Assessment of coronary microcirculation in a swine animal model

Abstract

Coronary microvascular dysfunction has important prognostic implications. Several hemodynamic indexes, such as coronary flow reserve (CFR), microvascular resistance, and zero-flow pressure (Pzf), were used to establish the most reliable index to assess coronary microcirculation. Fifteen swine were instrumented with a flow probe, and a pressure wire was advanced into the distal left anterior descending artery. Adenosine was used to produce maximum hyperemia. Microspheres were used to create microvascular dysfunction. An occluder was used to produce stenosis. Blood flow from the probe (Q̇p), aortic pressure, distal coronary pressure, and right atrium pressure were recorded. Angiographic flow (Q̇a) was calculated using a time-density curve. Flow probe-based CFR and angiographic CFR were calculated using Q̇p and Q̇a, respectively. Flow probe-based (NMRqh) and angiographic normalized microvascular resistance (NMRah) were determined using Q̇p and Q̇a, respectively, during hyperemia. Pzf was calculated using Q̇p and distal coronary pressure. Two series of receiver operating characteristic curves were generated: normal epicardial artery model (N model) and stenosis model (S model). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for flow probe-based CFR, angiographic CFR, NMRqh, NMRah, and Pzf were 0.855, 0.836, 0.976, 0.956, and 0.855 in N model and 0.737, 0.700, 0.935, 0.889, and 0.698 in S model. Both NMRqh and NMRah were significantly more reliable than CFR and Pzf in detecting the microvascular deterioration. Compared with CFR and Pzf, NMR provided a more accurate assessment of microcirculation. This improved accuracy was more prevalent when stenosis existed. Moreover, NMRah is potentially a less invasive method for assessing coronary microcirculation.