Invasive microcirculatory assessment is a technique used to study the small blood vessels (microcirculation) in the heart, especially in cases of microvascular angina.

Microvascular angina is a type of chest pain caused by problems in the tiny blood vessels of the heart, rather than the large arteries. These small vessels may not deliver enough oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to pain or discomfort, even when major coronary arteries appear healthy on standard tests.

Invasive microcirculatory assessment involves using a catheter (a thin tube) inserted into the coronary arteries to measure blood flow in the microvessels. This is usually done during a coronary angiography, which is a procedure where a contrast dye is injected to visualize the blood vessels. Special tools can then assess blood flow, pressure, and how well the tiny vessels are functioning including how the heart’s small vessels respond to stress.

This type of testing helps us better understand whether a patient’s chest pain is due to issues with the heart’s microcirculation. It is especially useful when traditional imaging tests, like angiograms, show no blockages, yet the patient still experiences symptoms. It helps guide treatment options, offering a more precise way to address the underlying cause of microvascular angina