Sex Specific Assessment of Chest Pain Study (SSACP)

The purpose of this study is to determine if there are sex-specific predictors for the development of coronary artery disease. Patients with symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath when exercising often require further tests, including tests that take pictures of the heart and of heart blood flow.

A new assessment tool that has distinct versions for males and females, and includes more information from the patient, could more accurately predict underlying hardening or blockages of the arteries which would help to ensure that further testing with expensive approaches is minimized. Information from study participants will be gathered to help develop this new assessment tool.

You may be eligible to participate in the study and help our scientists in the development of this assessment tool if you are:

  • A woman or man experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath 
  • Undergoing a CT-Cardiac test or an angiogram

Your participation in the study would involve:

  1. Providing consent to collect information from you and your medical records about your health history (i.e., demographics, medical history, lab and test results)
  2. Two brief meetings under 10 minutes
    o First Meeting – before or after your scheduled CT-Cardiac/Angiogram test
    o Second Meeting – 6 months to 1 year later (by email or phone) to determine if you have had any other imaging tests looking at the heart and blood vessels

If you are interested in participating in the study or have any questions, please contact the team:

Aranya Punithan
aranya.punithan@wchospital.ca
416 351 3732 Ext 2420

Sara Karlsson
sara.karlsson@wchospital.ca
416 351 3732 Ext 5821