Original Research

DOI: 10.4244/EIJ-D-23-00778

Effects of age on microvascular function in patients with normal coronary arteries

Tijn P.J. Jansen1, MD; Caïa Crooijmans1, MD; Nico Pijls2, MD, PhD; Valeria Paradies2, MD; Annemiek de Vos3, MD; Aukelien C. Dimitriu-Leen1, MD, PhD; Suzette Elias-Smale1, MD, PhD; Laura Rodwell4, PhD; Niels van Royen1, MD, PhD; Pieter Smits2, MD, PhD; Peter Damman1, MD, PhD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that coronary microvascular function decreases with age, irrespective of the presence of epicardial atherosclerosis.

AIMS: Our aim is to quantitatively investigate the effects of age on microvascular function in patients with normal coronary arteries.

METHODS: In 314 patients with angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA), microcirculatory function was tested using the continuous thermodilution method. In 305 patients, the association between age and both resting and hyperaemic myocardial blood flow (Q), microvascular resistance (Rμ), absolute coronary flow reserve (CFR) and microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) was assessed. In addition, patients were divided into 3 groups to test for differences based on age quartiles (≤52 years [24.9%], 53-64 years [49.2%], ≥65 years [25.9%]).

RESULTS: The mean age was 59±9 years with a range from 22 to 79 years. The mean resting Q (Qrest) was not different in the 3 age groups (88±34 mL/min, 82±29 mL/min, and 86±38 mL/min, R2=0.001; p=0.62). A trend towards a decreasing mean hyperaemic Q (Qmax) was observed with increasing age (223±79 mL/min, 209±84 mL/min, 200±80 mL/min, R2=0.010; p=0.083). The mean resting Rμ (Rμ,rest) were 1,204±460 Wood units (WU), 1,260±411 WU, and 1,289±455 WU (p=0.23). The mean hyperaemic Rμ (Rμ,hyp</sub>) increased significantly with advancing age (429±149 WU, 464±164 WU, 503±162 WU, R2=0.026; p=0.005).

Consequently, MRR decreased with age (3.2±1.2, 3.1±1.0, 2.9±0.9; p=0.038). This trend was present in both the patients with (n=121) and without (n=184) coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).

CONCLUSIONS: There is an age-dependent physiological increase in minimal microvascular resistance and decrease in microvascular function, which is represented by a decreased MRR and is independent of atherosclerosis. The age-dependent decrease in MRR was present in both patients with and without CMD and was most evident in patients with smooth coronary arteries.





Sign in to read
the full article

Forgot your password?
No account yet?
Sign up for free!

Create my pcr account

Join us for free and access thousands of articles from EuroIntervention, as well as presentations, videos, cases from PCRonline.com

Volume 20 Number 11
Jun 3, 2024
Volume 20 Number 11
View full issue


Key metrics

Suggested by Cory

Editorial

10.4244/EIJ-E-24-00011 Jun 3, 2024
The assessment of ANOCA: coming of age?
De Bruyne B and Mahendiran T
free

10.4244/EIJV17I9A123 Oct 20, 2021
Age-related iFR/FFR discordance: does it matter?
Fearon W
free

Original Research

10.4244/EIJ-D-24-00111 Oct 7, 2024
Absolute coronary blood flow across different endotypes of ANOCA
Paradies V et al

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-20-00853 Sep 20, 2021
Prognostic impact and clinical outcomes of coronary flow reserve and hyperaemic microvascular resistance
Toya T et al
free

Original Research

10.4244/EIJ-D-24-00247 Aug 19, 2024
Changes in absolute coronary flow and microvascular resistance during exercise in patients with ANOCA
Zeitouni M et al

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-20-00684 Jul 20, 2021
Normal values of thermodilution-derived absolute coronary blood flow and microvascular resistance in humans
Fournier S et al
free
Trending articles
153.65

Clinical research

10.4244/EIJ-D-20-01125 Oct 20, 2021
An upfront combined strategy for endovascular haemostasis in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Costa G et al
free
54.9

Expert review

10.4244/EIJ-D-21-01010 Jun 24, 2022
Device-related thrombus following left atrial appendage occlusion
Simard T et al
free
43.75

Clinical Research

10.4244/EIJ-D-21-01091 Aug 5, 2022
Lifetime management of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a computed tomography simulation study
Medranda G et al
free
X

The Official Journal of EuroPCR and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)

EuroPCR EAPCI
PCR ESC
Impact factor: 7.6
2023 Journal Citation Reports®
Science Edition (Clarivate Analytics, 2024)
Online ISSN 1969-6213 - Print ISSN 1774-024X
© 2005-2024 Europa Group - All rights reserved