Information for Patients
What is the purpose of the study?
Stress echocardiography is a commonly used test to assess for heart disease. It is performed routinely across the country in many different ways. We are examining how stress echocardiography is used in the diagnosis of heart disease, whether there are differences in how the test is performed between hospitals and how the results of the stress echocardiogram guides patients’ care. To do this we are inviting you to take part in the EVAREST Stress Echocardiography Clinical Study, which will allow us to gather information about how this test was performed and how it has helped your doctors give you the most appropriate care. We will then use this information, along with information gathered from other hospitals to examine how stress echocardiography is performed across the country.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You have been invited to take part as you are on the waiting list for a stress echocardiogram at your local participating hospital.
What will this study involve?
During your appointment at your local hospital we would like to collect information from your medical records about your relevant medical history and the result of the stress echocardiogram. However, there will be no additional procedures or tests further to your planned clinical appointment. At a later date(s), we will review your medical records to see if you have had any heart-related hospital admissions or further investigations following on from your stress echocardiogram. We would like to be able to review your medical records for relevant information for up to ten years from the date of the stress echocardiogram.
If you agree to participate in this project then your stress echocardiogram will be organized and reported in exactly the same way as for those who are not taking part in the research study. The study will be carried out by the Consultant, or cardiac scientist/physiologist trained to lead a stress service in line with local Trust policy, to whom you have been referred by your doctor for the investigation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the central study team in Oxford on 01865 5 72841 or bse.nstep@cardiov.ox.ac.uk.
What will happen to my data?
For more information about how we will handle your data, please review our Privacy Notice here.