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Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
[Chest pain and cardiovascular diseases in women : Diagnostics and treatment]
Janet-Jacqueline Olic1, Andrea Baessler2, Marcus Fischer3
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) affect women disproportionately, especially post-menopause. Early diagnosis of conditions like ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is crucial for effective prevention and treatment in women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology and Women's Health
- Understanding sex and gender differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology and clinical presentation.
Context:
- CVD is the leading cause of death globally for both men and women.
- Women experience a significant increase in CVD incidence post-menopause.
- Hormonal, anatomical, and sociocultural factors contribute to sex and gender disparities in CVD.
Purpose:
- To highlight CVD risk factors specific to women, including autoimmune and pregnancy-associated diseases.
- To emphasize the importance of considering ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) in women presenting with angina pectoris.
- To advocate for targeted diagnostics for coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and coronary spasms in symptomatic women.
Summary:
- Classical CVD risk factors are insufficient for women; specific factors like autoimmune and pregnancy-related conditions must be included in prevention strategies.
- Women with angina may have INOCA, often due to CMD or coronary spasms, necessitating further investigation beyond standard coronary angiography.
- Early, targeted diagnostic approaches for CMD and coronary spasms are essential for women with symptomatic coronary artery disease.
Impact:
- Improved primary and secondary prevention strategies for coronary heart disease (CHD) tailored to women's unique risk profiles.
- Enhanced diagnostic protocols for women experiencing angina, ensuring conditions like INOCA are identified and managed effectively.
- Reduced cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in women through a more comprehensive understanding and management of CVD.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality not only in men but also in women. The incidence of CVD significantly increases in women, especially after the menopause. Sex and gender differences in the incidence, prevalence and mortality of CVD are due to hormonal, anatomical, and sociocultural differences. As part of the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD), risk factors specific for women, such as autoimmune diseases and pregnancy-associated diseases (e.g., gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia) should also be taken into account in addition to the classical cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, in women with angina pectoris it should be considered that women in particular frequently suffer from ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) that can be caused, for example, by coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) or coronary spasms. Based on this, the diagnostics should not be terminated in symptomatic women after coronary angiography with normal epicardial vessels. A targeted diagnostics for CMD and coronary spasms should be carried out at an early stage.
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