Microvascular Resistance Reserve to Assess Microvascular Dysfunction in ANOCA Patients

BACKGROUND Microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) is a new index to assess coronary microvascular (dys)function, which can be easily measured invasively using continuous thermodilution. In contrast to coronary flow reserve (CFR), MRR is independent of epicardial coronary disease and hemodynamic variations. Its measurement is accurate, repro-ducible, and operator independent. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to establish the range of normal values for MRR and to determine an optimal cutoff point. METHODS In this exploratory study in 214 patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease, after excluding significant epicardial disease, all physiological parameters, such as fractional flow reserve, index of micro -vascular resistance, CFR, absolute blood flow, absolute microvascular resistance, and MRR, were measured. On the basis of concordant positive or concordant negative results of index of microvascular resistance and CFR, subgroups of patients were defined with high probability of either normal (n = 122) or abnormal (n = 24) microcirculatory function, and MRR was studied in these groups. RESULTS Mean MRR in the normal group was 3.4 compared with a mean MRR of 1.9 in the abnormal group; these values were significantly different between the groups. MRR >2.7 ruled out coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) with a certainty of 96%, whereas MRR <2.1 indicated the presence of CMD with a similar high certainty of 96%. CONCLUSIONS MRR is a suitable index to distinguish the presence or absence of CMD in patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease. The present data indicate that an MRR of 2.7 virtually excludes the presence of CMD, while an MRR value <2.1 confirms its presence. (J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2023;16:470-481) & COPY; 2023 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Automated summary

Microvascular resistance reserve (MRR), measured invasively using continuous thermodilution, is a new index for assessing coronary microvascular (dys)function. This study aimed to establish normal values for MRR and determine the optimal cutoff point. In patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease, MRR was found to be a suitable index for distinguishing the presence or absence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).