SoutheAsTern eUrope microciRculATION (SATURATION) registry - Design and rationale

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Many patients with ischemic symptoms lack diagnoses due to absence of epicardial stenoses.
• Coronary microvascular and vasomotion disorders are increasingly recognized causes of ischemia.
• Current clinical use of invasive coronary physiology tools remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess regional practices in coronary function testing within Southeastern Europe.
• To investigate patient selection, indications, and procedural aspects of invasive coronary physiology.
• To elucidate the impact of coronary microcirculation on cardiovascular outcomes across different stages of coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

• The SoutheAsTern eUrope microciRculATION (SATURATION) registry will enroll 1600 patients from 2024-2029.
• Thermodilution technique will be used for microcirculation evaluation.
• Data collection includes patient selection, non-invasive testing, medications, invasive procedures, and treatment changes. Major adverse cardiovascular events and patient-centered outcomes (angina burden, quality of life) will be recorded.

Main Results:

• The registry will provide insights into current invasive coronary physiology assessment practices.
• It will highlight how coronary microcirculation influences outcomes in patients with varying degrees of coronary atherosclerosis.
• Findings will inform understanding of coronary microvascular dysfunction in high-risk populations.

Conclusions:

• The SATURATION registry offers crucial data on invasive coronary physiology in Southeastern Europe.
• This research can enhance the understanding of coronary microvascular dysfunction.
• Potential beneficial interventions for coronary atherosclerosis may be identified.