ShareHeart: A patient journey map of patients with ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease based on qualitative research.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To visualise the health care experiences and needs of patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries in a patient journey map. As such, future design challenges can be provided, and it can be used for future healthcare optimization. BACKGROUND: Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries is a chronic cardiac condition caused by vascular dysfunctions. Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries is often unrecognised, significantly impairs daily functioning, and is more prevalent among women. Patients' experiences remain unexplored, and a clear patient-centered care pathway is lacking. DESIGN: A qualitative interpretative research design was performed and the standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR) has been used. METHODS: In total, 36 women were included and participated in eight semi-structured focus group interviews. Thematic analysis was used, and identified themes were further classified using 'patient journey mapping.' Additionally, Picker's 'eight principles of patient-centered care' were linked to the results and integrated in the patient journey map. RESULTS: Participants experienced a lack of familiarity with the specific cardiac condition by healthcare providers, repeated hospitalisation, testing and referrals, shortage of specialised cardiologists, and feelings of not being heard. In addition, needs for a multidisciplinary treatment program (including physical and psychological support), better information provision, and an easily accessible contact person were expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting patient journey map shows how patients experienced and interacted with the current healthcare system. Overall, the results show a complex and long healthcare pathway and important themes for healthcare experiences and needs were identified. Future research could focus on the development and implementation of a patient-centered evidence-based clinical pathway optimising experiences and quality of life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The visual tool can help health care professionals, policy makers, and researchers improve healthcare provision which is patient-centered and tailored to the preferences of patients with ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

Outpatient Management of Patients With Angina With No Obstructive Coronary Arteries: How to Come to a Proper Diagnosis and Therapy.

Two-thirds of women and one-third of men who undergo a clinically indicated coronary angiography for stable angina, have no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary vascular dysfunction is a highly prevalent underlying cause of angina in these so called "Angina with No Obstructive Coronary Arteries (ANOCA)" patients, foremost in middle aged women. Coronary vascular dysfunction encompasses various endotypes, namely epicardial and microvascular coronary spasms, impaired vasodilatation, and increased microvascular resistance. ANOCA patients, especially those with underlying coronary vascular dysfunction, have an adverse cardiovascular prognosis, poor physical functioning, and a reduced quality of life. Since standard ischemia detection tests and coronary angiograms are not designed to diagnose coronary vascular dysfunction, this ischemic heart disease is often overlooked and hence undertreated. But adequate diagnosis is vital, so that treatment can be started to reduce symptoms, reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life and cardiovascular prognosis. The purpose of this review is to give a contemporary overview of ANOCA with focus on coronary vascular dysfunction. We will provide a possible work-up of patients suspected of coronary vascular dysfunction in the outpatient clinical setting, based on the latest scientific insights and international consensus documents. We will discuss the value of ischemia detection testing, and non-invasive and invasive methods to diagnose coronary vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, we will go into pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options including anti-anginal regimens and lifestyle interventions.

Vasomotor dysfunction in patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary artery disease is dominated by vasospasm.

BACKGROUND: Coronary vasomotor dysfunction, comprising endotypes of coronary spasm and/or impaired microvascular dilatation (IMD), is common in patients with angina and no obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA). However, there are discrepant reports regarding the prevalence of these endotypes. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronary vasomotor dysfunction in patients with ANOCA, underlying endotypes, and differences in clinical characteristics. METHODS: Prospective registry of patients with ANOCA that underwent clinically indicated invasive coronary function testing (CFT), including acetylcholine spasm testing (2-200 µg) to diagnose coronary spasm, and adenosine testing (140 µg/kg/min) to diagnose IMD, defined as an index of microvascular resistance ≥25 and/or coronary flow reserve <2.0. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients that completed CFT (88% female, mean age 54 years), 96 (86%) showed vasomotor dysfunction. The majority 93 (97%) had coronary spasm, 63% isolated and 34% combined with IMD. Isolated IMD was rare, occurring in only 3 patients (3%). Hypertension was more prevalent in patients with vasomotor dysfunction compared to those without (39% vs. 7%, p = 0.02). Obesity and a higher severity of angiographic atherosclerotic disease were more prevalent in patients with coronary spasm compared to those without (61% vs. 28%; 40% vs. 0%, respectively, both p < 0.01). No differences in angina characteristics were observed between patients with and without vasomotor dysfunction or between endotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary vasomotor dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients with ANOCA, especially epicardial or microvascular vasospasm, whereas isolated IMD was rare. Performing a CFT without acetylcholine testing should be strongly discouraged.

Absolute Coronary Blood Flow Measured by Continuous Thermodilution in Patients With Ischemia and Nonobstructive Disease.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary continuous thermodilution is a novel technique to quantify absolute coronary flow (Q) and resistance (R) and has potential advantages over current methods such as coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microvascular resistance (IMR). However, no data are available in patients with ischemia and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship of Q and R with the established CFR/IMR in INOCA patients, to explore the potential of absolute Q, and to predict self-reported angina. METHODS: Consecutive INOCA patients (n = 84; 87% women; mean age 56 ± 8 years) underwent coronary function testing, including acetylcholine (ACH) provocation testing, adenosine (ADE) testing (CFR/IMR), and continuous thermodilution (absolute Q and R) with saline-induced hyperemia. RESULTS: ACH testing was abnormal (ACH+) in 87%, and ADE testing (ADE+) in 38%. The median absolute Q was 198 ml/min, and the median absolute R was 416 WU. The absolute R was higher in patients with ADE+ versus ADE- (495 WU vs. 375 WU; p = 0.04) but did not differ between patients with ACH+ versus ACH- (421 WU vs. 409 WU; p = 0.74). Low Q and high R were associated with severe angina (odds ratio: 3.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.16 to 8.28; p = 0.03; and odds ratio: 2.60; 95% confidence interval: 0.99 to 6.81; p = 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, absolute R was higher in patients with abnormal CFR/IMR, whereas both Q and R were unrelated to coronary vasospasm. Q and R were associated with angina, although their exact predictive value should be determined in larger studies.