The UK research project at the Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Centre is funded by Beat SCAD, National Institute for Health Research, Heart Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.
The research was patient-led from the start and Beat SCAD is currently funding a clinical research fellow. This and other research across the world has produced some important findings about SCAD and we are determined to continue supporting the research.
All patients should be encouraged to get involved in the research – please let your patients know about it and give them this link to sign up.
Latest Research
Dr David Adlam who is leading the UK SCAD research, discusses the latest research here and there are more videos in our Events and Videos section.
Click on the Research Publications sections for links to some of the papers that have been published about SCAD.
Resources
Also patient-led, the research programme at the Mayo Clinic in the US was kickstarted by two SCAD patients who met on social media. Dr Sharonne Hayes is leading the research.
Also in the US, the Cleveland Clinic and Massachusetts General Hospital are both running SCAD research projects.
A Canadian SCAD research project at the University of British Columbia is being led by Dr Jacqueline Saw.
An Australian SCAD research project is taking place at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, again in conjunction with patients who wanted answers.
The Spanish Registry on Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection is a multi-centre prospective study looking at areas including predisposing factors, potential triggers and associated pathologies; clinical and angiographic presentations of SCAD patients; the value of diagnostic techniques; and recurrence.
A paper published in May 2023 revealed underlying genetic risks for SCAD. In the first international Genome Wide Association (GWAS) meta-analysis for SCAD, 16 genes were identified that increase the risk of having a SCAD. The 16 identified genes are involved in processes that determine how the cells and connective tissue hold together and how the blood clots when bleeding occurs in tissues.
Genome-wide association meta-analysis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection identifies risk variants and genes related to artery integrity and tissue-mediated coagulation, May 2023 in Nature Genetics.
Request Beat SCAD's summary of the GWAS paper via the Downloads form.
2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes (SCAD details on pages 49-50, section 9.3).
European Society of Cardiology guidelines on ACS, including SCAD, September 2020
European Position Paper on SCAD, February 2018
Open Heart Journal’s summary of the European Position Paper and the American Scientific Statement
For Professionals...
What is SCAD?
Knowledge about SCAD is increasing, but we still have a lot to learn. Find out how SCAD can present, symptoms, SCAD facts and the current theories about false lumen formation
Diagnosis
How to diagnose SCAD, risks of invasive angiograms to check for healing and information about post-SCAD Chest Pain Syndrome
Treatments
Clinical trials are needed to identify the best treatments for SCAD patients, but research and clinical practice have resulted in guidelines about conservative management and surgical intervention
Recovery
SCAD experts advise that all patients be referred to cardiac rehab and some people may need emotional support too
Clinic Referrals
Many patients find it beneficial both clinically and emotionally to be referred to a SCAD specialist. It can be instrumental in their recovery, so we encourage healthcare professionals to consider a referral
Research
A round-up of the UK research project and other research and clinical trials around the world