The role of coronary microvascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common condition with few effective therapies and hence represents a major healthcare burden. The clinical syndrome of HFpEF can be caused by varying pathophysiological processes, with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) proposed as one of the aetiologies, although confirming causality has been challenging. CMD is characterised by the inability of the coronary vasculature to augment blood flow in response to a physiological stressor and has been established as the driver of angina in patients with non-obstructed coronaries (ANOCA), and this has subsequently led to efficacious endotype-directed therapies. CMD is also highly prevalent among sufferers of HFpEF and may represent a novel treatment target for this particular endotype of this condition. This review aims to discuss the role of the microcirculation in the healthy heart how it's dysfunction may precipitate HFpEF and explore the current diagnostic tools available. We also discuss the gaps in evidence and where we believe future research should be focussed.