Antianginal and anti-ischemic effects of nisoldipine and ramipril in patients with syndrome X

Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of coronary microvascular diseases (2023 Edition)

Since the four working groups of the Chinese Society of Cardiology issued first expert consensus on coronary microvascular diseases (CMVD) in 2017, international consensus documents on CMVD have increased rapidly. Although some of these documents made preliminary recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of CMVD, they did not provide classification of recommendations and levels of evidence. In order to summarize recent progress in the field of CMVD, standardize the methods and procedures of diagnosis and treatment, and identify the scientific questions for future research, the four working groups of the Chinese Society of Cardiology updated the 2017 version of the Chinese expert consensus on CMVD and adopted a series of measures to ensure the quality of this document. The current consensus has raised a new classification of CMVD, summarized new epidemiological findings for different types of CMVD, analyzed key pathological and molecular mechanisms, evaluated classical and novel diagnostic technologies, recommended diagnostic pathways and criteria, and therapeutic strategies and medications, for patients with CMVD. In view of the current progress and knowledge gaps of CMVD, future directions were proposed. It is hoped that this expert consensus will further expedite the research progress of CMVD in both basic and clinical scenarios.

Updates on Pharmacologic Management of Microvascular Angina

Microvascular angina (MVA), historically called cardiac syndrome X, refers to angina with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. This female-predominant cardiovascular disorder adds considerable health-related costs due to repeated diagnostic angiography and frequent hospital admissions. Despite the high prevalence of this diagnosis in patients undergoing coronary angiography, it is still a therapeutic challenge for cardiologists. Unlike obstructive coronary artery disease, with multiple evidence-based therapies and management guidelines, little is known regarding the management of MVA. During the last decade, many therapeutic interventions have been suggested for the treatment of MVA. However, there is a lack of summarization tab and update of current knowledge about pharmacologic management of MVA, mostly due to unclear pathophysiology. In this article, we have reviewed the underlying mechanisms of MVA and the outcomes of various medications in patients with this disease. Contrary to vasospastic angina in which normal angiogram is observed as well, nitrates are not effective in the treatment of MVA. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers have the strongest evidence of improving the symptoms. Moreover, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, estrogen, and novel antianginal drugs has had promising outcomes. Investigations are still ongoing for vitamin D, omega-3, incretins, and n-acetyl cysteine, which have resulted in beneficial initial outcomes. We believe that the employment of the available results and results of the future large-scale trials into cardiac care guidelines would help reduce the global cost of cardiac care tremendously.

Management standards for stable coronary artery disease in India

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the important causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally, giving rise to more than 7 million deaths annually. An increasing burden of CAD in India is a major cause of concern with angina being the leading manifestation. Stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) is characterised by episodes of transient central chest pain (angina pectoris), often triggered by exercise, emotion or other forms of stress, generally triggered by a reversible mismatch between myocardial oxygen demand and supply resulting in myocardial ischemia or hypoxia. A stabilised, frequently asymptomatic phase following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is also classified as SCAD. This definition of SCAD also encompasses vasospastic and microvascular angina under the common umbrella.

Coronary endothelial dysfunction in non-obstructive coronary artery disease: Risk, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy

Up to half of patients with signs and symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease have non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NoCAD). Recent evidence demonstrates that two-thirds of patients with NoCAD have demonstrable coronary endothelial dysfunction represented by microvascular or diffuse epicardial spasm following acetylcholine challenge. Patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction are recognized to have significant health services use and morbidity as well as increased risk of developing flow-limiting coronary artery disease and myocardial events, including death. Currently, there are few centers that test for this etiology owing to lack of knowledge, limited evidence for treatment options and invasive diagnostic strategies. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of coronary endothelial dysfunction as a subgroup of NoCAD.

Microvascular angina: angina that predominantly affects women

In women receiving evaluation for suspected ischemic symptoms, a "normal" diagnosis is five times more common than it is in men. These women are often labeled as having cardiac syndrome X, also known as microvascular angina (MVA). MVA is defined as angina pectoris caused by abnormalities of the small coronary arteries, and is characterized by effort chest pain and evidence of myocardial ischemia with a non-invasive stress test, although the coronary arteries can appear normal or near normal by angiography. MVA patients are often neglected due to the assumption of a good prognosis. However, MVA has important prognostic implications and a proper diagnosis is necessary in order to relieve the patients' symptoms and improve clinical outcomes. The coronary microvasculature cannot be directly imaged using coronary angiography, due to the small diameter of the vessels; therefore, the coronary microvascular must be assessed functionally. Treatment of MVA initially includes standard anti-ischemic drugs (β-blockers, calcium antagonists, and nitrates), although control of symptoms is often insufficient. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of MVA.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction assessed by intracoronary acetylcholine provocation testing is a frequent cause of ischemia and angina in patients with exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes and unobstructed coronary arteries

BACKGROUND

The exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is a standard examination in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. However, despite a pathologic result, many patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography do not have any significant epicardial stenosis. In this study, we assessed the relation between a pathologic exercise ECG and coronary microvascular dysfunction in response to intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation in patients without any relevant epicardial stenosis.

HYPOTHESIS

Coronary microvascular dysfunction is significantly more often in patients with angina, unobstructed coronary arteries and a pathologic exercise stress test compared to those without pathologic stress test.

METHODS

This study recruited 137 consecutive patients with exertional angina pectoris who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography between September 2008 and April 2011 (68% women; mean age, 63 ± 10 years). In none of the patients was there a stenosis of >50%. All patients underwent an exercise ECG before angiography and intracoronary ACh provocation testing for assessment of coronary vasomotor responses directly after angiography.

RESULTS

The exercise ECG showed an abnormal result in 69 patients (50%; ST-segment depression ≥0.1 mV and/or reproduction of the patient's usual symptoms). The ACh test revealed a coronary vasomotor abnormality (reproduction of the patient's symptoms, ischemic ECG shifts ± diffuse distal vasoconstriction) in 87 patients (64%). Such a result was significantly more often found in patients with a pathologic exercise ECG (50/69 [72%] vs 19/69 [28%], P = 0.034). There were no other statistically significant differences between patients with and those without pathologic exercise ECG.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary microvascular dysfunction is frequently found in patients with exertional angina pectoris and unobstructed coronary arteries. Such a finding is found significantly more often in presence of a pathologic exercise ECG.

Management of microvascular angina pectoris

Microvascular angina (MVA) is defined as angina pectoris caused by abnormalities of small coronary arteries. In its most typical presentation, MVA is characterized by angina attacks mainly caused by effort, evidence of myocardial ischemia on non-invasive stress tests, but normal coronary arteries at angiography. Patients with stable MVA have excellent long-term prognoses, but often present with persistent and/or worsening of angina symptoms. Treatment of MVA is initially based on standard anti-ischemic drugs (beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and nitrates), but control of symptoms is often insufficient. In these cases, several additional drugs, with different potential anti-ischemic effects, have been proposed, including ranolazine, ivabradine, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, xanthine derivatives, nicorandil, statins, alpha-blockers and, in perimenopausal women, estrogens. In patients with 'refractory MVA', some further alternative therapies (e.g., spinal cord stimulation, pain-inhibiting substances such as imipramine, rehabilitation programs) have shown favorable results.

Group support to improve psychosocial well-being and primary-care demands among women with cardiac syndrome X

BACKGROUND

Women with angina pectoris, a positive exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) for myocardial ischemia and angiographically smooth coronary arteries (cardiac syndrome X), are often characterized by unresolved symptomatology and a poor quality of life. Psychological morbidity and quality of life appear to be related to social support and social isolation. An investigation of group support as an aid to treatment for cardiac syndrome X was therefore undertaken.

METHODS

Forty-nine women with cardiac syndrome X (mean ± standard deviation 61.8 ± 8 years) were randomized to 12 monthly support group meetings or usual care control. The Health Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), SF-36, York Angina Beliefs scale, ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) and a demographic information scale, along with hospital admissions, general practitioner (GP) or cardiologist appointments were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months.

RESULTS

Support group participants maintained higher levels of social support than controls (ESSI score, 17.18 ± 5.35 vs. 14.45 ± 6.98, p = 0.008). Near significant improvements in health beliefs total score (p = 0.068) and threat perception (p = 0.062) were found among the support group compared to the control; 29% of support patients had made one or more GP visits over the duration of the study, compared with 54% of the control group (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Support group participation maintains social support and may reduce health-care demands and misconceived health beliefs among patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Cardiac syndrome X: current concepts

Cardiac syndrome X is a heterogeneous entity, both clinically and pathophysiologically, encompassing a variety of pathogenic mechanisms. Management of this syndrome represents a major challenge to the treating physician. They often seek medical care because of recurring and disabling chest pain, which may imply repetitive and costly invasive and non-invasive investigations. A careful patient evaluation for underlying pathophysiologic mechanism and exclusion of other causes of chest pain along with attention to various psychological aspects is helpful in reducing the stress and suffering of these patients. This article reviews the available literature on the pathophysiology and current controversies surrounding the management of this difficult to treat condition.

Autogenic training to manage symptomology in women with chest pain and normal coronary arteries

OBJECTIVES

To explore autogenic training (AT) as a treatment for psychological morbidity, symptomology, and physiological markers of stress among women with chest pain, a positive exercise test for myocardial ischemia, and normal coronary arteries (cardiac syndrome X).

DESIGN

Fifty-three women with cardiac syndrome X (mean +/- SD age, 57.1 +/- 8 years) were randomized to an 8-week AT program or symptom diary control. Symptom severity and frequency, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI), blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, and plasma catecholamines were measured before and after intervention and at the 8-week follow-up.

RESULTS

Women who underwent AT had improved symptom frequency (8.04 +/- 10.08 vs 1.66 +/- 2.19, P < 0.001) compared with control women and reduced symtom severity (2.08 +/- 1.03 vs 1.23 +/- 1.36, P = 0.02) and frequency (6.11 +/- 3.17 vs 1.66 +/- 2.19, P < G 0.001) post-AT compared with baseline within group. Within-group improvements among women who underwent AT include QLI health functioning (17.80 +/- 5.74 vs 19.41 +/- 5.19, P = 0.04) and CAQ fear (1.53 +/- 0.61 vs 1.35 +/- 0.56, P = 0.02) post-AT and QLI health functioning (17.80 +/- 5.74 vs 20.09 +/- 5.47, P = 0.01), CAQ fear (1.53 +/- 0.61 vs 1.30 +/- 0.67, P = 0.002), CAQ total (1.42 +/- 0.54 vs 1.29 +/- 0.475, P = 0.04), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory trait anxiety (42.95 +/- 11.19 vs 38.68 +/- 11.47, P = 0.01), and QLI quality of life (20.67 +/- 5.37 vs 21.9 +/- 4.89, P = 0.02) at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

An 8-week AT program improves symptom frequency, with near-significant improvements in symptom severity in women with cardiac syndrome X.

Cardiac rehabilitation for the treatment of women with chest pain and normal coronary arteries

OBJECTIVE

To explore cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as a treatment for psychological and physiological morbidity in women with chest pain and normal coronary arteries (cardiac syndrome X).

DESIGN

Sixty-four women aged 57.3+/-8.6 years (mean +/- SD) with cardiac syndrome X were randomly assigned to an 8-week phase III CR exercise program or symptom monitoring control. All women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Health Anxiety Questionnaire, and Short Form-36 before and after intervention and at the 8-week follow-up. CR patients underwent physical assessment before and after CR.

RESULTS

After CR, patients demonstrated improved symptom severity (2.0+/-0.8 vs 1.26+/-1.1, P=0.009), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression score (8.0+/-3.4 vs 6.4+/-3.1, P=0.04), total Health Anxiety Questionnaire score (12.0+/-5.5 vs 9.5+/-6.0, P=0.008), health worry (4.5+/-3.1 vs 3.52+/-2.4, P=0.025) and interference (2.4+/-1.8 vs 1.6+/-1.8, P=0.004), SF-36 physical functioning (53.1+/-20.4 vs 62.3+/-23.9, P = 0.006), energy (36.3+/-20.7 vs 49.8+/-19.1, P<0.001), pain (49.9+/-20.7 vs 58.1+/-22.9, P=0.028), and general health (48.8+/-17.9 vs 57.6+/-17.0, P=0.01) not found among the control women. Improvements were maintained at follow-up. CR patients showed significant improvements in Shuttle Walk Test performance (326.8+/-111.0 vs 423.6+/-133.2 m, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (84.7+/-9.4 vs 79.7+/-7.3 mm Hg, P=0.007), and body mass index (29.1+/-6.0 vs 28.4+/-6.17 kg/m2, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

An 8-week phase III CR program improves exercise tolerance, quality of life, psychological morbidity, symptom severity, and cardiovascular risk factors in women with cardiac syndrome X.

Cardiac syndrome X

Cardiac syndrome X, the triad of angina pectoris, a positive exercise electrocardiogram for myocardial ischaemia and angiographically smooth coronary arteries, is frequently associated with debilitating symptomology, increased psychological morbidity and a poor quality of life. While various avenues of research have been undertaken, there are as yet no definitive conclusions regarding the exact pathogenesis of the condition. A number of physiological mechanisms have been explored, including the existence of underlying myocardial ischaemia, suggested endothelial dysfunction, abnormal pain perception, hormonal irregularities and insulin resistance, while the psychological impact of the condition has also been explored. Various treatment regimens have also been the subject of research with varying degrees of success. The heterogeneous nature of the patient population suggests that the mechanistic pathway may be multifactorial, while a comprehensive treatment regimen including both psychosocial and pharmacological interventions may offer the best outcome for patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Recent developments in microvascular angina

Microvascular angina (Syndrome X) is an extremely heterogeneous clinical entity that is the product of genetic, coronary microvascular, metabolic, and clinical factors, which combine together to produce distinct cardiac manifestations and complications. The interactions of these abnormalities remain poorly understood. The diagnosis is considered in patients with anginal symptoms and no epicardial coronary narrowing. Therapy is also problematic, with beta-blockers as first-line pharmacotherapy followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.