Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction: Diagnostic Necessity or Futile Effort in Patients With Non-Obstructive Angina?

BACKGROUND

Angina in the absence of stenosing coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is a common yet challenging condition often linked to endothelial dysfunction (ED), coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), and coronary spasm. ED is defined as a coronary blood flow (CBF) increase of < 50% or luminal narrowing of epicardial arteries in response to low-dose acetylcholine (ACh). The prevalence and clinical significance of isolated ED remain uncertain.

AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ED in ANOCA patients and assess its diagnostic value in comprehensive coronary function testing (CFT).

METHODS

Eighty ANOCA patients underwent invasive coronary angiography with low- and high-dose ACh testing, CBF measurement, and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA)-based coronary diameter assessment. CMD was defined as coronary flow reserve (CFR) < 2.5 and/or hyperemic microvascular resistance (HMR) > 2.5. Coronary spasm was diagnosed using the Coronary Vasomotor Disorders International Study Group (COVADIS) criteria.

RESULTS

ED was present in 67 patients (84%), while coronary spasm and CMD were detected in 80% and 45%, respectively. Spasm provocation and CMD testing provided a 90% diagnostic yield, increasing to 100% with ED assessment. All ANOCA patients without CMD or spasm had ED. Only 10% had isolated ED. Additionally, 27% of ED patients showed spasm at low-dose ACh, highlighting the need for comprehensive spasm testing.

CONCLUSIONS

ED is highly prevalent in ANOCA but rarely occurs in isolation. Since ED testing requires significant effort yet adds little to the overall diagnostic yield of CFT or the management of ANOCA patients, CFT should prioritize the assessment of spasm and CMD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was not registered in a public clinical trials registry as it did not meet the criteria for mandatory registration, being a non-interventional, observational study focused on diagnostic evaluation.