Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report

The study presents a case of INOCA attributed to CMVD in a 53-year-old male patient experiencing exertional angina, despite the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis on angiography. The patient presented with reversible myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging, with an...

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Main Authors: Wei Qi, Yazheng Zhang, Le Wang, Kai Hou, Ting Li, Jiachun Lang, Hongliang Cong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1556064/full
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author Wei Qi
Wei Qi
Yazheng Zhang
Yazheng Zhang
Le Wang
Le Wang
Kai Hou
Kai Hou
Ting Li
Ting Li
Jiachun Lang
Jiachun Lang
Hongliang Cong
Hongliang Cong
author_facet Wei Qi
Wei Qi
Yazheng Zhang
Yazheng Zhang
Le Wang
Le Wang
Kai Hou
Kai Hou
Ting Li
Ting Li
Jiachun Lang
Jiachun Lang
Hongliang Cong
Hongliang Cong
author_sort Wei Qi
collection DOAJ
description The study presents a case of INOCA attributed to CMVD in a 53-year-old male patient experiencing exertional angina, despite the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis on angiography. The patient presented with reversible myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging, with an ischemic area accounting for 12% of the left ventricular wall. Diagnostic tests revealed an elevated index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR = 46.3) and a quantitative flow ratio (QFR = 0.94), confirming CMVD. Genetic testing identified a NOTCH1 c.3862G>A variant in the proband and some family members, suggesting a potential contribution to CMVD pathogenesis through impaired vascular remodeling and microcirculatory regulation. After six months of targeted treatment with nicorandil, coenzyme Q10, trimetazidine, and rosuvastatin, the patient's symptoms resolved, and myocardial ischemia reversed. While an MYH7 variant was also detected, its clinical relevance was ruled out due to the family's absence of associated cardiomyopathy phenotypes. The NOTCH1 gene may play a potential role in INOCA caused by CMVD, however, further research is needed to elucidate its underlying regulatory mechanisms. The findings provide a foundation for precise diagnosis and personalized management of INOCA.
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series Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
spelling doaj-art-496f3b684d0044dfbc7ed9980c147cfb2025-08-20T03:06:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-04-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.15560641556064Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case reportWei Qi0Wei Qi1Yazheng Zhang2Yazheng Zhang3Le Wang4Le Wang5Kai Hou6Kai Hou7Ting Li8Ting Li9Jiachun Lang10Jiachun Lang11Hongliang Cong12Hongliang Cong13Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaResearch Center, Pu’er People’s Hospital, Pu'er City, Yunnan, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, ChinaThe study presents a case of INOCA attributed to CMVD in a 53-year-old male patient experiencing exertional angina, despite the absence of significant coronary artery stenosis on angiography. The patient presented with reversible myocardial ischemia detected by myocardial perfusion imaging, with an ischemic area accounting for 12% of the left ventricular wall. Diagnostic tests revealed an elevated index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR = 46.3) and a quantitative flow ratio (QFR = 0.94), confirming CMVD. Genetic testing identified a NOTCH1 c.3862G>A variant in the proband and some family members, suggesting a potential contribution to CMVD pathogenesis through impaired vascular remodeling and microcirculatory regulation. After six months of targeted treatment with nicorandil, coenzyme Q10, trimetazidine, and rosuvastatin, the patient's symptoms resolved, and myocardial ischemia reversed. While an MYH7 variant was also detected, its clinical relevance was ruled out due to the family's absence of associated cardiomyopathy phenotypes. The NOTCH1 gene may play a potential role in INOCA caused by CMVD, however, further research is needed to elucidate its underlying regulatory mechanisms. The findings provide a foundation for precise diagnosis and personalized management of INOCA.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1556064/fullcoronary arteriesmicrocirculation dysfunctionmyocardial ischemiaanginavariation
spellingShingle Wei Qi
Wei Qi
Yazheng Zhang
Yazheng Zhang
Le Wang
Le Wang
Kai Hou
Kai Hou
Ting Li
Ting Li
Jiachun Lang
Jiachun Lang
Hongliang Cong
Hongliang Cong
Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
coronary arteries
microcirculation dysfunction
myocardial ischemia
angina
variation
title Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
title_full Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
title_fullStr Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
title_short Coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a case report
title_sort coronary microcirculation dysfunction causing ischemia with non obstructive coronary arteries a case report
topic coronary arteries
microcirculation dysfunction
myocardial ischemia
angina
variation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1556064/full
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