ACCELERATE-CMR for Coronary Artery Disease Detection
2,022 participantsStarted 2026-09
Plain-language summary
Coronary heart disease occurs when the blood vessels that supply the heart become narrowed or blocked. It is a leading cause of illness and death in the UK. Accurate diagnosis is important because effective treatments are available, but current tests are invasive, uncomfortable, and carry some risks.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), also known as a heart MRI scan, is a safe and accurate test for diagnosing coronary heart disease. However, access to CMR is limited because standard scans take around 45 to 50 minutes, restricting the number of patients who can be scanned.
Researchers have developed a faster CMR scan that takes only 15 to 20 minutes. Previous studies suggest that this shorter scan provides similar accuracy to the standard scan while improving patient comfort.
This study will recruit 2022 adults with suspected coronary heart disease from hospitals in the UK. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard CMR scan or the faster CMR scan.
The study will compare whether the accelerated scan provides similar clinical outcomes to the standard scan and whether patients prefer it. If successful, the accelerated scan could increase access to CMR by allowing more patients to be scanned each day, and enabling more efficient use of NHS resources.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
* patients \>18 years of age referred for routine clinical stress CMR:
* A) with chest pain or angina equivalent OR
o B) with heart failure/suspected heart failure and referred for diagnosis of suspected CAD or evaluation of heart failure aetiology
* Willing and able to consent to participate in the trial
Exclusion criteria
* standard exclusion criteria for clinical stress CMR i.e.:
* absolute contraindications to CMR (non-conditional cardiac implantable electronic devices, metallic implants/foreign bodies),
* contraindications to adenosine (severe pulmonary disease, sinus-node/high-grade atrioventricular disease)
* severe kidney dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate \[eGFR\] \<30ml/min/1.73m2)
* uncontrolled arrhythmia or unstable chest pain
* severe claustrophobia
* previous invasive coronary angiography (within 12 months) with normal angiographic assessment and referred for CMR diagnosis of CMD
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.