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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
08:35
Oxygenation-sensitive Cardiac MRI with Vasoactive Breathing Maneuvers for the Non-invasive Assessment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction
Published on: August 17, 2022
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Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: What Clinicians and Investigators Should Know.
Paul Marano1, Janet Wei1,2, C Noel Bairey Merz3,4
1Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Smidt Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|June 20, 2023
Summary
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) affects patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease, particularly women. Diagnosis and stratified therapy improve symptoms and myocardial blood flow, with ongoing research for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) plays a key role in cardiovascular disease pathophysiology.
- CMD is frequently observed in patients with ischemia and no obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (INOCA), especially women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).
- To highlight key clinical takeaways regarding CMD diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on coronary microvascular dysfunction.
- Analysis of diagnostic methodologies (invasive and non-invasive) for CMD.
- Evaluation of therapeutic strategies and ongoing research.
Main Results:
- CMD is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
- Stratified medical therapy guided by invasive coronary function testing improves symptoms in INOCA patients.
- Existing treatments enhance symptoms and myocardial blood flow.
Conclusions:
- CMD is a significant factor in various cardiovascular conditions.
- Accurate diagnosis and subtype-specific treatment are crucial for managing CMD.
- Further research is needed to develop therapies that improve long-term adverse outcomes associated with CMD.
Keywords:
Coronary flow reserveCoronary function testingCoronary microvascular dysfunctionIschemia with no obstructive coronary artery diseaseMicrovascular anginaMore Related Videos
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