Comparing two ways to check heart arteries before valve replacement
Tests a non-invasive risk-based approach against routine angiography in people with severe aortic stenosis.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Coronary Artery Disease Assessment Strategies in TAVI Patients
Key facts
- Where
- Bern, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- University Hospital Bern, Department of CardiologyBern, SwitzerlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
- Trial code
- NCT06559332
- Record updated
- 8 May 2026
- Original description
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis frequently coincide. Before valve intervention, invasive coronary angiography is routinely performed to assess coronary status.Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomized Trial of Coronary Artery Disease Assessment Strategies in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis frequently coincide. Before valve intervention, invasive coronary angiography is routinely performed to assess coronary status.
As the impact of percutaneous revascularization on clinical outcomes beyond symptom improvement is subject to debate and treatment of aortic stenosis itself reduces ischemic burden and symptoms, the benefit/risk balance of routine invasive coronary angiography prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unclear.
The CAT Trial aims to compare a non-invasive risk management strategy to routine invasive coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis selected to undergo TAVI with respect to adverse clinical outcomes at 3 years (primary objective) and patient reported outcome measures (secondary objective).
Exclusion: Concomitant valvular heart disease or ascending aortic aneurysm with indication for surgery or intervention; Myocardial infarction in previous 12 months; Coronary angiography in previous 12 months; Prior left main stenting; Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30%; Unprotected left main coronary stenosis >50% or left main not evaluable based on coronary computed tomography angiography derived from routine pre-TAVI CT; New regional wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography.
Inclusion:; Severe aortic stenosis defined by aortic valve area (AVA) ≤1cm2 AND mean gradient ≥40 mmHg or peak velocity ≥4.0 m/s; OR; if mean gradient <40 mmHg and peak velocity (Vmax) <4 m/s and stroke volume indexed to body surface area (SVi) ≤ 35 mL/m2 and LVEF ≥50% then if CT-derived aortic valve calcium score >2000 Agatston units in men, >1200 in women; OR; if mean gradient <40 mmHg and Vmax <4 m/s and SVi ≤ 35 mL/m2 and LVEF <50% then if CT-derived aortic valve calcification >2000 Agatston units in men, >1200 in women OR if low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography with flow reserve (>20% increase in stroke volume) and AVA ≤1cm2; Coronary calcium score ≥ 400 Agatston units (derived from routine pre-TAVI CT) or known coronary artery disease; Selected for treatment with transfemoral TAVI; Written informed consent.