Invasive Endotyping in Patients With Angina and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries in the 2024 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes

AIMS

Chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) occur commonly in the absence of flow-limiting epicardial coronary stenosis. Ischaemia or angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA/ANOCA) may be caused by coronary microvascular disease, coronary artery spasm, myocardial bridging, diffuse atherosclerosis, or a combination of disorders.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We highlight the new recommendations in the 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on CCS relevant to the diagnosis and management of INOCA/ANOCA. The guidelines place a new emphasis on consideration of INOCA/ANOCA early during cardiovascular risk stratification and the initial diagnostic workup for chest pain. There is a new Class I recommendation for the availability of invasive coronary function testing (CFT) at the time of initial coronary angiography, when the mechanisms of chest pain are uncertain after non-invasive testing, and in patients with established INOCA/ANOCA who have persistent symptoms and poor quality of life despite medical therapy. Once underlying disorders have been identified based on the results of invasive CFT, the ESC guidelines emphasize a patient-centred, mechanism-based approach to medical treatment of INOCA/ANOCA to improve the symptoms and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The 2024 ESC CCS guidelines provide a new vision for the diagnosis and management of ANOCA/INOCA, with an expanded role for invasive CFT and targeted medical therapy to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with angina.

Quantitative perfusion by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging reveals compromised myocardial perfusion in patients with angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease

INTRODUCTION

Stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) effectively detects myocardial ischemia. In angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA), visually assessed first-pass perfusion often appears normal. Automated quantitative perfusion (QP) might benefit ANOCA diagnosis, offering absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR).

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of QP in detecting ANOCA.

METHODS

This study compared fully automated QP CMR in ANOCA patients with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent adenosine stress perfusion CMR, including visual assessment and quantification of MBF and MPR. ANOCA patients underwent coronary function testing to identify vasospasm and/or coronary microvascular dysfunction.

RESULTS

Twenty-four ANOCA patients (83% women, 57 ± 9 years) and 25 healthy controls (80% women, 56 ± 7 years) were included. Visual perfusion assessment did not differ between groups (p = 0.54). Additionally, no differences in resting MBF were observed. However, ANOCA patients had significantly lower global MBF during stress (2.43 ± 0.72 vs 2.99 ± 0.65 ml/g/min, p < 0.01) and a significantly lower global MPR (2.24 ± 0.79 vs 2.68 ± 0.64, p = 0.04) compared to healthy controls. MPR was significantly reduced in the RCA territory in ANOCA patients (2.16 ± 0.71 vs 2.69 ± 0.69, p = 0.01), with no significant differences in other coronary territories. MPR did not significantly differ between ANOCA endotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

ANOCA patients display reduced global MPR, suggesting compromised perfusion. Variation in MPR across coronary territories highlights the importance of assessing perfusion in all teritories. These findings are promising and support the use of QP for non-invasive detection of vasomotor dysfunction in ANOCA patients.

PRE-REGISTERED CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

The pre-registered clinical trial number is NL-OMON23861.

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Vasospastic Angina-Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management Strategies

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading public health problems in the world in terms of mortality and economic burden from the disease. Traditionally, the focus of research and clinical pathways leading to the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease was on the more common variant of the disease resulting from atherosclerosis in the epicardial coronary arteries. However, coronary microvasculature, representing the vast majority of the total heart circulation, has the greatest influence on overall coronary resistance and, therefore, blood flow. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), characterized by structural or functional abnormalities in the microvasculature, significantly impacts myocardial perfusion. Endothelial dysfunction results in inadequate coronary dilation during exercise or spontaneous spasm in the microvasculature or epicardial arteries. A significant proportion of people presenting for coronary angiography in the context of angina have unobstructed epicardial coronary arteries yet are falsely reassured about the benign nature of their condition. Meanwhile, increasing evidence indicates that patients diagnosed with CMD as well as vasospastic angina (VSA) face an increased risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACEs), including death. The aim of this review is to outline the current practice with regard to invasive and non-invasive methods of CMD and VSA diagnosis and assess the evidence supporting the existing treatment strategies. These include endotype-specific pharmacological therapies, a holistic approach to lifestyle modifications and risk factor management and novel non-pharmacological therapies. Furthermore, the review highlights critical gaps in research and suggests potential areas for future investigation, to improve understanding and management of these conditions.

Quality of Life Outcomes With a Risk-Based Precision Testing Strategy Versus Usual Testing in Stable Patients With Suspected Coronary Disease: Results From the PRECISE Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

The PRECISE (Prospective Randomized Trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms and Revascularization) trial compared an investigational precision diagnostic testing strategy (n=1057) with usual testing (n=1046) in patients with stable chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease. Quality of life (QOL) outcomes were a prespecified secondary end point.

METHODS

We assessed QOL by structured interviews in all trial participants at baseline and 45 days, 6 months, and 12 months postrandomization. QOL assessments included angina-related QOL (19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ-19]), generic health status (EQ-5D), and a 4-item care satisfaction survey (at 45 days only). The prespecified primary comparison was the 6-month SAQ Summary score outcomes (scale, 0 to 100; higher scores indicate greater health status). QOL data collection rates were high, with 99% complete baseline SAQ scores and 86.5% complete at the 6-month primary comparison follow-up. All comparisons were made as randomized.

RESULTS

At baseline, mean SAQ Summary scores were 70.9 in the Precision Strategy group (n=1050) and 70.4 in the Usual Testing group (n=1042). By 6 months, mean SAQ Summary scores had improved to 89.9 in the Precision Strategy group and 89.2 in the Usual Testing group, with a mean adjusted difference of 0.8 (95% CI, -0.3 to 2.0). The SAQ component scores showed similar improvement from baseline in both groups and no statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences between the 2 groups at any follow-up time point. By 6 months, 66% of patients in both groups were chest pain-free. EQ-5D visual analog scores also improved from baseline and showed no difference between groups during follow-up. Care satisfaction scores were high and similar at 45 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In stable patients with symptoms suggesting coronary artery disease, angina-related and overall QOL improved substantially over the initial 6 months independent of the testing strategy assigned.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03702244.

Association Between Coronary Artery Spasm and Atherosclerotic Disease

In at least one-half of the patients with angina or ischemia and nonobstructive coronary arteries undergoing coronary function testing, coronary artery spasm (CAS) is detected. CAS is associated with an adverse prognosis regarding recurrent complaints and ischemic events. Current treatment options are mainly focused on the complaints, not on the underlying pathophysiological process. In this review we discuss available evidence regarding the presence, amount, and morphology of atherosclerosis in CAS patients. The reviewed evidence confirmed that atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaque characteristics are often detected in patients with CAS. The amount of atherosclerosis is higher in patients with focal CAS compared with patients with diffuse CAS. Severity of atherosclerosis is associated with the presence of CAS and the prognosis in CAS patients with atherosclerotic stenosis is worse. Therefore, CAS patients with atherosclerosis might benefit from targeted atherosclerotic treatment. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the exact relation between atherosclerosis and CAS.

Comprehensive diagnosis in chronic coronary syndromes combining angiography and intracoronary testing: the AID-ANGIO study

BACKGROUND

The diagnostic yield of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) in contemporary practice is uncertain.

AIMS

We investigated the value of an advanced invasive diagnosis (AID) strategy combining angiography and intracoronary testing.

METHODS

AID-ANGIO is an all-comers, prospective, multicentre study enrolling CCS patients referred for ICA. Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) was investigated with angiography and pressure guidewires. In the absence of obstructive CAD, intracoronary testing for ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) was performed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a cause of ischaemia identified by the AID strategy. To assess the effect of AID on decision-making, an initial therapeutic plan was first prepared by clinical cardiologists based on ICA and medical information. Subsequently, based on AID data, a final therapeutic plan was drafted by clinical and interventional cardiologists (Ischaemia Team).

RESULTS

We enrolled 317 patients (44.2% female). Based on ICA, obstructive CAD was diagnosed in 32.2% of patients. With the AID strategy, a cause of myocardial ischaemia was identified in 84.2% (p<0.001): obstructive CAD in 39.1% and INOCA in 45.1%. Only 15.8% of patients did not show any abnormalities. Modification of the original treatment plan with the AID strategy occurred in 59.9% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In assessing ischaemia-generating coronary abnormalities, prespecified use of the AID strategy was associated with a 2.6-fold increase in diagnostic yield compared with ICA (84.2% vs 32.2%, respectively), largely due to the identification of INOCA. Modification of the therapeutic plan with the AID strategy occurred in 59.9% of cases. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05635994).

Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Utility of Coronary Angiography Versus Coronary Function Testing in Women With Angina and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries

BACKGROUND

Approximately 50% of women referred for invasive coronary angiography have angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries, which includes coronary microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina, and other vasomotor disorders. We sought to determine the real-world diagnostic yield of invasive coronary angiography and coronary function testing in women with angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From 2018 to 2023, we enrolled 198 women who underwent either coronary angiography (CA) alone (n=99) or coronary function testing (CFT; n=99). Mean±SD age was 62±10 years (CA alone) compared with 57±10 years (CFT). Coronary angiography was interpreted as nonobstructive coronary artery disease more frequently after CA alone (79% versus 52%). Of the women who underwent CFT, 82% (N=81) were found to have vasomotor disorders, including coronary microvascular dysfunction (27%), vasospastic angina (32%), mixed coronary microvascular dysfunction/vasospastic angina (16%), endothelial dysfunction (10%; without spasm), elevated resting flow (2%), or symptomatic myocardial bridging (4%). Compared with women undergoing CA alone, medications were changed more frequently after CFT at 24 hours (41% versus 65%; P=0.001) and between 24 hours and 30 days (30% versus 44%; P=0.04) with intensification of antianginal therapy (79% versus 92%; P<0.0001) and increased use of calcium channel blockers (36% versus 63%; P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that women presenting with suspected ischemic heart disease undergoing CA alone only received an anatomic diagnosis, whereas >80% of women undergoing CFT received a specific diagnosis of a coronary vasomotor disorder and greater intensification of antianginal therapy.

Objective Ischemia, Subjective Angina, and Psychological Distress in Angina With No Obstructive Coronary Disease

BACKGROUND

Angina with no obstructive coronary disease (ANOCA) and ischemia with no obstructive coronary disease, prevalent yet underrecognized conditions, mostly affect women. Previous studies rarely distinguished between them. We aimed to compare the prevalence of objective ischemia through various examinations in women with ANOCA and assess the impact of objective and subjective ischemia on their mental health.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 84 eligible women with ANOCA and 42 controls underwent mental stress, pharmacological stress, exercise stress, and Holter testing. Objective evidence of myocardial ischemia was assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography and ECG, and subjective symptoms were graded using the Canadian Cardiovascular Society scale (CCS). Psychological assessments were conducted using 6 scales. Among 84 women with ANOCA, 37 (44%) received a diagnosis of ischemia with no obstructive coronary disease following mental stress testing, 20 (28.6%) through pharmacological stress testing, 14 (21.2%) via exercise stress testing, and 24 (32.9%) from Holter. Mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia was more prevalent (P<0.05). Among 54 patients with ANOCA who completed all tests, 30% showed no ischemia, and only 1 (1.9%) showed ischemia in all tests. In addition, patients with ANOCA had higher psychological scores than controls (P<0.01). No significant differences was observed in psychological scores between ANOCA with positive and negative ischemia test results (P>0.05). However, ANOCA with milder angina (CCS I) exhibited higher scores across the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version and a higher prevalence of Type D personality traits (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ANOCA, the positive rate of myocardial ischemia exhibits variability among several noninvasive tests. A worsened psychological state is more closely linked to milder angina symptoms than to ischemia performance, highlighting the importance of focusing on symptom management in their psychological care.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03982901.

Stratified medicine for acute and chronic coronary syndromes: A patient-tailored approach

The traditional approach to management of cardiovascular disease relies on grouping clinical presentations with common signs and symptoms into pre-specified disease pathways, all uniformly treated according to evidence-based guidelines ("one-size-fits-all"). The goal of precision medicine is to provide the right treatment to the right patients at the right time, combining data from time honoured sources (e.g., history, physical examination, imaging, laboratory) and those provided by multi-omics technologies. In patients with ischemic heart disease, biomarkers and intravascular assessment can be used to identify endotypes with different pathophysiology who may benefit from distinct treatments. This review discusses strategies for the application of stratified management to patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

Comparison of Baseline and Post-Nitrate Exercise Testing in Patients with Angina but Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries with Different Acetylcholine Test Results

Background: Intracoronary acetylcholine testing may induce epicardial coronary artery spasm (CAS) or coronary microvascular spasm (CMVS) in patients with angina syndromes but non-obstructive coronary artery disease, but their causal role in individual patients is not always clear. In this prospective, observational single-center study, we aimed to assess whether (1) the induction of myocardial ischemia/angina by electrocardiogram (ECG) exercise stress test (EST) differs between patients showing different results in response to acetylcholine testing (i.e., CAS, CMVS, or no spasm); (2) the preventive administration of short-acting nitrates has any different effects on the EST of those patients who showed a positive basal EST. We expected that if exercise-induced angina and/or ischemic ECG changes are related to CAS, they should improve after nitrates administration, whereas they should not significantly improve if they are caused by CMVS. Methods: We enrolled 81 patients with angina syndromes and non-obstructive coronary artery disease, who were divided into three groups according to acetylcholine testing: 40 patients with CAS (CAS-group), 14 with CMVS (CMVS-groups), and 27 with a negative test (NEG-group). All patients underwent a basal EST (B-EST). Patients with a positive B-EST repeated the test 24-48 h later, 5 min after the administration of short-acting nitrates (N-EST). Results: There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of the B-EST results. B-EST was positive in eight (20%) patients in the CAS-group, seven (50%) in the CMVS-group, and six (22%) in the NEG-group (p = 0.076). N-EST, performed in eight, six, and five of these patients, also showed similar results in the three groups. Furthermore, the N-EST results also did not significantly differ compared to B-EST in any group, remaining positive in seven (87.5%), four (66.7%), and four (80%) patients in the CAS-group, CMVS-group, and NEG-group, respectively (p = 0.78). Conclusions: Our data show that patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease show largely comparable results of the ECG exercise stress test and similar poor effects of short-acting nitrates on abnormal ECG exercise stress test results. On the whole, our findings suggest caution in attributing to the results of Ach testing a definite causal role for the clinical syndrome in individual patients.