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Updated: May 6, 2026
Retrograde Perfusion and Filling of Mouse Coronary Vasculature as Preparation for Micro Computed Tomography Imaging
Published on: February 10, 2012
Is the peripheral microcirculation a window into the human coronary microvasculature?
Gopika SenthilKumar1, Stephen T Hammond2, Zachary Zirgibel3
1Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States.
Insights
The peripheral microcirculation may serve as a valuable surrogate for assessing coronary microvascular health. Studying peripheral endothelial function can offer insights into cardiovascular disease mechanisms and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Microvascular dysfunction, particularly in the coronary endothelium, is a significant risk factor for major adverse cardiac events.
- Current methods for evaluating coronary microvasculature are often invasive and costly.
- The peripheral microcirculation offers a more accessible alternative for studying microvascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate studies assessing the peripheral microcirculation as a surrogate for coronary microvascular health.
- To determine if peripheral microcirculation can provide insights into coronary microvascular dysfunction.
- To explore the potential of peripheral microcirculation in predicting cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of prognostic, physiological, and mechanistic studies in humans.
- Analysis of existing evidence correlating coronary and peripheral endothelial function.
- Evaluation of the response of peripheral microvasculature to (patho)physiological stress.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a correlation between human coronary and peripheral endothelial function in vivo.
- The peripheral microvasculature exhibits similar responses to stress as the coronary microvasculature.
- Peripheral microcirculation can be leveraged to study mechanisms of coronary microvascular dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- The peripheral microcirculation shows promise as a non-invasive surrogate for assessing coronary microvascular health.
- Endothelial health is a key factor linking coronary and peripheral microvascular beds.
- Peripheral microcirculation studies may aid in developing therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
An increasing body of evidence suggests a pivotal role for the microvasculature in the development of cardiovascular disease. A dysfunctional coronary microvascular network, specifically within endothelial cells-the inner most cell layer of vessels-is considered a strong, independent risk factor for future major adverse cardiac events. However, challenges exist with evaluating this critical vascular bed, as many of the currently available techniques are highly invasive and cost prohibitive. The more easily accessible peripheral microcirculation has surfaced as a potential surrogate in which to study mechanisms of coronary microvascular dysfunction and likewise may be used to predict poor cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we critically evaluate a variety of prognostic, physiological, and mechanistic studies in humans to answer whether the peripheral microcirculation can add insight into coronary microvascular health. A conceptual framework is proposed that the health of the endothelium specifically may link the coronary and peripheral microvascular beds. This is supported by evidence showing a correlation between human coronary and peripheral endothelial function in vivo. Although not a replacement for investigating and understanding coronary microvascular function, the microvascular endothelium from the periphery responds similarly to (patho)physiological stress and may be leveraged to explore potential therapeutic pathways to mitigate stress-induced damage.
