Role of different echocardiographic modalities in the assessment of microvascular function in women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries

Abstract

This review summarizes current knowledge about echocardiographic modalities used to assess microvascular function and left ventricular (LV) systolic function in women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA). Although the entire pathophysiological background of this clinical entity still remains elusive, it is primarily linked to microvascular dysfunction which can be assessed by coronary flow velocity reserve. Subtle impairments of LV systolic function in women with INOCA are difficult to assess by interpretation of wall motion abnormalities. LV longitudinal function impairment is considered to be an early marker of subclinical systolic dysfunction and can be assessed by global longitudinal strain quantification.

Keywords: INOCA; coronary flow velocity reserve; left ventricular global longitudinal strain; microvascular dysfunction; stress echocardiography.