Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease and Risk of Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is atherosclerotic plaque that would not be expected to obstruct blood flow or result in anginal symptoms. Although such lesions are relatively common, occurring in 10% to 25% of patients undergoing coronary angiography,^1,2 their presence has been characterized as “insignificant” or “no significant CAD” in the medical literature.^3-6 However, this perception of nonobstructive CAD may be incorrect, because prior studies have noted that the majority of plaque ruptures and resultant myocardial infarctions (MIs) arise from nonobstructive plaques.^7-13