RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

ULTIMATE Study (Carotid Ultrasound Vs CT Coronary Calcium Scoring to Reclassify Symptomatic Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome)

This study, called "ULTIMATE", is exploring a new way to check for heart problems in people who have chest pain, a common symptom of heart disease. Doctors usually use a CT scan of the heart to see if there's any narrowing in the blood vessels, which helps decide who needs further tests. However, CT scans involve a small amount of radiation. This study wants to find out if a simple ultrasound scan of the neck vessels could provide similar useful information. If successful, this neck scan would be a safer, quicker, and more affordable option, avoiding radiation exposure for many patients. Participants will have one hospital visit for a neck ultrasound, and the results will be compared with heart CT scans.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

London North West Healthcare NHS Trust

Enrolment target

225

Start

03 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2032

Chronic Coronary Syndrome Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

What is this study about?

When you experience chest pain, it's really important to find out why. Sometimes, it can be a sign that the blood vessels supplying your heart are becoming narrow. Currently, if your doctor thinks there's a low chance of this narrowing, they might recommend a CT scan of your heart. This scan is quite good at showing if you don't have serious narrowing, which means you might not need more tests. However, CT scans do use a very small amount of X-rays, which is a type of radiation.

This study, called the ULTIMATE Study, is looking into a different approach. We want to see if an ultrasound scan of the blood vessels in your neck could give us similar information to a heart CT scan. An ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, so it's a very safe procedure. If this neck scan proves to be just as good at helping doctors understand your risk, it could mean fewer people need to have CT scans, reducing their exposure to radiation.

The main goal is to figure out if this simple neck scan can help doctors decide which patients truly have a very low risk of significant heart vessel narrowing. If it can, it would mean that some people could be reassured without needing more involved tests, making the process of diagnosis safer, quicker, and potentially more comfortable for you, while also helping hospitals manage their resources more effectively.

Key takeaways

The study explores a safer way to check for heart problems.
It compares a neck ultrasound to a standard heart CT scan.
A neck ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation.
Participation involves one hospital visit for a simple neck scan.
If successful, it could reduce the need for CT scans for some patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over. You might be suitable if you have chest pain and your doctor originally thought you should have a CT scan of your heart to check for heart vessel narrowing, and your risk of having significant narrowing is currently considered low to medium.

However, you won't be able to join if you are under 18, or if you've already been diagnosed with a heart attack, or had procedures like stents or bypass surgery. Also, if you've had a stroke, have significant heart defects you were born with, or if you're pregnant, you wouldn't be able to take part. It's also important that you're well enough and able to understand and agree to take part in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have chest pain that your doctor is investigating?
Has your doctor suggested a CT heart scan as a first step?
Have you NOT had a heart attack or heart surgery before?
Are you NOT pregnant and do you NOT have other serious heart conditions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, your involvement would be quite straightforward. You would need to come to the hospital for just one visit. During this visit, you'll have an ultrasound scan of the blood vessels in your neck. This scan is quick, painless, and doesn't involve any radiation. The study team will then compare the information from your neck scan with the information from your CT heart scan (which you would have had as part of your usual care) to see how well they match up. There are no study medications involved, and no long-term follow-up visits specifically for this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially help improve how doctors check for heart problems in the future, making diagnosis safer and more patient-friendly for others. The neck ultrasound scan itself is very safe, with no known risks or side effects, as it doesn't use radiation. There are no direct personal benefits from taking part, as the study is comparing existing information. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Northwick Park Hospital
Verified postcode
Harrow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Chronic Coronary Syndrome?

Chronic Coronary Syndrome means you have long-term heart disease where the blood vessels supplying your heart might be narrowed, leading to symptoms like chest pain.

Is a neck ultrasound painful?

No, a neck ultrasound is not painful. It's similar to the ultrasound scans you might have during pregnancy – a gel is put on your neck, and a small device is moved over your skin.

Will this study change my current medical care?

No, this study is comparing two types of scans. It won't change the medical care your doctor is already providing for you.

Why is it important to avoid radiation?

While the radiation from a single CT scan is very small, doctors always try to minimise radiation exposure where possible, especially if a safer alternative can provide similar useful information.

How long will the hospital visit take?

The visit for the ultrasound scan will likely take less than an hour, including time for explanations and the scan itself.

How to find out more

Emma Howard

lnwh-tr.cardiacresearch@nhs.net +4402088692548 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.