Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Single-Center...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Medicine
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) affects many patients, with or without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Risk factors for CMD development remain unclear, especially regarding sex-based differences in traditional cardiovascular risk factors for obstructive CAD in CMD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and sex in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Main Methods:

• A single-center, prospective registry enrolled 245 patients with nonobstructive CAD undergoing invasive assessment of coronary microvascular function.
• Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to analyze associations between CMD, risk factors, and sex.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of CMD was similar in women (59.0%) and men (57.0%).
• No association was found between traditional coronary atherosclerosis risk factors and CMD in the overall population.
• In women only, older age and previous ischemic heart disease were associated with reduced coronary flow reserve and resistive reserve ratio.

Conclusions:

• Traditional risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis are not associated with CMD in the general population studied.
• Older age and prior ischemic heart disease are independently associated with CMD specifically in women.
• Further research is needed in larger cohorts to fully elucidate the risk factors for CMD.