Nonatherosclerotic coronary artery diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases including ischaemic heart disease account for major morbidity and mortality. In western societies, atherosclerosis is certainly the leading cause of coronary artery disease. However, some less frequent diseases that can also affect the coronary arteries should not be neglected either. This involves a wide range of various diseases. They include congenital coronary artery anomalies, spontaneous dissections (often associated with fibromuscular dysplasia), myocardial bridging, and various systemic inflammatory diseases that can affect the coronary arteries in different ways. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging studies. The treatment depends on the particular disease, and even though some conditions may mimic atherosclerotic disease, the outcomes of standard procedures may be less satisfactory, or even inadequate.