography

Mayo Clinic · NCT07178509

This project will use stress contrast echocardiography to see if small-vessel heart blood flow and blood-pressure responses during stress are different in adults who had spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) compared with healthy adults.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic (other)
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT07178509 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational protocol uses dobutamine (and, if needed, atropine) stress combined with an ultrasound contrast agent to image myocardial microvascular perfusion and record pressor responses. Participants will include adults with a history of SCAD and healthy adult controls without major medical problems. The exam documents contrast enhancement patterns and hemodynamic responses during pharmacologic stress to identify perfusion abnormalities or exaggerated blood-pressure responses. Exams are performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with standard safety exclusions such as recent MI, severe aortic stenosis, pregnancy, uncontrolled hypertension, or known hypersensitivity to agents used.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults over 18 with a prior history of SCAD or healthy adults with no significant medical history who can undergo dobutamine/atropine stress and receive Definity® contrast are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant, cannot stop breastfeeding, have had a recent heart attack, have severe aortic stenosis or uncontrolled hypertension, or who are allergic to the study agents are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify abnormal small-vessel blood flow or pressor patterns after SCAD that inform follow-up care and targeted management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: Contrast stress echocardiography has been used successfully to study microvascular perfusion in other cardiac conditions, but applying it specifically to patients with prior SCAD is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult \>18 years old
* Patient has a history of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) OR patient is healthy with no significant medical history

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to give consent
* Allergic or have a history of adverse reaction to dobutamine, the Definity® ultrasound enhancing agent, or atropine.
* Has a known or suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren and therefore cannot be given Definity®.
* Pregnant.
* Unable to interrupt breastfeeding.
* Within 3 months of a heart attack.
* Severe aortic stenosis.
* Severe, uncontrolled hypertension (\>200/110 mmHg at baseline).

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.