Invasive assessment of the coronary microcirculation in the catheter laboratory

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular physiology
• Medical technology

Background:

• Historically, focus on epicardial coronary vessels overshadowed the microcirculation.
• Emerging evidence underscores the coronary microcirculation's impact on patient outcomes in various clinical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physiology of the coronary microcirculation.
• To evaluate invasive techniques for assessing microvascular function in the catheter laboratory.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of invasive methods for coronary microcirculation assessment.
• Discussion of the physiological principles governing coronary microvascular function.

Main Results:

• Coronary microcirculation plays a vital role in cardiovascular health.
• Invasive techniques offer valuable tools for interrogating microvascular function.

Conclusions:

• Accurate assessment of coronary microcirculation is essential for clinical practice.
• Further understanding and application of invasive techniques can improve patient care.