Diagnostic Puzzles and Cause-Targeted Treatment Strategies in Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries: An Updated Review

Abstract

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a distinct subtype of myocardial infarction (MI), occurring in about 8–10% of spontaneous MI cases referred for coronary angiography. Unlike MI with obstructive coronary artery disease, MINOCA’s pathogenesis is more intricate and heterogeneous, involving mechanisms such as coronary thromboembolism, coronary vasospasm, microvascular dysfunction, dissection, or plaque rupture. Diagnosing MINOCA presents challenges and includes invasive and non-invasive strategies aiming to differentiate it from alternative diagnoses and confirm the criteria of elevated cardiac biomarkers, non-obstructive coronary arteries, and the absence of alternate explanations for the acute presentation. Tailored management strategies for MINOCA hinge on identifying the underlying cause of the infarction, necessitating systematic diagnostic approaches. Furthermore, determining the optimal post-MINOCA medication regimen remains uncertain. This review aims to comprehensively address the current state of knowledge, encompassing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, in the context of MINOCA while also highlighting the evolving landscape and future directions for advancing our understanding and management of this intricate myocardial infarction subtype.

Keywords

• myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)
• pathophysiology and diagnosis
• cause-targeted therapy