Ischemia With No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Are Misdiagnosis and Undertreatment Always Behind the Corner?

Giulia Ghizzoni1,2, Giulia Botti1,2, Filippo Russo1

  • 1Interventional Cardiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

JACC. Case Reports
|October 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) can be misdiagnosed due to varied symptoms. This report details 3 cases of INOCA misdiagnosis and their correct diagnostic pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is a frequent diagnosis in patients with chest pain undergoing coronary angiography.
  • Heterogeneous patient-reported symptoms in INOCA can lead to diagnostic challenges, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis and undertreatment.

Observation:

  • This report presents three clinical cases where INOCA was initially misdiagnosed.
  • The cases highlight the complexities arising from varied symptom presentation in INOCA.

Findings:

  • The study details the reinvestigation process for these misdiagnosed INOCA cases.
  • Appropriate diagnostic pathways were crucial in correctly identifying INOCA in these instances.

Implications:

  • Accurate and timely diagnosis of INOCA is essential for effective patient management.
  • Understanding the diagnostic nuances of INOCA can improve patient outcomes and prevent undertreatment.

Related Concept Videos

Angina II: Classification01:27

Angina II: Classification

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a chest pain resulting from diminished blood flow to the heart muscle and is often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina presents several variants with distinctive attributes, etiologies, and therapeutic approaches. The main types of angina include stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), microvascular, intractable, and silent ischemia.Stable angina is caused by atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the coronary...
7
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
1.3K
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses a spectrum of heart conditions caused by sudden obstruction of coronary arteries, typically resulting from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque and subsequent thrombus (blood clot) formation. This obstruction can lead to partial or complete blockage of blood flow, causing varying degrees of myocardial ischemia or infarction.ACS includes the following clinical entities:Unstable Angina (UA)Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)ST-Elevation...
30
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
20
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
9
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
13