Rationale and design of the Women's Ischemia Trial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) trial

Am Heart J. 2021 Jul:237:90-103. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2021.03.011. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Abstract

Background: Approximately half of all women with anginal symptoms and/or signs of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) referred for coronary angiography have elevated risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE), poor quality of life and resource consumption. Yet, guidelines focus on symptom management while clinical practice typically advocates only reassurance. Pilot studies of INOCA subjects suggest benefit with intensive medical therapy (IMT) that includes high-intensity statins and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or receptor blockers (ARB) to provide the rationale for a randomized pragmatic trial to limit MACE.

Methods: The Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events In Non-ObstRuctive CAD is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, blinded outcome evaluation (PROBE design) of a pragmatic strategy of IMT vs usual care (UC) in 4,422 symptomatic women with INOCA (NCT03417388) in approximately 70 United States sites. The hypothesis is that IMT will reduce the primary outcome of first occurrence of MACE by 20% vs. UC at ∼2.5 year followup. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, time to return to "duty"/work, healthcare utilization, angina, cardiovascular death and individual primary outcome components over 3 years follow-up. The study utilizes web-based data capture, e-consents, single IRB and centralized pharmacy distribution of strategy medications directly to patients' homes to reduce site and patient burden. A biorepository will collect blood samples to assess potential mechanisms.

Conclusions: The results of this trial will provide important data necessary to inform guidelines regarding how best to manage this growing and challenging population of women with INOCA.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Pragmatic Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Incidence
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / epidemiology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / etiology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / prevention & control*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03417388