Acute chest pain is a common concern for which patients present to the emergency department. Nonetheless, many patients with acute chest pain indicative of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) show nonobstructed coronary arteries at invasive coronary angiography or coronary CT angiography (CCTA), which is a clinical conundrum in day-to-day practice. Guidelines recommend that the initial course of action for patients experiencing acute chest pain is to exclude extracardiac and cardiac conditions that could cause nonischemic myocardial damage, including aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, or septic shock. The generic term troponin-positive with nonobstructed coronary arteries (TpNOCA) was coined to refer to patients with nonobstructed coronary arteries who present with clinical symptoms and signs of ACS and increased cardiac troponin levels, electrocardiographic changes, or both. The causes of TpNOCA may be ischemic (eg, myocardial infarction with nonobstructed coronary arteries [MINOCA] or ischemia with nonobstructed coronary arteries [INOCA]) or nonischemic (eg, extracardiac and cardiac entities). MINOCA and INOCA are working diagnostic terms used until a definitive cause is established (eg, coronary plaque rupture, coronary artery dissection, or coronary microvascular disease). Noninvasive cardiac imaging techniques, notably CCTA and cardiac MRI, and ischemia testing are pivotal in evaluating and treating these patients through accurate identification of the underlying cause, improvement in risk stratification, and guidance for clinicians in decision making for treatment and follow-up. ©RSNA, 2025.

Background/Objectives: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a heterogenous clinical entity that differs in pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis from myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD) and MINOCA mimickers, such as myocarditis or Takotsubo syndrome. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, management strategies, and long-term outcomes of patients with true MINOCA, MI-CAD, and MINOCA mimickers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1596 patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between 2012 and 2024 at a tertiary university hospital. Patients were classified as having true MINOCA, MI-CAD, or MINOCA mimickers based on coronary angiography and advanced cardiac imaging. Data included clinical and laboratory variables, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). All-cause mortality was analyzed using Cox regression. Results: Of 1596 AMI patients, 111 (7.0%) had true MINOCA, 1359 (85.1%) had MI-CAD, and 127 (8.0%) had MINOCA mimickers. Mimicker patients were significantly younger and had fewer cardiovascular risk factors. True MINOCA was more frequent in females and associated with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and lower high-sensitivity troponin T levels compared to MI-CAD. CMR and CCTA contributed to etiological clarification in over 70% of MINOCA and mimicker patients. High-risk plaque features were observed in 42.9% of CCTA scans, suggesting but not confirming an atherosclerotic mechanism. Long-term all-cause mortality in MINOCA was similar to MI-CAD (32.1% vs. 30.9%, p = 0.764) and significantly higher than in mimickers (5.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: True MINOCA is a distinct clinical entity with diagnostic and prognostic implications. Its comparable mortality to MI-CAD highlights the need for accurate diagnosis and targeted secondary prevention strategies.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are not fully understood, particularly in Japan.

We enrolled a total of 8881 patients with acute MI from the Miyagi Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Study (2012-2020), with a median age of 69 years. Among them, 239 patients (2.7%) were diagnosed with MINOCA. Compared with those with MI with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD), patients with MINOCA were more often women, had a higher incidence of non-ST-segment-elevation MI and a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia. Compared with patients with MI-CAD, patients with MINOCA in all age groups (<59, 60-69, 70-79, >80 years of age) had a higher incidence of non-ST-segment-elevation MI. Additionally, those ≤59 years of age were more often women and had a lower prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia. In-hospital mortality increased with age in patients with MI-CAD (3.9% for <59 years of age, 5.6% for 60-69 years of age, 8.3% for 70-79 years of age, and 15.2% for >80 years of age; P<0.01), but not in patients with MINOCA (4.5%, 7.4%, 6.0%, and 9.6%, respectively; P=0.36). Compared with patients with MI-CAD, patients with MINOCA had lower in-hospital mortality for Killip class IV (40.7% versus 20.0%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.31 [95% CI, 0.10-0.94]; P=0.04) and renal dysfunction (20.0% versus 7.1%; adjusted OR, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.09-0.96]; P=0.04).

Patients with MINOCA exhibit distinct clinical characteristics and outcomes compared with those with MI-CAD, particularly in terms of age, sex, prevalence of comorbidities, and in-hospital mortality. These findings underscore the importance of tailored clinical approaches for patients with MINOCA.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is an important, often underrecognized working diagnosis. MINOCA is defined as an acute MI in a patient whose coronary angiography reveals no significant obstructive coronary artery disease. A comprehensive diagnostic approach beyond the initial coronary angiogram is essential for identifying this heterogeneous infarction pathophysiology. Distinguishing disease-specific causes affects patient management and prognosis, especially in female patients. This article provides an evidence-based overview of the tailored management strategies and ongoing clinical research likely to shape future guidelines.

A hypertensive crisis is a severe condition characterized by a sudden, critical rise in blood pressure, which can lead to organ damage. Myocardial infarction occurring in the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis is referred to as myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Patients with leprosy may develop erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), a serious inflammatory condition that can impair cardiovascular health and is frequently treated with corticosteroids. In this case, we describe a 52-year-old male patient, known to have hypertension, who complained of breathlessness, facial edema, and chest pain. Additional testing indicated hypertension, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and an ECG that showed characteristics of a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). When coronary angiography was performed, non-obstructive epicardial coronary arteries were discovered.

Patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) present as a main feature ≤50% stenosis upon angiography despite clinical symptoms and biomarker elevation related to acute coronary syndrome. Due to broad availability of high sensitivity troponin testing as well as invasive and non-invasive imaging, this clinical entity receives increasing clinical awareness.

We aimed to investigate the in-hospital work flow and economic impact of MINOCA vs. MICAD (myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease) patients and related clinical outcomes in a single-center patient collective of a large university heart center in Germany.

We retrospectively screened and analyzed all patients who were admitted to our hospital under the suspicion of an acute coronary syndrome within a 12-month period (2017-2018) for further diagnostics and treatment. All included patients showed a pathological troponin elevation and received invasive coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome. Associated in-hospital costs, procedural and various clinical parameters as well as timelines and parameters of work-flow were obtained.

After screening of 3,021 patients, we included 660 patients with acute coronary syndrome. Of those, 118 patients were attributed to the MINOCA-group. 542 patients presented with a "classical" myocardial infarction (MICAD group). MINOCA patients were less frail, more likely female, but showed no relevant difference in age or other selected comorbidities except for fewer cases of diabetes. In-hospital mortality (11% vs. 0%; p < 0.001) and 30-day mortality (17.3% vs. 4.2%; p < 0.001) after the index event were significantly higher in the "classical" myocardial infarction group (MICAD)- Despite a shorter overall length of hospital stay (9.5 ± 8.7 days vs. 12.3 ± 10.5 days, p < 0.01) with a significantly shorter duration of high care monitoring (intensive/intermediate care or chest pain units) (2.4 ± 2.1 days vs. 4.7 ± 3.3 days, p < 0.01) MINOCA patients consumed a relevant contingent of hospital resources. Thus, in a 12-months period a total sum of almost 300 days was attributed to high care monitoring for MINOCA patients with a mean difference of approximately 50% compared to patients with classical myocardial infarction. With average and median costs of 50% less per index, MINOCA treatment costs were lower compared to the MICAD group in the hospital reimbursement system of Germany. Consequently, MINOCA treatment was not associated with a relevant profit for these expanses and a relevant share of nearly 40% of the total costs was generated due to high care monitoring.

In light of lower mortality than MICAD and growing scarcity of staff, financial and capacity resources the clinical symptom complex of MINOCA should be put under particular consideration for refining care concepts and resource allocation.

A man in late adolescence of Asian descent was admitted with cardiac-sounding chest pain and a history of flu-like symptoms a week prior to presentation with negative screening for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. His ECG showed lateral T-wave changes and pre-excitation pattern suggestive of an accessory pathway. High-sensitivity troponin T peak was significantly elevated to 2550 ng/L (normal reference range 0-11). He was initially treated for a suspected perimyocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction with regional wall motion abnormalities suggestive of coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed subendocardial delayed gadolinium enhancement with ischaemia and viability in the left circumflex (LCx) territory. He was then sent for a CT coronary angiogram for a suspected spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and subsequently, he discussed with our team and accepted for immediate transfer. He underwent coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention to his LCx artery with a drug-coated balloon. Following that, and after a discussion with the electrophysiology team, he had an attempt at ablating his accessory pathway with partial success. He was discharged home in a stable condition.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) constitutes a significant subset of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) with uncertain prognostic markers. Early risk assessment is crucial to identify MINOCA patients at risk of adverse outcomes.

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive capacity of the PRECISE-DAPT score in assessing short- and long-term prognoses in MINOCA patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Among 741 MINOCA patients, the PRECISE-DAPT score was computed to analyze its association with in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Parameters showing significance in MACE (+) groups underwent statistical analysis: univariate logistic regression for in-hospital events and univariate Cox regression for follow-up events. For statistical significance, a predefined level of α = 0.05 was adopted. Parameters demonstrating significance proceeded to multiple logistic regression for in-hospital events and multivariate Cox regression for follow-up events.

In-hospital MACE occurred in 4.1% of patients, while 58% experienced follow-up MACE. Hemoglobin levels and the PRECISE-DAPT Score were identified as independent parameters for in-hospital MACE. Furthermore, ejection fraction (EF%) and the PRECISE-DAPT Score emerged as independent predictors of follow-up MACE.

The study revealed that a higher PRECISE-DAPT score was significantly associated with increased risks of both in-hospital and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events in MINOCA patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), underscoring the score's potential in risk stratification for this patient cohort.

_ PRECISE-DAPT score predicts MACE risk in MINOCA patients.

_ Hemoglobin level and PRECISE-DAPT score predict in-hospital MACE.

_ Ejection fraction and PRECISE-DAPT score predict long-term MACE.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is defined by the presence of positive cardiac biomarkers with clinical evidence of infarction, the absence of significant coronary stenosis (≥50%) on angiography, and the lack of alternative diagnosis for the index presentation. MINOCA poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to the various pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying its presentation. Coronary artery plaque disruption is recognized as a crucial mechanism contributing to MINOCA. Plaque rupture and thrombus formation with subsequent myocardial ischemia may occur without significant luminal narrowing. A high index of suspicion is needed to make an early diagnosis. Here, a 68-year-old African American male patient presented with substernal chest pain, nonspecific ST segment changes on electrocardiogram, and elevation in cardiac biomarkers only one day after undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization that revealed non-obstructed coronary arteries. This case provides an example of MINOCA occurring secondary to suspected coronary artery plaque disruption in the setting of recent cardiac catheterization.

For decades, we have been treating patients presenting with angina and concerning electrocardiographic changes indicative of ischemia or injury, in whom no culprit epicardial coronary stenosis was found during diagnostic coronary angiography. Unfortunately, the clinical outcomes of these patients were not better than those with recognized obstructive coronary disease. Improvements in technology have allowed us to better characterize these patients. Consequently, an increasing number of patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) or myocardial infarction in the absence of coronary artery disease (MINOCA) have now gained formal recognition and are more commonly encountered in clinical practice. Although both entities might share functional similarities at their core, they pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Unless we become more proficient in identifying these patients, particularly those at higher risk, morbidity and mortality outcomes will not improve. Though this field remains in constant flux, data continue to become available. Therefore, we thought it would be useful to highlight important milestones that have been recognized so we can all learn about these clinical entities. Despite all the progress made regarding INOCA and MINOCA, many important knowledge gaps continue to exist. For the time being, prompt identification and early diagnosis remain crucial in managing these patients. Even though we are still not clear whether intensive medical therapy alters clinical outcomes, we remain vigilant and wait for more data.

Assay-specific increases in circulating cardiac troponin are observed in 20-40% of patients after noncardiac surgery, depending on patient age, type of surgery, and comorbidities. Increased cardiac troponin is consistently associated with excess morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. Despite these findings, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The majority of interventional trials have been designed on the premise that ischaemic cardiac disease drives elevated perioperative cardiac troponin concentrations. We consider data showing that elevated circulating cardiac troponin after surgery could be a nonspecific marker of cardiomyocyte stress. Elevated concentrations of circulating cardiac troponin could reflect coordinated pathological processes underpinning organ injury that are not necessarily caused by ischaemia. Laboratory studies suggest that matching of coronary artery autoregulation and myocardial perfusion-contraction coupling limit the impact of systemic haemodynamic changes in the myocardium, and that type 2 ischaemia might not be the likeliest explanation for cardiac troponin elevation in noncardiac surgery. The perioperative period triggers multiple pathological mechanisms that might cause cardiac troponin to cross the sarcolemma. A two-hit model involving two or more triggers including systemic inflammation, haemodynamic strain, adrenergic stress, and autonomic dysfunction might exacerbate or initiate acute myocardial injury directly in the absence of cell death. Consideration of these diverse mechanisms is pivotal for the design and interpretation of interventional perioperative trials.

Symptomatic women with angina are more likely to have ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) compared to men. In both men and women, the finding of INOCA is not benign and is associated with adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, heart failure and angina hospitalizations. Women with INOCA have more angina and a lower quality of life compared to men, but they are often falsely reassured because of a lack of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and a perception of low risk. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a key pathophysiologic contributor to INOCA, and non-invasive imaging methods are used to detect impaired microvascular flow. Coronary vasospasm is another mechanism of INOCA, and can co-exist with CMD, but usually requires invasive coronary function testing (CFT) with provocation testing for a definitive diagnosis. In addition to traditional heart disease risk factors, inflammatory, hormonal and psychological risk factors that impact microvascular tone are implicated in INOCA. Treatment of risk factors and use of anti-atherosclerotic and anti-anginal medications offer benefit. Increasing awareness and early referral to specialized centers that focus on INOCA management can improve patient-oriented outcomes. However, large, randomized treatment trials to investigate the impact on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are needed. In this focused review, we discuss the prevalence, pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment of INOCA.

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) is a rare but critical condition during surgery. Clinical manifestations can vary from only subtle electrocardiography change to sudden death. In this case report, we present the case of a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) who developed refractory CAS-related cardiogenic shock during thymoma surgery.

A 61-year-old man had a history of cigarette smoking and coronary artery disease with a bare metal stent placed. Three months ago, he suffered from coronary spasms, with three vessels involved, after surgery for cervical spine injury. He started having progressive dysphagia 4 wk prior and was diagnosed with MG via serologic tests, and computed tomography declared a thymoma in the anterior mediastinum. After the symptoms of MG subsided, he was referred for thymectomy. The operation was uneventful until the closing of the sternal wound. Electrocardiography showed sudden onset ST elevation, followed by ventricular tachycardia and severe hypotension. Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation was initiated immediately with electrical defibrillation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed due to refractory cardiogenic shock, and the patient was transferred to an angiography room. Angiography showed diffuse CAS with three vessels involved. Intracoronary isosorbide dinitrate and adenosine were administered, and then the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit.

Our case highlights the importance of being prepared for clinical situations such as the one described here and suggests the necessity of developing an appropriate anesthesia plan that includes proactive analgesia and preemptive coronary vasodilators.

Myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) diagnostic work-up, risk stratification and tailored therapies are emerging as the recognition of this type of MI is increasingly recognized. Diagnostic workup using advanced imaging can include coronary angiography/intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)/optical coherent tomography (OCT), echo and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Risk stratification portends an intermediate risk compared to multivessel obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). While event rates are high enough to warrant concern, they are relatively low enough to require trials with large sample sizes and hard outcomes. Tailored therapies include common sense therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) and optimal medical therapy (OMT) due to the high prevalence of non-obstructive CAD, however therapeutic clinical trials are needed. Currently one large outcome trial in ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is ongoing.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a distinct subtype of myocardial infarction (MI), occurring in about 8-10% of spontaneous MI cases referred for coronary angiography. Unlike MI with obstructive coronary artery disease, MINOCA's pathogenesis is more intricate and heterogeneous, involving mechanisms such as coronary thromboembolism, coronary vasospasm, microvascular dysfunction, dissection, or plaque rupture. Diagnosing MINOCA presents challenges and includes invasive and non-invasive strategies aiming to differentiate it from alternative diagnoses and confirm the criteria of elevated cardiac biomarkers, non-obstructive coronary arteries, and the absence of alternate explanations for the acute presentation. Tailored management strategies for MINOCA hinge on identifying the underlying cause of the infarction, necessitating systematic diagnostic approaches. Furthermore, determining the optimal post-MINOCA medication regimen remains uncertain. This review aims to comprehensively address the current state of knowledge, encompassing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, in the context of MINOCA while also highlighting the evolving landscape and future directions for advancing our understanding and management of this intricate myocardial infarction subtype.

Coronary flow reserve (CFR) with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has an important role in the diagnosis of coronary microvascular disease (CMD), aids risk stratification and may be useful in monitoring therapy. CMD contributes to symptoms and a worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), nonischemic cardiomyopathies, and heart failure. CFR measurements may improve our understanding of the role of CMD in symptoms and prognosis in CAD and other cardiovascular diseases. The clinical presentation of CAD has changed. The prevalence of nonobstructive CAD has increased to about 50% of patients with angina undergoing angiography. Ischemia with nonobstructive arteries (INOCA) is recognized as an important cause of symptoms and has an adverse prognosis. Patients with INOCA may have ischemia due to CMD, epicardial vasospasm or diffuse nonobstructive CAD. Reduced CFR in patients with INOCA identifies a high-risk group that may benefit from management strategies specific for CMD. Although measurement of CFR by PET/CT has excellent accuracy and repeatability, use is limited by cost and availability. CFR measurement with single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is feasible, validated, and would increase availability and use of CFR. Patients with CMD can be identified by reduced CFR and selected for specific therapies.

The universal definition of acute myocardial infarction (MI) requires both evidence of myocardial injury and myocardial ischaemia. In MINOCA (MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries), patients must fulfil this MI criteria, but is their chest pain similar to those who have MI with obstructive CAD (MICAD)? This study compares prospectively collected chest pain features between patients with MINOCA and MICAD. Utilising the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA), consecutive MI patients were categorized as MINOCA or MICAD based on angiographic findings. Chest pain data were collected via direct patient interviews by trained staff members. Of 6811 consecutive patients fulfilling a clinical MI diagnosis, 411 (6.0%) were MINOCA, and 5948 MICAD. The MINOCA patients were younger, more often female and had less cardiovascular risk factors than those with MICAD. There were no significant differences in chest pain characteristics between the MINOCA and MICAD cohorts in relation to pain location, quality, associated symptoms, or duration. In conclusion, MINOCA patients have chest pain characteristics that are indistinguishable from MICAD patients, suggesting that their pain is ischaemic in nature. Thus, in the presence of positive myocardial injury markers, ischaemic chest pain fulfils the universal criteria for MI, despite the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Myocardial infarction with Non Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA) is defined by patients presenting with signs and symptoms similar to acute myocardial infarction, but are found to have non-obstructive coronary arteries angiography. What was once considered a benign phenomenon, MINOCA has been proven to carry with it significant morbidity and worse mortality when compared to the general population. As the awareness for MINOCA has increased, guidelines have focused on this unique situation. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has proven to be an essential first step in the diagnosis of patients with suspected MINOCA. CMR has also been shown to be crucial when differentiating between MINOCA like presentations such as myocarditis, takotsubo and other forms of cardiomyopathy. The following review focuses on demographics of patients with MINOCA, their unique clinical presentation as well as the role of CMR in the evaluation of MINOCA.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is common in current clinical practice. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) plays an important role in its management and is increasingly recommended by all the current guidelines. However, the prognostic value of CMR in patients with MINOCA is still undetermined.

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of CMR in the management of patients with MINOCA.

A systematic review was performed to identify studies reporting the results of CMR findings in patients with MINOCA. Random effects models were used to determine the prevalence of different disease entities: myocarditis, myocardial infarction (MI), or takotsubo syndrome. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value of CMR diagnosis in the subgroup of studies that reported clinical outcomes.

A total of 26 studies comprising 3,624 patients were included. The mean age was 54.2 ± 5.3 years, and 56% were men. MINOCA was confirmed in only 22% (95% CI: 0.17-0.26) of the cases and 68% of patients with initial MINOCA were reclassified after the CMR assessment. The pooled prevalence of myocarditis was 31% (95% CI: 0.25-0.39), and takotsubo syndrome 10% (95% CI: 0.06-0.12). In a subgroup analysis of 5 studies (770 patients) that reported clinical outcomes, CMR diagnosis of confirmed MI was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (pooled OR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.60-3.59).

In patients with MINOCA, CMR has been demonstrated to add an important diagnostic and prognostic value, proving to be crucial for the diagnosis of this condition. Sixty-eight percent of patients with initial MINOCA were reclassified after the CMR evaluation. CMR-confirmed diagnosis of MINOCA was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events at follow-up.

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is common and linked to worse cardiovascular events and life-threatening arrhythmias. However, the clinical implication of CSF among myocardial infarction with the non-obstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) has never been studied. We aimed to evaluate the impact of CSF on the MINOCA population.

Patients diagnosed with MINOCA were consecutively selected. The corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) was used to evaluate the coronary flow. CSF was defined as cTFC greater than 27 frames per second (FPS) in any of the three coronary arteries. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are the primary endpoint. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between CSF and MACE.

A total of 158 patients with MINOCA were enrolled, of which 54 (34.2%) patients had CSF. Forty incidents of MACE occurred during the median 28 months of follow-up. The MACE incidence was higher among patients who presented with CSF than the normal coronary flow patients (35.2% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.040). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, CSF patients had significantly higher rates of MACE (log-rank P = 0.034). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CSF was an independent predictor linked to an increased hazard of MACE (adjusted HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.34-5.67; P = 0.006).

The presence of CSF is associated with a higher risk of adverse events and is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes among patients with MINOCA. This result suggests that CSF might serve as a robust tool to stratify MINOCA patients.

Myocardial ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a chronic coronary syndrome condition that is increasingly being recognized as a substantial contributor to adverse cardiovascular mortality and outcomes, including myocardial infarction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). While INOCA occurs in both women and men, women are more likely to have the finding of INOCA and are more adversely impacted by angina, with recurrent hospitalizations and a lower quality of life with this condition. Abnormal epicardial coronary vascular function and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) have been identified in a majority of INOCA patients on invasive coronary function testing. CMD can co-exist with obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD), diffuse non-obstructive epicardial CAD, and with coronary vasospasm. Epicardial vasospasm can also occur with normal coronary arteries that have no atherosclerotic plaque on intravascular imaging. While all predisposing factors are not clearly understood, cardiometabolic risk factors, and endothelium dependent and independent mechanisms that increase oxidative stress and inflammation are associated with microvascular injury, CMD and INOCA. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction has also been implicated in abnormal vasoreactivity and persistent symptoms. INOCA is under-recognized and under-diagnosed, partly due to the heterogenous patient populations and mechanisms. However, diagnostic testing methods are available to guide INOCA management. Treatment of INOCA is evolving, and focuses on cardiac risk factor control, improving ischemia, reducing atherosclerosis progression, and improving angina and quality of life. This review focuses on INOCA, relations to HFpEF, available diagnostics, current and investigational therapeutic strategies, and knowledge gaps in this condition.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a medical condition mostly due to emotional or physical stress which frequently leads to misdiagnosis or late diagnosis. Patients tend to present initially with acute heart failure or acute coronary syndrome to our emergency department. Here we describe a patient with no history of cardiovascular disease, who developed TTS due to emotional stress from the death of her husband and then fully recovered during follow-up.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disease defined by thrombotic events occurring in patients with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies. Cardiac manifestations in critically-ill APS patients are poorly investigated. We conducted a study to assess the prevalence, the characteristics and the prognosis of cardiac manifestations in thrombotic APS patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU).

A French, national, multicentre, retrospective study, conducted, from January 2000 to September 2018, including all APS patients admitted to 24 participating centres' ICUs with any new thrombotic (arterial, venous or microvascular) manifestation. Cardiac manifestations were defined as any new cardiac abnormalities relying on clinical examination, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and coronarography. One hundred and thirty-six patients (female 72%) were included. Mean age at ICU admission was 46 ± 15years. Cardiac manifestations were present in 71 patients (53%). In patients with cardiac involvement, median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 40% [28-55], troponin was elevated in 93% patients, coronary angiogram (n = 19, 27%) disclosing a coronary obstruction in 21%. CMR (n = 21) was abnormal in all cases, with late gadolinium enhancement in 62% of cases. Cardiac manifestations were associated with a non-significant increase of mortality (32% vs. 19%, p = 0.08). After 1-year follow-up, median LVEF was 57% [44-60] in patients with cardiac involvement.

Cardiac involvement is frequent in critically-ill thrombotic APS patients and may be associated to more severe outcome. Increased awareness on this rare cause of myocardial infarction with or without obstructive coronary artery is urgently needed.

Women with coronary artery disease tend to have a worse short and long-term prognosis relative to men and the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing. Women are less likely to present with classic anginal symptoms when compared with men and more likely to be misdiagnosed. Several non-invasive imaging modalities are available for diagnosing ischemic heart disease in women and many of these modalities can also assist with prognostication and help to guide management. Selection of the optimal imaging modality to evaluate women with possible ischemic heart disease is a scenario which clinicians often encounter. Earlier modalities such as exercise treadmill testing demonstrate significant performance variation in men and women, while newer modalities such as coronary CT angiography, myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are highly specific and sensitive for the detection of ischemia and coronary artery disease with greater parity between sexes. Individual factors, availability, diagnostic performance, and female-specific considerations such as pregnancy status may influence the decision to select one modality over another. Emerging techniques such as strain rate imaging, CT-myocardial perfusion imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging present additional options for diagnosing ischemia and coronary microvascular dysfunction.

The early prediction of significant coronary artery lesion, including coronary vasospasm, have yet to be studied. It is essential to discern the disorders with significant coronary lesions (SCDs) requiring coronary angiography from mimicking disease. We aimed to determine which of all clinical variables were more important using conventional logistic regression (cLR) and machine learning (ML).

Of 3382 patients with chest pain/discomfort or dyspnea in whom CAG was performed, 1893 were included. All clinical data were divided as follows (i): Demographics, history, and physical examination; (ii): (i) plus electrocardiography; and (iii): (ii) plus echocardiography, and analyzed by cLR and ML.

In multivariable analysis via cLR, the AUC and accuracy of the model using the final 20 variables were 0.795 and 72.62%, respectively. In multivariable analysis via ML, the best AUCs in the internal validation were 0.8 with (i), 0.81 with (ii), 0.83 with (iii), and in external validation, the best AUCs were 0.71 with (i), 0.74 with (ii), and 0.79 with (iii). The best AUCs and accuracy of the fittest model including 21 importance variables by ML were 0.81 and 72.48% in internal validation; and 0.75 and 70.5% in external validation, respectively. The importance variables in ML and cLR were similar, but slightly different and the additional discriminators via ML were found.

The assessment using the fittest importance variables can assist physicians in differentiating mimicking diseases in which coronary angiography may not be required in patients suspected of having acute coronary syndrome in emergency department.

The coronary microvasculature is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to myocardial tissue. A healthy microvasculature with an intact and properly functioning endothelium accomplishes this by seemless changes in vascular tone to match supply and demand. Perturbations in the normal physiology of the microvasculature, including endothelial and/or vascular smooth muscle dysfunction, result in impaired function (vasoconstriction, antithrombotic, etc.) and structural (hypertrophic, fibrotic) abnormalities that lead to microvascular ischemia and potential organ damage. While coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is the primary pathologic driving force in ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), angina with no obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA), and myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA), it may be a bystander in many cardiac disorders which later become pathologically associated with signs and/or symptoms of myocardial ischemia. Importantly, regardless of the primary or secondary basis of CMD in the heart, it is associated with important increases in morbidity and mortality. In this review we discuss salient features pertaining to known pathophysiologic mechanisms driving CMD, the spectrum of heart diseases where it places a critical role, invasive and non-invasive diagnostic testing, management strategies, and the gaps in knowledge where future research efforts are needed.

The objective of this study was to investigate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction with non-occlusive coronary arteries (MINOCA).

Thirty-five patients with MINOCA (average age 54.26 ± 12.24 years) and thirty-five patients with ischemia with non-obstructed coronary artery disease (INOCA) (average age 55.20 ± 8.36 years) were enrolled in the study. All clinical conditions that could affect left ventricular functions were considered exclusion criteria. Echocardiographic studies were conducted in the patient and control groups in the left lateral decubitus position using a medical ultrasound device (EPIQ 7, Philips Medical System, USA). The left ventricle was examined longitudinally with apical images of chamber 4-3-2 using the available software (QLAB 6.0).

There were no differences in age, blood pressure level, baseline echocardiogram measurements, and tissue Doppler parameters between the two groups. In two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) measurements, left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain rate in systole, early and late diastole from apical 4-3-2 chamber and global measurements of each parameter were significantly decreased in the MINOCA group compared to the INOCA group (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the global longitudinal strain rate and the troponin I in the MINOCA patients group (r=-0.43 p = 0.009).

Our study showed that while standard echocardiographic parameters for patients diagnosed with MINOCA were normal, their left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were reduced by the 2D-STE method.

Acute coronary syndrome is a common medical emergency. The optimal strategy to investigate patients who are at intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome has not been fully determined.

To investigate the role of early computed tomography coronary angiography in the investigation and treatment of adults presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome.

A prospective, multicentre, open, parallel-group randomised controlled trial with blinded end-point adjudication.

Thirty-seven hospitals in the UK.

Adults (aged ≥ 18 years) presenting to the emergency department, acute medicine services or cardiology department with suspected or provisionally diagnosed acute coronary syndrome and at least one of the following: (1) a prior history of coronary artery disease, (2) a cardiac troponin level > 99th centile and (3) an abnormal 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Early computed tomography coronary angiography in addition to standard care was compared with standard care alone. Participants were followed up for 1 year.

One-year all-cause death or subsequent type 1 (spontaneous) or type 4b (stent thrombosis) myocardial infarction, measured as the time to such event adjudicated by two cardiologists blinded to the computerised tomography coronary angiography ( CTCA ) arm. Cost-effectiveness was estimated as the lifetime incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained.

Between 23 March 2015 and 27 June 2019, 1748 participants [mean age 62 years (standard deviation 13 years), 64% male, mean Global Registry Of Acute Coronary Events score 115 (standard deviation 35)] were randomised to receive early computed tomography coronary angiography (n = 877) or standard care alone (n = 871). The primary end point occurred in 51 (5.8%) participants randomised to receive computed tomography coronary angiography and 53 (6.1%) participants randomised to receive standard care (adjusted hazard ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 1.35; p = 0.65). Computed tomography coronary angiography was associated with a reduced use of invasive coronary angiography (adjusted hazard ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 0.92; p = 0.001) but no change in coronary revascularisation (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.87 to 1.21; p = 0.76), acute coronary syndrome therapies (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 1.32; p = 0.63) or preventative therapies on discharge (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.87 to 1.32; p = 0.52). Early computed tomography coronary angiography was associated with longer hospitalisations (median increase 0.21 days, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.40 days) and higher mean total health-care costs over 1 year (£561 more per patient) than standard care.

The principal limitation of the trial was the slower than anticipated recruitment, leading to a revised sample size, and the requirement to compromise and accept a larger relative effect size estimate for the trial intervention.

The potential role of computed tomography coronary angiography in selected patients with a low probability of obstructive coronary artery disease (intermediate or mildly elevated level of troponin) or who have limited access to invasive cardiac catheterisation facilities needs further prospective evaluation.

In patients with suspected or provisionally diagnosed acute coronary syndrome, computed tomography coronary angiography did not alter overall coronary therapeutic interventions or 1-year clinical outcomes, but it did increase the length of hospital stay and health-care costs. These findings do not support the routine use of early computed tomography coronary angiography in intermediate-risk patients with acute chest pain.

This trial is registered as ISRCTN19102565 and Clinical Trials NCT02284191.

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 37. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Data on the interplay between sexual hormones balance, platelet function and clinical outcomes of adults with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are still lacking.

To assess the association between the Testosterone (T)-to-Estradiol (E2) Ratio (T/E2) and platelet activation biomarkers in IHD and its predictive value on adverse outcomes.

The EVA study is a prospective observational study of consecutive hospitalized adults with IHD undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary interventions. Serum T/E2 ratios E2, levels of thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and nitrates (NO), were measured at admission and major adverse events, including all-cause mortality, were collected during a long-term follow-up.

Among 509 adults with IHD (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 30% females), males were older with a more adverse cluster of cardiovascular risk factors than females. Acute coronary syndrome and non-obstructive coronary artery disease were more prevalent in females versus males. The lower sex-specific T/E2 ratios identified adults with the highest level of serum TxB2 and the lowest NO levels. During a median follow-up of 23.7 months, the lower sex-specific T/E2 was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HR 3.49; 95% CI 1.24-9.80; p = 0.018). In in vitro, platelets incubated with T/E2 ratios comparable to those measured in vivo in the lowest quartile showed increased platelet activation as indicated by higher levels of aggregation and TxB2 production.

Among adults with IHD, higher T/E2 ratio was associated with a lower long-term risk of fatal events. The effect of sex hormones on the platelet thromboxane release may partially explain such finding.

Objective. To evaluate the impact of sex on treatment and survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Iceland. Methods. A retrospective, nationwide cohort study of patients with STEMI (2008-2018) and NSTEMI (2013-2018) and obstructive coronary artery disease. Patient and procedural information were obtained from a registry and electronic health records. Survival was estimated with Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis used to identify risk factors for long-term mortality. Excess mortality from the AMI episode was estimated by comparing the survival with age- and sex-matched population in Iceland at 30-day interval. Results. A total of 1345 STEMI-patients (24% women) and 1249 NSTEMI-patients (24% women) were evaluated. Women with STEMI (mean age: 71 ± 11 vs. 67 ± 12) and NSTEMI (mean age: 69 ± 13 vs. 62 ± 12) were older and less likely to have previous cardiovascular disease. There was neither sex difference in the extent of coronary artery disease nor treatment. Although crude one-year post-STEMI survival was lower for women (88.7% vs. 93.4%, p = .006), female sex was not an independent risk factor after adjusting for age and co-morbidities after STEMI and was protective for NSTEMI (HR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.97). There was excess 30-day mortality in both STEMI and NSTEMI for women compared with sex-, age- and inclusion year-matched Icelandic population, but thereafter the mortality rate was similar. Conclusion. Women and men with AMI in Iceland receive comparable treatment including revascularization and long-term survival appears similar. Prognosis after NSTEMI is better in women, whereas higher early mortality after STEMI may be caused by delays in presentation and diagnosis.