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Cardiologist

Clinical Pharmacist

1. Introduction

2. Case Trailers

3. Objectives

4. Experts

6/8

5. Case Solution

6. Summary

7. Assessment

Please see the graphic for a comparison between MVD and ASCVD.

Attributes

Affected Area

MVD

Small Arteries

MVD affects the small arteries (arterioles) that nourish the heart muscle.

ASCVD

Large Arteries

ASCVD affects the large coronary arteries that deliver blood to the heart

Pathology

Arterial Blockage

In ASCVD the large coronary arteries gradually fill with plaque. This plaque can slow and completely block the flow of blood to the heart.

Arterial Narrowing

In MVD the buildup of plaque spreads evenly within the walls of the small arteries. There may be no obvious blockage, but blood flow is still low.

Affected Patient

Population

Primarily Men

Men, and older women, are more likely to have traditional (sometimes call obstructive) hear disease.

Primarily Women

Women (particularly younger women) are more likely than men to have MVD. Two to 3 million women in the US have MVD, with 90,000 new cases each year.

Diagnosis

Conventional Tests

ASCVD is diagnosed through conventional testing, such as

Coronary angiography. This test uses dye and x-rays to graphically show the insides of the large coronary arteries.

Stress Testing. This test shows how blood flows through the heart during exercise.

Unconventional Tests

Conventional tests for ASCVD aren’t designed to diagnose MVD.

Because MVD symptoms often occur during daily routine tasks, a questionnaire titled the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) is often administered to patients experiencing ischemia with negative angiography results. This questionnaire assesses how well patients are able to perform daily tasks, such as laundry, shopping, and cooking.