DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL STRESS TESTING PROTOCOL TO DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORONARY MICROVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION AND DIASTOLOGY IN WOMEN WITH ANGINA BUT NO EVIDENCE OF OBSTRUCTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Summary

Microvascular coronary dysfunction (MCD) (abnormities in small blood vessels/arteries in heart) with symptoms of persistent chest pain, primarily impacts women. There are an estimated 2-3 million women in the US with MCD and about 100,000 new cases annually. Recent data from our research group suggests that coronary microvascular disease impairs the way the heart relaxes. This pilot study will attempt to exacerbate this phenotype in an effort to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease. The investigators will recruit 30 volunteers total (10 healthy calibration subjects, 10 women with microvascular disease, and 10 age-match women for the group with microvascular disease). Subjects will undergo a series of "stress" maneuvers in conjunction with advanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Eligibility

Age range

18–60 years

Sex

Female

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Other
  Handgrip

  Subjects will be asked to squeeze and handgrip dynamometer to increase cardiac metabolic demand

• Other
  Altitude simulation

  Subjects will breathe a lower concentration of oxygen to simulate the effects of altitude.

• Other
  Leg exercise

  Subjects will perform leg exercise to increase metabolic demand.

Location