Functional Impairment of Coronary Arteries; Clinical Implications and Further Evaluation

Approximately 20-30% of patients undergoing diagnostic angiography for the evaluation of angina are found to have a normal or non-obstructive coronary angiogram. This finding warrants further evaluation of the potential causes for the presenting angina beyond contrast filled arteries (so called lumenology). In addition, the epicardial coronary arteries are only one segment of the coronary circulation. Therefore, the etiologies should be evaluated with an in-depth focus on coronary vasomotor disorders including coronary vasospasm and microvascular disorders such as syndrome X, microvascular angina, the coronary slow flow phenomenon and microvascular spasm. This particular session is directed at discussing novel knowledge of the mechanisms and pathophysiology of vascular dysfunction.