Microvascular Angina is a distinct form of ischemic heart disease arising from dysfunction of the coronary microcirculation rather than obstruction of the epicardial coronary arteries. Patients frequently present with angina-like symptoms despite normal coronary angiograms, leading to underdiagnosis, delayed treatment and significant quality-of-life impairment. As understanding of coronary microvascular dysfunction evolves, clinicians increasingly seek updated insights through evidence-based resources and specialised cardiology conference sessions that explore diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology and personalised management strategies.

This condition is closely linked to abnormalities in endothelial function, smooth-muscle reactivity and impaired vasodilatory reserve. Microvascular spasm, structural remodeling, inflammation and autonomic imbalance all contribute to insufficient myocardial perfusion. The session discusses how advanced non-invasive testing—such as PET, stress cardiac MRI, transthoracic Doppler echocardiography and coronary flow reserve measurement—supports identification of microvascular dysfunction. Additionally, invasive coronary function testing has emerged as a gold standard for assessing flow reserve, resistance indices and acetylcholine-induced spasm.

Symptoms often appear during exertion or stress, similar to obstructive coronary disease. However, because coronary microvascular dysfunction is not visible on angiography, patients may be incorrectly reassured or misdiagnosed with non-cardiac chest pain. This session explains how clinicians can differentiate microvascular angina using structured evaluation, risk-factor assessment and targeted testing. Attendees will also learn how comorbidities such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, sleep disorders and autoimmune disease influence symptom burden and disease severity.

Management strategies require a personalised approach that includes antianginal medications (beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, nitrates and ranolazine), endothelial function enhancers (ACE inhibitors, ARBs and statins), lifestyle modification and comorbidity control. Exercise therapy, cardiac rehabilitation and stress-reduction programmes also play meaningful roles. This session outlines how integrative management reduces angina episodes, improves functional capacity and enhances long-term outcomes.

The programme also highlights the psychosocial dimension of microvascular angina, as patients often face diagnostic uncertainty, anxiety and decreased quality of life due to persistent, unexplained symptoms. By presenting real clinical scenarios, expert faculty illustrate how to communicate effectively, set realistic expectations and guide patients through long-term monitoring.

Attendees will further explore emerging research in microvascular function assessment, including AI-driven flow analysis, advanced imaging biomarkers, endothelial phenotype classification and precision-medicine approaches. With growing interest in female-specific cardiovascular presentation, the session examines why microvascular angina is more prevalent in women and how hormonal, autonomic and microvascular differences contribute to risk.

By the end of this programme, clinicians will be equipped to diagnose microvascular angina accurately, initiate targeted therapy and support personalised care pathways that improve clinical and patient-reported outcomes.