Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42428659›Full record

ReviewCardiovascular diagnosis and therapy2026

Coronary microvascular dysfunction: a narrative review.

Joseph M O'Brien, Thomas J Ford, Andy Yong, Vishal Goel, Jon Spiro, Peter J Psaltis, Adam J Brown, Derek P Chew, Dennis T L Wong

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Joseph M O'BrienMonash Heart, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Thomas J FordDepartment of Cardiology, Gosford Hospital, NSW, Australia.
Andy YongDepartment of Cardiology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Vishal GoelMonash Heart, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Jon SpiroDepartment of Cardiology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
Peter J PsaltisLifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Adam J BrownMonash Heart, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Derek P ChewMonash Heart, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Dennis T L WongMonash Heart, Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and Objective: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) describes pathology within the microcirculation of the coronary arterial tree. Patients with this condition present similarly to macrovascular coronary disease, and it remains challenging to diagnose using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) alone. CMD is a cause of frequent hospital separations, and due to limitations in existing diagnostic techniques goes under-diagnosed. There is increasing interest amongst specialists, as reflected in recent American, European, and Japanese guidelines. This review seeks to present a thorough overview of recent research on CMD, outlining its pathophysiology, diagnostic insights, prognosis, available treatment options, and future directions of research and management. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed [1990-2024] was conducted, including English-language original research, reviews, and consensus documents. Articles were selected independently by two reviewers. Key Content and Findings: The incidence of CMD is increasing due to greater recognition and improved availability of coronary physiological assessment. CMD should be considered in patients with symptoms of angina without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) identified on ICA or computed tomography (CT). In addition to existing invasive techniques, non-invasive methods of diagnosis are emerging. There is a substantial body of evidence linking CMD with inflammatory conditions, potentially making this pathway a novel therapeutic target. Previously thought to bear no mortality effect, registry data is showing reduction in not only quality of life metrics but elevated risk of cardiovascular events in this cohort. Medical options are limited, with variable patient response. Conclusions: CMD is a heterogeneous condition presenting diagnostic challenges, refractory symptoms, and evolving recognition of its prognostic significance. Emerging research focuses on non-invasive diagnostics and novel therapies to bridge treatment gaps. Large-scale trials are needed to assess their impact on clinical outcomes.

Indexed as

anginacomputed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA)Coronary catheterizationcoronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD)ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA)

Identifiers

PMID42428659
PMCPMC13345784

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.